Welcome to week 18 of your pregnancy! 🌸 You're nearly halfway through this amazing journey, and your baby is growing beautifully. Here's a snapshot of the incredible developments happening this week:
- Quickening Movements: You might start to feel your baby's first movements, known as "quickening." It might feel like flutters or gentle taps inside your belly. It's your little one moving around!
- Skeletal Development: Your baby's bones are beginning to harden from soft cartilage to bone, particularly in the legs and inner ear, marking a significant step in skeletal development.
- Sensory Development: The nerves in your baby's brain are further developing, especially those in the areas responsible for the senses. Your little one is learning to experience the world, even from the womb.
- Size Update: By the end of week 20, just a couple of weeks away, your baby will be more than 6 inches long and weigh less than 11 ounces. Right now, they're busy growing to reach that mileston​​e.
Isn't it wonderful to think about all the progress your baby is making? Each flutter and every change is a sign of healthy growth and development. 🦋 Remember, if you have any questions or need reassurance, your healthcare provider is just a call away to guide and support you through this beautiful time.