Week 18: 22 weeks to go!

We hope you're loving your pregnancy so far!

Your baby's progress:

• Your baby measures about 20cm.
• Pads are forming on the fingers and toes.
• Your baby has fingerprints: how cute is that?
• Meconium, your baby’s first bowel movement, accumulates within the bowel.
• Your baby’s limbs are lengthening.
• The body length is catching up to the head size.
• The prostate gland (in boys) develops.
• Your baby may even have hiccups.

Your progress:

• The uterus is just below your bellybutton.
• Your gums become more spongy due to increased pregnancy hormones.
• You may be feeling your baby move (“quickening”).

What to do:

• Ask friends and relatives for secondhand maternity wear. There's no point spending a lot of money on clothes you can only wear for a couple of weeks.
• Visit your dentist for a check-up.

Good to know:

• Avoid back pain by wearing comfortable shoes, maintaining a good posture, sleeping on a firm mattress, and spending more time in the bath or pool (water helps the muscles to relax).