Today, I am 18 weeks and 2 days

Your Pregnancy: A Week-by-Week Guide

You are now going on 19 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING WITH YOU THIS WEEK:

To your dismay, you may find that heartburn is more likely to occur as your uterus pushes up against your stomach. Because the movement of food through the digestive tract has slowed, nutrients reach the fetus more efficiently -- generally within one or two hours after meals. Hang in there. When your baby "drops," (first-time moms only), usually in the final month of pregnancy, there will be considerably less pressure on your stomach. Eating several smaller meals throughout the day can work well if you are troubled by heartburn. Try not to eat right before bed. Sleep with your upper body slightly elevated. Antacids that contain calcium will provide heartburn relief, as well as this essential nutrient. Be sure to check with your care provider before taking medications such as Pepcid AC or Zantac.

Whoa, have I been experiencing heartburn. I have never had this problem before being pregnant so this is a very new experience that I am really not liking at all! Tums have become my new best friend. :)

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK:

At 15 centimeters crown to rump, and weighing eight ounces, your baby is getting big! This week, permanent teeth buds are forming behind the milk teeth buds.

Organs of reproduction are developing rapidly, getting ready to sustain future generations. The uterus is clearly visible in the female and the testes are apparent in the male fetus. If your baby is positioned just right on an ultrasound scan, the tiny penis is easily identifiable. So, if you don't wish to know the gender of your baby, ask the technician to alert you before your baby's lower body comes into view.

This baby's getting big? Tell me about it! Any time I'm on my feet for an extended period of time I can feel my lower abdomen get very heavy and then the ligaments start to ache really bad. It's a very strange feeling and one that is quite uncomfortable as you might imagine.

EATING FOR TWO

· Eating healthfully can be a challenge when you're heading out to a restaurant. Here are some tips:

· If ordering meat, always specify that you'd like it to be cooked medium to well done.

· Steer clear of fried foods. Stick with baked, grilled or poached items -- easier on your tummy.

· Order salad as an appetizer. Avoid Caesar salad, which may contain raw egg.

· Avoid eating soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined varieties or Mexican-style cheese.

· Reconsider ordering a sandwich. Ask the restaurant to heat luncheon meats, deli meats, cold cuts or ready-to-eat meat or poultry until steaming.

· When eating bread, think whole-grain.

· Avoid fish that may not be cooked thoroughly, such as sushi or seared Ahi tuna.

· Order desserts that contain fruit.

Really? Avoid undercooked meat and fish? Sometimes I wonder how stupid they think we really are. Do they really need to tell us some of this stuff? Shouldn't this be common knowledge? One would certainly think so!

FACT OF THE WEEK

During weeks 24 to 28, you should have a glucose screen, which can help to detect gestational diabetes. You will be asked to consume a sweetened drink, which contains 50 grams of glucose (sugar). An hour later, blood will be drawn. If the test results come back positive (blood sugar level greater than 140 mg/dl), you will be asked to undergo a more substantial, three-hour glucose-tolerance test (GTT), which will require a fasting blood sugar, followed by a one hour, two hour and three hour test. If the results fall within certain levels, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. It's important to note that not all women who test positive with the initial screen will go on to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

I've taken this test in the past. It's really not that big of a deal other then it taking so long. Oh yeah....and people might think you're a drug addict or something because of all the needle marks in your arms from the 4 times they have to take your blood, lol.