

Eat smaller, more frequent meals and take your time when eating to relieve gas. Relaxed muscles decrease digestion, resulting in increased gas, bloating, and unpleasant sensations in your stomach. You may also request a pregnancy massage for back discomfort from your partner or a friend, or schedule a prenatal massage with a practitioner.īecause of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes muscles throughout your body, particularly your digestive tract, your body is creating far more gas than usual. Weight training, prenatal yoga, walking, swimming, and pelvic tilts can all assist to strengthen muscles and relieve pain. Your abdominal muscles get weaker as your uterus develops, putting additional tension on your lower back. Throughout pregnancy, many women have back discomfort. However, any lumps that are hard or otherwise worrying should be reported to your doctor. It is unlikely for a pregnant woman to have something serious (such as breast cancer). These are often benign and might be milk-filled cysts (galactoceles) or benign breast cancers (fibroadenomas).

Pregnant women may also have lumps and bumps in their breasts. You’ve likely observed changes in the breast such as painful nipples, breast discomfort, visible veins, colour changes, and larger areola bumps. If you’re having problems staying organized in your everyday life, consider simplifying when feasible, asking for help, and using your phone’s calendar and other applications. Nobody knows why this happens, but it appears that a mix of stress and worry, exhaustion, and hormones may cause forgetfulness during pregnancy. Is “pregnancy brain” a real thing? Scientists aren’t sure, but many expectant mothers experience times of absentmindedness and difficulty focusing. If you have a severe headache or are experiencing a headache for the first time, contact your physician. A severe headache in the second or third trimester, on the other hand, might be an indication of preeclampsia. Headaches are frequent during pregnancy and can be triggered by stress, dehydration, insufficient sleep, coffee withdrawal, hormonal changes, and other common factors. This condition can cause serious health problems for both you and your baby. For example, the sonographer may spot an abnormal growth of fluid in the uterus (hydramnios). In some cases, the ultrasound may reveal potential problems with the pregnancy. You might see your baby sucking his or her thumb or even squirming around. The ultrasound may also give you a glimpse of your baby’s activities. These measurements can help your healthcare provider check your baby’s growth and development. The technician will likely take measurements of the head, abdomen, and femur (thighbone). Your baby’s organs should also be visible on the ultrasound. You may be able to see your baby’s arms and legs, as well as the beginnings of fingers and toes. The head should make up about half of that length. However, this exam can provide important information about your baby’s development and well-being.Īt 18 weeks, your baby should measure about 15 cm long from the top of the head to the bottom of the rump. Your 18-week ultrasound will likely be similar to previous ultrasounds you’ve had. The transducer emits sound waves that create an image of your baby on a monitor. Here’s a look at what this important exam involves.ĭuring a typical ultrasound, the technician will place gel on your abdomen and then move a hand-held device called a transducer over your skin.


If you’re pregnant, you may be curious about what to expect at your 18-week ultrasound.
