Hi steemians welcome to week 18 pregnancy series, hope you are doing fine if you have any complain at this stage please do not hesitate to visit your doctor, But if you don't please continue taking good care of your self and your unborn baby. This week we will see what is developing and how you should take care of yourself so as to be healthy, remember you are have just 22 weeks left so you need to prepare yourself as a mum too. You need to buy your baby clothes and every thing you need as a first time mum. Let's go ahead and see what is happening inside you this week sweet mum ☺️🥰

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PREGNANCY AT 18 WEEKS (5months)

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Wow you are going, you are now in your five month and you have just 22 weeks left for you to welcome your newborn baby. Awwwn! I know you can't wait to carry this baby don't worry soon you will but let the baby develop everything and come out as a complete healthy human. This week the nervous system is developing and forming connection from nerves to nerve with the help of myelin, the brain nerves is also developing which helps the sense of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing to develop well. This week your baby movement continues, so enjoy the lovely movement feelings 😃 Your fetus can hiccup, yawn and even sucking of fingers, your baby is hearing your voice too. The facial features will be clearly recognise through ultrasound scan the eyes, nose, ears, eyelashes, nail and hair. The genitals are visible now so if you go to scan, you can probably know if you are carrying a boy or girl. So as the baby is developing, you need to eat healthy to help the baby develop well and healthy.

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WHAT TO EXPECT AS A MUM

🤰 DIZZINESS; Due to some hormonal changes you will experience dizziness this week, Then if you have anemia you may feel dizzy too, when you feel this inform your doctor.

🤰 PAINS; low back pains is cause by the release of a hormone called relaxin which helps loses your ligament which correct your bones. It helps your pelvic stretches when you are in labour as the baby comes out.

🤰 CRAVINGS; expect cravings from this week, you will start craving for a particular meal or snacks. It is normal this is to help your body which is working so hard to support your baby and it requires a lot of energy. But always remember to add nutritious food to your meal plan.

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EXERCISE

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🤰 You need to always exercise to help your pelvic and prepare your body for labour.

🤰 Do kegel and yoga exercise

🤰 Do deep squat

🤰 Swimming and walking improves circulation and skin elasticity.

🤰 To avoid back pain do cat and cow pose energy.

🤰 Stretching; It helps to reduce body pains due to your weight.

In my next series I will show you all how to do this exercise, I've talked about kegel before in one of my series, please always do it to strengthen your pelvic muscles.

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WHAT TO DO

You have so many things to do at this stage please, as an expectant mum, get a list of essential baby item you will need and start purchasing them. Get your hospital bag ready your health care provider will provide the list needed to get your bag ready. Start grooming yourself to be a mum, check your maternity leave grant prepare yourself for breastfeeding decide either you will go for exclusive or baby friendly breastfeeding. Eat healthy, go to your check up and do your mid second trimester ultrasound scan. Change your undies regularly to avoid infection, take your folic acid and multivitamin regularly.

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CONCLUSION

As you are happy to be at this stage, take good care of yourself and your baby. While experiencing some challenges be assured that you are carrying a life and soon to see the beautiful baby. Your 5 month is going to be amazing so do not panic, be relax and start communicating with your unborn child they can hear you now. Thank you for going through my series if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.