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ou are 18 Weeks Pregnant!
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU
You may be waiting anxiously for your baby's first movement, known as
"quickening." You want to know that your baby, who's been quietly maneuvering
around since seven weeks, is big enough and strong enough to send you a message.
Many women find this barometer of their baby's well-being very reassuring.
Typically, you will feel the first small rumblings of fetal movement between 18
and 22 weeks (or later, in some cases). If you have very strong abdominal
muscles, you're very overweight or your fetus is "hiding," you may fall on the
late end of the scale. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel fetal
movement as early as you will in successive pregnancies. Most likely, though,
junior will make his or her presence known within this next, exciting month.
Early fetal movements may feel like soft tapping, or "butterflies," just above
the pubic bone.
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY
Your baby has grown to 14 centimeters crown to rump. Adding two ounces in just
one week, your baby tips the scales at seven ounces. Baby's limbs are
lengthening, and at last, body length is catching up to head size. Bones are
still malleable but are beginning to ossify.
EATING FOR TWO
To keep energy levels high during pregnancy, here are some suggestions:
-- Cold leftover chicken with a few dried apricots
-- Bowl of whole grain cereal with soy or regular skim milk
-- Small bowl of low-fat granola topped with half a banana and a dollop of
yogurt
-- Open-faced, broiled, low-fat cheese on a whole-wheat bagel
-- Oatmeal with raisins
-- Cup of ginger tea and a small bran muffin
FACT OF THE WEEK
It used to be that one out of 100 women experienced multiple gestations. Today,
it's one in 50, partly due to the increased use of fertility drugs such as
Pergonal or Clomiphene, as well as in vitro fertilization. Another factor is
that maternal age during pregnancy is increasing. Women over 35 may experience
erratic ovulation, causing an extra egg to be released, resulting in multiple
gestations. Also, teen mothers are more likely to conceive multiple fetuses.
There are risks to carrying twins, but it's important to note that more than 90
percent of twin pregnancies have no major complications. However, if you're
carrying multiples, learn to recognize the signs of preterm labor. It is more
common for twins to arrive a few weeks earlier than singletons, but seriously
premature delivery poses extreme health risks to the newborn.
Also, consider visiting a registered dietitian. Eating well for three or more is
a huge responsibility, but one that has a wonderful payoff.
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