Pregnancy Week 18
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Your Baby's Growth and Development
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During pregnancy week 18 your baby's heart is well developed. While it still has a lot of growing to do, your doctor may be able to detect any heart defects by about this time. Ultrasound is a tool doctors commonly use to determine whether a baby may have congenital abnormalities in the heart requiring attention before or after delivery. You can now listen to your unborn baby's heart sounds.
While no one wants to hear anything is wrong with their baby, the earlier a problem is detected the more time you have to plan for appropriate interventions or surgeries to help ensure your baby's health and well being.
During pregnancy week 18 your baby is also producing a protective substance called Myelin. This substance helps coat your baby's nerves.
Changes In Your Body
You should feel very pregnant by now. Fortunately during the second trimester most women are still quite comfortable and find it easy to get around. I noticed many doctors and other pregnant women tend to refer to this time as the "honeymoon" phase of pregnancy. You are done with first trimester morning sickness for the most part, but aren't big enough yet to feel uncomfortable and bloated, at least not all the time.
Most women have gained between 10 and 15 pounds by this time. Again, don't obsess too much about your weight during pregnancy. All women gain weight at varying rates, and you'll find it is mind boggling trying to keep up with a specific number of pounds to gain. As long as I was eating healthy and exercising, I made sure not to obsess too much about this during pregnancy.
During pregnancy week 18 many women start finding sleeping a bit more challenging. As your belly continues to grow you may find it difficult to get comfortable at night. Fortunately you can take steps to ensure a better night's sleep. One thing I found always helped me sleep better at night was using a pregnancy or body pillow during the evenings. This will help support your expanding belly and help support your knees while sleeping. It may sound strange but it helps a great deal. You can even use a pregnancy pillow for a better night's rest after you deliver your baby!
Sex and Pregnancy
Many women notice their libido goes into overdrive during the second trimester. I can attest to this. For most women it is perfectly safe to continue having sex during pregnancy. Unfortunately while most women's sex drive is higher than average during this part of pregnancy, many women's partners express concern over having sex with their pregnant partner.
One way to help your partner overcome any fears he may have about sex is by having him come with you to your doctor's appointment. Hearing it is ok from the doctors mouth may be all it takes to help him overcome any fears he has. Remind him he will not "bump" the baby's head while having sex. This is simply ridiculous and a completely unfounded fear. Unless your baby has already descended into the birth canal (which happens during labor) this is highly unlikely.
If you have trouble getting comfortable during pregnancy, you might try a few new positions. Doggy style and side lying positions are helpful during pregnancy. You may also find using a gentle lubricant will increase your pleasure and comfort during pregnancy. Increasing levels of pregnancy hormones may decrease the natural lubrication you would expect when intimate.
Remember last but not least to take things slowly. You probably aren't as agile as you were before getting pregnant. And, if you and your partner are having difficulty with sex in general, consider simply spending some time together being intimate. Sometimes a little touching, kissing and caressing is all you need to feel close to one another... and sometimes even that can lead to an interesting evening!
Believe it or not, a pregnancy pillow, like the Snoozer Full Body Pregnancy Pillows we offer at The Maternity and Baby Shopping Mart, can help you sustain a lasting relationship with your partner when you want to remain intimate throughout your pregnancy. Many women find this pillow supportive when they are intimate with their partners. You can use the pillow to support your belly if you choose to lie sideways for example, during intercourse. It helps to have something to hold on to while connecting with your partner. You can also reposition the pillow to allow you to indulge in other positions comfortably. You might for example, use the pillow to support your upper back and neck if you want to try remaining on your back during intimate encounters, or let your partner try the pillows while you remain on top to enjoy lasting intimacy. One of the beautiful things about Snoozer Full Body Pregnancy Pillows is their utility is endless. Have fun, relax, you might as well enjoy as much time as you can before baby arrives.
Read next about your baby's growth and development, as well as the changes in your body during pregnancy week 19.
