Thriving and Shining with Our Alazhay - the little one has now grown to the size of a pomegranate! Tiny and totally precious! 🍎
This week has been another week of change for Alazhay and bub (we call her Panda 🐼) - we are loving being on the journey with them.
Monday started with her feeling a little rough and really struggling to focus - the concentration struggles were real!
Luckily as the week went on she was feeling MUCH better and seems to have more energy than the last few weeks.
The new symptom for the week appears to be leg cramps (calves cramping in her sleep). Cramping during pregnancy can be down to many things, primarily circulation slowing down as your body grows bub. Another reason for cramping can be low magnesium and guess what? Alazhay doesn’t normally like bananas - but felt like eating a banana so she did (and still didn’t like it 😆😆). Maybe her body made her want banana as they are such a great source of magnesium! Who else is in absolute awe of what the body does for us?
She is also feeling a bit of movement now so it’s all getting very surreal - wahhhhhh it’s really happening!
Last week her belly circumference was 98cm and this week is it 101 - woo hoo Panda is growing 💗
We hope you enjoy this weekly update and keep an eye out for next week, where we’ll share another adorable baby size comparison!
In the meantime, keep the rice crackers and pizza flowing!
What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Week 18 (A Mother's Perspective)
Week 18: The Reality Hits 🤯
Welcome to Week 18! This week is all about realising how real this journey is becoming.
✨ You suddenly LOOK pregnant, you suddenly FEEL pregnant - and you hit another level of realising this is actually happening! 🌿 You start to feel for the first time like there is actually someone in there. 💃 Might start to feel those first time flutters of baby moving. 🦴 Your back might be starting to ache (it’s just the beginning). 😖 Focus and concentration are dwindling!!! 💥 Leg cramps. 💨 Bloating and gas. 🦶 Swelling of ankles & feet.
Pregnancy Symptoms Week 18
- 😴 Fatigue
- 🚽 Decreasing urinary frequency
- 🤢 Less or no nausea & vomiting
- 💩 Constipation
- 🔥 Heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, bloating
- 🍼 Continued breast enlargement, less tenderness
- 🤕 Occasional headaches or light-headedness
- 🤧 Nasal congestion with occasional nosebleeds, ear stuffiness
- 🪥 Sensitive gums that bleed when you brush
- 🍔 Hungrier
- 🦶 Mild swelling of ankles & feet, & occasionally hands & face
- 🦵 Varicose veins
- 😣 Haemorrhoids
Emotionally
- 😵💫 Mood swings (irritability, irrationality, or weepiness)
Embrace this incredible journey, mamas! Week 18 is a testament to your strength and resilience. Remember, every flutter, every ache, and every moment of excitement is a step closer to meeting your precious little one. Keep shining, keep smiling, and keep believing in the beautiful life growing inside you. You’re doing amazing! 🌟
What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Week 18 (A Baby’s Perspective)
Hey everyone! This week has been full of exciting developments for me as I grow bigger! I am 14cm and weighing 140 grams👶💕
You might start feeling my movements soon as I roll, kick, and punch. Can you feel me practising my moves?
💓 My heart is beating strong, at around 140-150 beats per minute, pumping all that fuel you're sending my way. Thank you for taking such good care of us!
🌈 My nervous system is rapidly maturing, and my bones are hardening. I'm also starting to form body fat.
🌟 My ears are now in their final position, and I can hear your heartbeat and voice. It's comforting and familiar.
🌸 My skin is still thin and translucent, but it's starting to develop layers.
As I continue to grow, I feel more connected to you every day. Each kick and nudge is a reminder of our bond, getting stronger with each passing moment. Please keep taking care of us both until we can finally meet. I'm eagerly awaiting the day you can cuddle me. 🌟
Data sourced from What to Expect When You're Expecting 5th Edition & What to Expect Not all women have the same pregnancy journey or symptoms - please consult your GP for the best advice relevant to you.