The change of pregnant women at 18 weeks

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Ly Thi Thanh Nha - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital Da Nang.
At 18 weeks pregnant, you are in the second trimester and fetal growth is gradually slowing down, but you will start to feel more movement. Your baby has started to gain weight rapidly and you should be able to gain 2-4kg. Pregnant women will also feel the difference in their body at this week of pregnancy.

1. Changes in pregnant mother's body at 18 weeks

The 2nd trimester is said to be the most comfortable time in pregnancy, but you may still see the following symptoms:
Back pain - the growing size of the uterus with the fetus puts pressure on the spine of pregnant women and lead to back pain. You can reduce the sensation of pain by resting your legs on something higher than the ground to relieve pressure on the spine when sitting and soaking in hot water so that the back muscles can relax.
Heartburn - heartburn can continue throughout pregnancy, so you should have a reasonable diet. Eat small meals, avoid lying down immediately after eating, and avoid spicy foods.
Bloating - during pregnancy, the hormone progesterone relaxes the muscles, resulting in slow digestion and bloating. Drink lots of water and eat foods high in fiber. In addition, you should eat many small meals throughout the day instead of large ones, eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
Bleeding gums - hormones released during pregnancy can cause bleeding gums. Brush your teeth gently and talk to your dentist if bleeding continues.
Swelling in the legs - because the pregnant mother's body needs to store a lot of blood and fluid to nourish the fetus, edema often occurs in the legs and ankles. To avoid this situation, you should not stand or sit in one place for too long.
Stretch marks - by the 18th week of pregnancy, your belly may already be visible and due to fetal development, stretch marks may appear. This is a common occurrence in all mothers. Regularly massage the abdomen with oil or body cream to make the stretch marks easier to fade after childbirth.

2. Some advice for pregnant women at 18 weeks

It's normal to feel dizzy - a large amount of blood is being sent to the fetus to support its development, so you may feel dizzy due to less blood being sent to your brain than before. Lie down if you feel dizzy and avoid getting up too quickly.
Get enough iron - eat plenty of iron-rich foods like red meat, spinach, broccoli... and take iron supplements to avoid anemia.
Be selective about oral supplements - some supplements have not been proven to help ensure your health during pregnancy, so you should research drugs carefully before taking them.