my pregnancy: 18 weeks

Your baby is approximately 6 inches/ 14.2 centimeters long from crown to rump and she weighs about 7 ounces/ 190 grams. Her chest moves up and down to mimic breathing but she's not taking in air, only amniotic fluid.

Ultrasound scans in the second trimester assess fetal growth and development, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord and determine whether the gestational age is accurate. During these scans, you might see your baby kick, flex, reach, roll or even suck her thumb. Bring your husband along, and whether or not he's able to accompany you, make sure you ask for printouts of the baby in various poses.

If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes are in place. If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognisable. If you are carrying more than one baby, check out our section on twins or more.

• Note: Experts say every baby develops differently - even in utero. These fetal development pages are designed to give a general idea of how a fetus grows in the womb.

my pregnancy: 17 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness, which should fit snugly between your breasts.

You may also notice your eyes becoming drier. Using over-the-counter lubricating drops may help. If your contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. If you still have discomfort, switch to glasses until after you give birth.

An easy way to keep track of the nutrients you need "I made a simple chart of the basic food groups and posted it on the refrigerator. At the end of the day, I checked off what I had eaten. Then, for my bedtime snack, I tried to pick something that would fulfill whatever category was lacking — yogurt (or a bowl of ice cream!) if I needed more dairy, for example, or an orange if I needed more fruit." — Anonymous

Dreams During Pregnancy

Many women report that their dream life shifts into high gear during pregnancy. Interestingly, during the second and third trimesters, you spend less sleep time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the cycle in which most dreams occur. Why, then, all those frequent and vivid dream memories?

It's probably at least in part because you may be interrupting a dream-filled cycle when you wake up to pee, cope with heartburn, leg cramps, restless legs, or a backache, or to shift to a more comfortable position. Waking up during REM sleep makes you more likely to remember your dreams.

It may also be in part that dreams seem so vivid during pregnancy because for most women pregnancy is a time of such heightened emotions — from joy to apprehension and everything in between — but no one really knows for sure.

Here's a look at some common themes and what they may mean, according to Patricia Garfield, a clinical psychologist and author of Women's Bodies, Women's Dreams.

You're caring for baby animals. During the second trimester, many pregnant women dream about cuddly, baby-like animals, such as puppies, chicks, and kittens. Friendly creatures in your dreams are generally thought to signify that you're tuned in to your instincts. Menacing animals, on the other hand, may represent ambivalence about the strange new creature entering your life.

You have a sexy encounter with an old flame. Many mothers-to-be are concerned about their changing figure and its effect on their sex life — while many others feel more sexually charged than ever. Both feelings are often reflected in your dreams. Not only do erotic dreams offer comforting reassurance, but they may mirror the sexiness you feel during your waking hours, too.

Your mate is straying. If you dream that your partner hooks up with an ex-girlfriend or a total stranger, it can signal insecurity about holding his love and attention through a time of great change. Right now, you're dependent on the goodwill and support of those around you, especially your partner. Fearing his loss is a common emotional reaction to being pregnant.

Since there's nothing you can do to stop the crazy dreams, try having fun with them. Keep a notebook and pen by your bedside to jot them down.

This Week's Activity:

Start a baby name list. Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same. Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other's list that you dislike. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. Talk about why you like and dislike certain names. Many couples even create ground rules, such as no names of former girlfriends or boyfriends and no names that have ever been used for family pets.

my pregnancy: 16 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Feel your baby move "I wasn't sure if I could feel my baby moving, so a friend suggested I lie down for a while. After a few minutes, I started feeling a butterfly sensation in my lower abdomen. It was amazing!" — Linda B.

3 Questions About...Gaining weight

Q1.

How much weight should I gain now?

Aim to gain about 12 to 14 pounds this trimester (toward a total of 25 to 35 for your whole pregnancy) if you started your pregnancy at an average weight. Your caregiver may advise that you gain a little more or less if you started your pregnancy over- or underweight or you're carrying twins or more.

Q2.

How can I keep my weight gain on track? During pregnancy, most women need to eat about 300 calories a day more than their usual daily intake. (The total amount of calories you'll need depends on your weight and activity level.)


