Your Body * 18 weeks

Head to rump, your baby is around 5 1/2 inches long and weighs almost 7 ounces (about the size of a bell pepper). She or he is busy flexing arms and legs – movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Your baby's blood vessels are visible through thin skin, and his or her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from the head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his or her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after your baby is born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. http://www.babycenter.com/my-pregnancy-today-app

Hungry? A bigger appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow. Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy. From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side – or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to reduced blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort. If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking a thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout (or a disc of images) for your baby's first photo album! http://www.babycenter.com/my-pregnancy-today-app