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Repulse Bay
Clearwater Bay
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OT&P Annerley Midwives Clinic
At A Glance
Learning new skills
Baby is busy practicing breathing, swallowing, sucking, and of course growing!
Feeling the first baby kicks
The sensation of your baby kicking can be both exciting and moving. For some women, it's a soft fluttering or rolling sensation in the belly. Others may not feel anything yet. Just a little more patience is all it takes - most pregnant women feel their first baby kicks between 16-20 weeks.
Back pain
As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. This can make you bend backward to keep your balance, which puts extra pressure on your back and can cause pain there as well as in your neck and pubic symphysis (the joint in your pelvis).
Baby playing
Entering the 18th week, your baby's inner ear structure and the hippocampus-centered nervous system in charge of memory have developed. Don't worry about your baby getting bored in the womb, his hearing, swallowing and sucking abilities are all developing, and he will also move his hands and feet, allowing you to feel the "fetal movement".
Liver secretes bile leading to green poo after birth
The baby's liver has begun to secrete bile, which will make the baby's first stool after birth dark green and very sticky.
Eggs are formed in fetuses' ovaries
Did you know that there are already millions of eggs in the ovaries of female fetuses? Most of the eggs die before the baby is born, but there are about 1 to 2 million eggs left at birth. So, part of your potential grandchildren is already inside you!
Your Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 18
Pregnancy spots
During pregnancy, some women may notice dark spots on their forehead and cheeks. These are called "pregnancy spots" or "hormonal spots." They occur because of the increased production of hormones during pregnancy, which leads to increased pigmentation. However, they usually fade within a few months after giving birth.
However, some skin cancers can look similar to pregnancy spots. If you're unsure, you should consult a dermatologist.
Waist pain
A pregnant woman's growing uterus changes her center of gravity, pulling her lower back forward and making her lean back involuntarily to maintain balance. This can lead to low back pain.
Insomnia
Many pregnant women suffer from a condition called nocturia, which is the need to urinate frequently at night. This can disrupt their sleep and cause insomnia.
Nosebleed
Nosebleeds are unfortunately common during pregnancy, and they can last a few seconds to more than 10 minutes. This is due to changes in hormone levels. If the bleeding does not stop, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
