You can feel your baby move
If this is your first baby, you’ll likely feel the baby move around between weeks 18 and 22. If you already have children, or if you are expecting multiple babies, you might feel movement sooner [1].
As the uterus grows, it stretches your ligaments and the tendons of the muscles in the anterior abdominal wall. These changes can cause pulling pains in the lower abdomen, mainly in the lateral regions. These pains are not spastic, but rather stitching, and aching. As a rule, they occur more commonly when you get out of bed, up from a chair, or while coughing or sneezing.
The accumulation of fluid in the body can cause visual impairment, especially if you had difficulty with your vision before pregnancy. After childbirth, however, everything should return to normal, but you can visit your optometrist if you’re concerned. You may need to adjust your prescription glasses or contacts.
At this stage of your pregnancy, your sleep patterns might also change. Sleeping on your stomach is no longer possible. Sleeping on your back is not recommended because the uterus can squeeze a vena cava (large vein), which delivers blood from the legs to the heart [2]. You can use a pregnancy pillow to help you sleep on your side more comfortably.
If you are expecting twins
You will feel your babies’ first movement earlier than other mothers. There are two of them after all!
Discharge
At this time, discharge can become more abundant. There is no cause for worry, it is meant to act as a form of protection for the uterus against pathogens.
If your stomach hurts or you have minor spotting, call your doctor immediately.
