18 WEEKS PREGNANT

Movements are often felt for the first time

Baby this week: about 14.2 cm — crown to rump · about 190 g

≈ 14.2 cm — about the size of a bell pepper

Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size

Your baby this week

  • Many people first feel movement — often described as flutters or bubbles — around this week, though timing varies widely
  • The ears are developed enough that the fetus may respond to loud sounds
  • Myelin, the protective coating around nerves, is beginning to form
  • The baby is becoming more active, with stretches, kicks and rolls, though not all are felt yet.

Your body this week

  • Dizziness can occur, especially when standing up quickly, as blood pressure naturally shifts
  • Leg cramps, particularly at night, become more common

This week's tip: If you feel dizzy, try changing positions slowly and avoid standing still for long periods.

When to get help now

Call emergency services now or go to an emergency department now if you have sudden, severe tummy pain, pain in the tip of your shoulder, feel very weak, faint or dizzy, or have heavy bleeding that soaks a pad soon after putting it on. For lighter bleeding or spotting, or pain low down on one side, contact your doctor, maternity unit or an early pregnancy unit today.

Want the bigger picture — organ development, nutrition, scans and warning signs for this stage? See month 5: The month of first kicks.

Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.