Hey friends! I’m excited to be sharing another bumpdate today – 18 weeks! If you’re new around CWS, I’ll be sharing a monthly recap of my pregnancy until Baby T arrives. 🙂
Gosh, I always have so much joy writing these updates. It’s crazy how quickly life starts to change when you’re pregnant. I’m not complaining one bit – I’m loving it! Things have been quiet here on CWS for two main reasons: 1. Life has been quite busy and crazy. I’ll get to more details on all of that in a post coming next week. 2. Everything I’m brainstorming or feeling inspired to write is focused on my pregnancy. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing but I really want to try my best to keep a balance of my regular topics here and the joys I’m experiencing through my pregnancy journey. I so, so appreciate your patience with me!
If you haven’t read my First Trimester Bumpdate, you can click HERE to catch up!
I am currently in week 18 and Baby T is the size of an artichoke (5.59 inches, 6.70 oz). Baby T is able to yawn, hiccup, swallow. Baby T is also twisting, rolling, punching, and kicking! 🙂
SYMPTOMS BY WEEK:
WEEK 14:
- Occasional nausea
- Morning sickness
- Backaches
- Visible veins – I had noticed visible veins in my legs and arms more before week 14 but this week I really noticed them in my boobs.
- Headaches
- Baby bump – Well, a tiny, tiny barely noticeable difference, haha!
WEEK 15:
- Frequent peeing
- Lower backache
- Tiredness
- Morning sickness started to ease up a bit
- Sore hips – I have always been told I’ll have “good birthing hips” lol but gosh, these hips are definitely shifting a bit and it was quite sore.
- Photo below: 15 weeks
WEEK 16:
- Slightly increased appetite
- Severe headaches – They were awful. I was properly hydrated, eating right, and even a nap or Tylenol wouldn’t help. Oh, the hormones.
- Tiredness
- Stomach issues
- Back pain
- Lower back pain
- Sore hips & tailbone
- Morning sickness 2x
- Sciatica pain – I was shocked to have started to deal with some sciatica pain so early on but I think a lot of it has to do with my petite frame.
WEEK 17:
- Lower back pain
- Frequent peeing
- Backaches
- More energy but got tired easily
- Hot flashes
- Occasional nausea – Only when in the car as a passenger.
- Morning sickness 1x
- Sore hips & tailbone
- Acne
- Photo below: 17 weeks
WEEK 18:
- Increased appetite
- Backache
- Some dizziness
- Lower back pain
- Hot flashes
- Acne
CRAVINGS:
When it comes to cravings, my second trimester so far is similar to my first trimester – I haven’t had a hankering for 1 specific craving. Instead, my tastes definitely go through changes. I hate this but I have been craving fast food and sweets like crazy. From Wendy’s spicy chicken nuggets to McDonald’s nuggets with honey, to a double cheeseburger from McDonald’s… I have been trying to be self-disciplined but sometimes, you just got to give in to the cravings, haha. Oh, taco dip & tortilla chips have been a favorite, too! Oh, and anything apple!
AVERSIONS:
This makes me so sad to say… Chick-Fil-A sauce. If you know me well, I’m someone who usually has extra CFA sauce at home and even in my purse with me, haha. I didn’t see this aversion coming at all!
WEIGHT GAIN:
Over the past few weeks, I have gained about 3-4lbs. It’s hard to gauge my actual weight, even in the mornings, because my body (especially my stomach lol) is going through a lot. I didn’t gain anything my first trimester.
BODY CHANGES:
The baby bump has officially arrived!! 🙂 Below is a comparison between 14 weeks and now at 18 weeks. Baby T is definitely showing themselves now.
Excuse the dirty mirror and messy office bump selfies!
DO YOU KNOW THE GENDER YET?
Yes, we do! But we’re not sharing just yet. 😉 I couldn’t wait any longer to find out so I ordered the Sneak Peek at-home blood test at 15 weeks. I’m glad I decided to go for it and will share my experience with the SP test in the future. We’re waiting until after our anatomy scan next week to announce the gender.
HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY MATERNITY CLOTHES YET?
I have received a couple of gifted tops from Pink Blush Maternity that I’m loving and will definitely grow into overtime. Mike and I are moving next week (more on that to come), so I’m waiting to really purchase anything until after we’ve moved. I only have 2 pairs of leggings that still fit and none of my jeans button anymore… le sigh. I’m nervous about shopping for maternity bottoms because as a short (4’11”) and petite lady already, jeans/bottoms shopping is hard enough. Wish me luck!
HAVE YOU FELT ANY MOVEMENT? Yes, I have! 🙂 From about 15 weeks, I have been feeling flutters. I was shocked I started feeling them so early since this is my first baby/pregnancy but they do say petite women can start to feel movement sooner. As far as kicks… I’m going to say maybe… There have been 2 times I thought I might have but I’m not sure.
ANY STRETCH MARKS?
Nope! Thank goodness. I’m really hoping I can avoid those buggers… but they do run in my family, so I’m staying realistic.
HOW’S YOUR SLEEP?
Pretty awful, haha. I didn’t even put this up in my symptoms because honestly, my sleep hasn’t been all that great my entire pregnancy. From having to get up to pee a few times a night to not being able to get comfortable, sleep in of itself is a journey. I do think that Unisom is starting to help me a little bit.
ARE YOU MISSING ANYTHING?
Other than missing a nice, crisp hard cider during the fall… nope, I’m trying to enjoy the entire pregnancy experience.
And that’s a wrap, for now, friends! Can’t wait to share more with you soon.
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