You are now quietly moving towards the 3rd trimester, which begins now for the fetus. Preparations for birth are underway, and the hearing ability is now so well-developed that the baby can hear voices and sounds from your body. For you, this may mean that you might be plagued by a particular kind of pain and may experience more freckles and moles.
Hello little baby
If you said that to your belly now, the little person in your belly would be able to hear your voice. The development of ears has been ongoing since week 5 and is now, around week 18, so advanced that the baby is able to hear.
He or she can also hear the sound of your breathing and your heartbeat. Additionally, they can recognize familiar voices such as yours, your partner's, and perhaps your siblings'. This is also why it actually makes sense to play music for the fetus now, as the same music will feel familiar and calming for the newborn. The older the fetus is, the more it will be able to hear.
The start of fetal fat production
If you have given birth before, witnessed a birth, or seen a newborn, you have surely also seen the white secretion that babies have when they are born. It is fetal fat, and the production of this is starting now.
Fetal fat has several beneficial advantages. It helps protect the baby's skin, both in the womb and after birth, makes it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal, and helps protect your child outside the womb, both in terms of temperature and moisture, which changes drastically for the baby during birth, going from lying in warm amniotic fluid to coming out into cooler air.
Ligament pain and increased pigmentation
If you start to experience stabbing pains or discomfort around the groin, it could very well be harmless ligament pain. The pain is due to ligaments, which are small bands that hold the uterus in place, being stretched because the uterus is growing. It can be really painful, but it is not dangerous.
If you notice that you are getting more freckles or moles during your pregnancy, it is due to pregnancy hormones that contribute to increased melanin production, resulting in increased pigmentation, which appears as freckles or moles. However, they will fade in the months following birth.
Size of the fetus:
You are approaching the 3rd trimester, and growth is still in full swing. The fetus is now about 14-15 cm and weighs approximately 190 grams. Therefore, if you look at the same figures from the previous weeks, you can see that there is rapid growth of the fetus in your womb, preparing for a final spurt on the weight curve leading up to birth during the last trimester.
Advice for partners
It can be difficult to feel involved in the pregnancy and as a significant role in the entire process leading up to birth. But from now on, you can start talking to the fetus or playing your favorite music; this will make your voice and the music familiar to the newborn, which will find it safe and calming.
Another thing you should be aware of from this week is the pain that may occur in the pregnant woman. During these pains, your partner may need you to be there for her. But talk to her about what works for her.
