Week 18, second trimester
18 weeks pregnant: placeholder title
Placeholder: a short, direct summary of 18 weeks pregnant — what's happening with the baby, how you might feel and which NHS appointments fall this week.
Placeholder: the week overview goes here. Add it as site/src/content/weeks/week-18.md.
Appointments and key dates this week
- 20-week screening scanBetween 18 and 21 weeks
Day by day this week
- 18 weeks 0 days (day 126)Boy or girl? You and your partner may want to start thinking about whether you'd like to find out.
- 18 weeks 1 day (day 127)As you near the halfway mark, you'll keep being amazed that there's a baby growing inside you.
- 18 weeks 2 days (day 128)You won't feel it yet, but your baby may start to get hiccups at this stage.
- 18 weeks 3 days (day 129)Wanting to protect your baby is a natural maternal instinct, and it has probably started already.
- 18 weeks 4 days (day 130)There's no harm in encouraging your baby to move so you're more likely to feel his wriggles.
- 18 weeks 5 days (day 131)Your baby's fingers and toes are fully developed, and their unique prints are starting to form.
- 18 weeks 6 days (day 132)Around now you'll have another scan, and your baby will get a thorough health check.
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.