If you're gaining too much: Some women find that they're gaining weight too quickly. It's not a good idea to go on a low-calorie diet or skip meals during pregnancy, though. Instead, try these suggestions to help slow your weight gain:

• Start your day with a nutritious breakfast that includes adequate protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and a small amount of healthy fat.
• Eat vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy products, and skip processed foods, packaged snacks, and sugar-loaded desserts.
• Keep healthy, filling snacks around, such as low-fat cheese and yogurt, baby carrots, and fresh fruit such as apples or bananas. You'll be less susceptible to junk-food snack attacks.
• Choose a tasty alternative to a fatty food. For example: Nonfat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, a bagel instead of a doughnut, or air-popped popcorn instead of potato chips. (Get more ideas.)
• Drink water instead of reaching for a glass of juice.
• With your caregiver's okay, get regular exercise. If you have trouble getting started or keeping to a routine, find an exercise buddy who'll go for a daily walk or swim with you. This will help to keep you motivated. Even a 20-minute daily walk at lunchtime will make a difference.

If you're having a hard time gaining enough: Some women find themselves struggling to budge the scale. Here are a few tips to help you put on the pounds:

• Drink a milk shake every day (add in fresh fruit for vitamin C). You'll get a calorie boost and you'll benefit from the calcium in the ice cream.
• Eat nutrient-dense foods with good fats, such as avocados and nuts.
• Try eating dried fruit. It's not as filling as fresh fruit, so you tend to eat more of it and pack in more healthy calories.
• In addition to your meals, eat frequent snacks.
• Remind yourself that you're supposed to be putting on weight now, for yourself and for your baby's well-being. Then chow down!

Q3.

How will the weight I gain during pregnancy affect my body? At least some of the aches and pains you'll feel as pregnancy progresses are related to your changing body shape and the increasing weight of your womb. Backaches are common, and you may begin to feel more clumsy and prone to falls. Expect your skin to stretch, too, as your belly and breasts expand, which may result in stretch marks.

You may be most worried about whether you'll be able to shed all your "baby fat" after your baby's born. It may take a while, but if you eat right and exercise you'll most likely get rid of the pounds eventually. You'll have an easier time getting back in shape if you're active now.
• It's easy to obsess about your weight during pregnancy, especially if you're having a hard time staying within the 25- to 35-pound gain recommended for most women of normal weight. How's it going for you?

This Week's Activity:

Plan a romantic getaway — even if you stay home. Once your baby arrives, it will be very hard for you and your partner to slip away for a weekend alone. Don't miss this chance to kick back together. And don't wait much longer because by your third trimester you may feel too tired and achy to hit the road. If you can't get out of town, plan local activities you can enjoy together — even dinner and a movie counts.

my pregnancy: 15 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

Take to the waters "Our community pool offers water aerobics. This is a great way to add some variety to your workout. I take my older children with me and let them swim while I exercise!" – Heid

3 Questions About Feeling your baby move

Feeling those first flutters and kicks is one of the most amazing experiences of pregnancy. Here's how much longer you'll have to wait and what to expect when your baby finally gets big and strong enough to let you know she's in there.

Q1.

When will I first feel my baby move? You'll probably feel your baby move sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, even though she started moving at 7 or 8 weeks and you may have already witnessed her acrobatics if you've had an ultrasound. Veteran moms tend to notice those first subtle kicks and jabs — also known as "quickening" — earlier than first-time moms. (A woman who's been pregnant before can more easily distinguish her baby's movements from other belly rumblings, such as gas.) Your build may also have something to do with when you'll be able to tell a left jab from a hunger pang. Thinner women tend to feel movement earlier.

Q2.

What will those first movements feel like? Women have described the sensation as being like popcorn popping, a goldfish swimming around, butterflies fluttering, a tapping sensation, and bubbles. You'll probably chalk up those first gentle movements in your belly to gas or hunger pangs, but once you start feeling them more regularly, you'll recognize the difference. You're more likely to feel these early movements when you're sitting or lying quietly.

Q3.

When should I worry about my baby's movements? Although your baby is moving around plenty already, many of his jerks and jolts aren't yet strong enough for you to feel. Later in the second trimester, his kicks will become stronger and you'll start to feel them regularly. At that point, pay attention to them and let your practitioner know right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's movement. Less movement may signal a problem, and you'll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition. Once you're in your third trimester, some practitioners will recommend that you spend some time each day counting your baby's kicks.

This Week's Activity:

Talk to your baby. It's a great way to start the bonding process. If having an actual conversation seems odd to you, narrate your activities; read a book, magazine, or newspaper; or share your secret wishes for your child. This is great practice for after your baby's born. Talking to babies is one of the best ways to help them develop language skills.