Week 18 Size: Artichoke
About the size of an artichoke.
Relative Visual Scale
Solid circle represents your baby's size. Dotted circle shows the full-term week 40 size threshold.
Baby's Development
The baby's ears stand out from the head, and they can hear external sounds. The baby may be startled by loud noises. A protective coating called vernix caseosa begins to cover the skin.
Weekly Milestones
- ✦ Vernix Coating Starts
- ✦ External Hearing Active
Your Body & Symptoms
Your uterus is now about the height of your belly button. You might feel your baby kick, roll, or punch more clearly now.
Common Symptoms this Week
Doctor & Care Recommendations
- ✓ Elevate your feet whenever you sit down to reduce swelling.
- ✓ Stretch your calves before bed to prevent night cramps.
- ✓ Schedule your anatomy scan (usually done between weeks 18 and 22).
PregWeeks
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Weekly Health Guides & Resources
Second Trimester Guide
Read comprehensive clinical milestones, screening checklists, and developmental guidelines for this phase.
Track & Relieve Symptoms
Learn why symptoms occur, home remedies, and clinical indicators for this week:
Food Safety Checklists
Verify safety statuses, listeria and mercury risks, and safe alternatives for:
Frequently Asked Questions: Week 18
Evidence-Based Clinical Sources for Week 18
PregWeeks is dedicated to medical transparency. Every milestone, symptom tip, and fetal development guideline for Week 18 is sourced directly from clinical guidelines published by leading obstetric authorities. Read more about our editorial methodology on our Medical Sources page.
Prenatal Diagnostic Testing for Genetic Disorders (Practice Bulletin No. 162)
ACOGClinical recommendations for mid-pregnancy screening options, including the anatomy ultrasound scan commonly scheduled between weeks 18 and 22.
View Clinical Guideline ↗Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (Practice Bulletin No. 190)
ACOGPractice standards for screening and diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), typically scheduled between weeks 24 and 28.
View Clinical Guideline ↗Implementing a Gestational Diabetes Screening Protocol (Committee Opinion No. 798)
ACOGStandardized protocols for glucose screening tests to detect gestational diabetes and optimize maternal-fetal metabolic health.
View Clinical Guideline ↗Get weekly pregnancy updates
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