Your pregnancy at 18 weeks

Do you see what I see?

From 18-20 weeks you will be offered your anomaly scan where the sonographer will check your baby in detail to see they are growing as they should – this is likely to be the last time you see your baby until you hold them in your arms!!! Baby Your baby has grown more than 2cm within the last week and is now the size of a sweet potato approx. 14.2cm head to bottom. Amazingly you can now visibly see eyelashes and eyebrows on your baby’s little face and their eyes can move behind their closed eyelids. If you do have your scan this week, then you may be asked if you want to know your baby’s gender, which is exciting for some couples while others like a surprise (although some hospitals may not give you this option). Mum Your bump continues to grow, and you may start noticing a dark line running down your stomach which is called the linea nigra. This is completely normal and caused by skin pigmentation and will most probably vanish a few weeks / months after baby is born. When was the last time you had a dental check-up?

During pregnancy and a year after baby is born, mums can have free dental checks, so it is worth booking one in. Why, may you ask? Well, during pregnancy you are more likely to suffer from gum disease, due to those pesky hormones again and plaque build-up, so why not take advantage of the free care while you can.

This article has been written using the latest guidance and information from trusted sources, primarily the NHS. This information should not replace the advice from professional medical advice.