Pregnancy - week by week: Week 18 – 19

Pregnancy - week by week: Week 18 – 19 

Week 18
Your little baby is now nearly 0.5 pounds in weight now and looks more and more like a human. You might feel the first of baby’s hiccups now. Baby boys are developing the prostate gland. Baby’s eyes are now looking forward rather than out to the sides of the head.  Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes, and the eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head. Amazing enough - Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is already building up within the bowel. This greenish dark looking substance is normally discharged shortly after birth.

If you still have frequent incidents of dizziness, faint, or feel lightheaded you should talk to your OB. Even though these symptoms are normal during pregnancy, but they should be happening much less often at this point. Your blood pressure might be the problem and should be checked more frequently then. 

Your uterus continues to grow and is now just below your belly button. If you have an ultrasound scheduled during this week you will probably be asked if you want to find out the sex of your little baby.
 

Week 19
The protective skin substance “Vermix” is now slowly forming on your baby’s skin. This is the white looking stuff that you will see on baby when it is born. This protective layer is needed to protect the baby from being sub-merged from its “wet” environment in your uterus. 9 months in that environment is a long time. Mother nature found a great way to protect baby’s skin – don’t you think so?!

On the outside you may notice your skin changing a little bit. This comes from the changing hormone levels and will go back to normal after baby’s delivery.  These are hormone-related and will disappear after delivery. This process is called “Melasma Mask of Pregnancy“. You will notice some brownish spots on your skin. Your skin might also feel itchy and you have the urge to scratch it all the time. Make sure you spend enough time putting lotion on your skin to keep it from becoming itchy and dry. Drinking enough fluids will also help.