Eighteenth week of the week-by-week pregnancy scheduler ensures that the most apparent of pregnancy symptoms become real. You would love to eat and the huge appetite would be beyond control. The cravings would leave little scope for the dieting attempts and it would soon show by way of an enlarged belly. What soon follows is a difficult to maintain balance, all thanks to the huge body size. Don't panic, all these side effects of pregnancy can be dealt with after the 40th week of week by week pregnancy. Right now just eat and enjoy life. As for the other tips and changes around this time, it is suggested that you lie on your left side as otherwise, there is unnecessary pressure on your pelvic veins.
The baby is now about five and a half inches long and weighs approximately 7 ounces. Too small as compared to your belly size. The child's growth is faster in this phase of the second trimester pregnancy. Baby's stomach, intestine and colon are developing. The stool that the child would soon pass after birth is also being formed. He can now sleep inside your body. Skin as mentioned earlier would remain transparent and is kind of pink in color. Blood vessels are visible through the skin. The child's protective cover known as Myelin, that continues to form till about one year after birth, is beginning to form. The prostate gland too is beginning to develop. Vernix, a textured substance is now covering the child's body to protect him/her during the remaining weeks of the week by week pregnancy calendar.