My 18 Week Bump Update

"Your baby is the size of a dragon fruit and is nearly six inches long. Its weight will increase about six-fold over the next month! Your baby is practicing breathing and its chest is moving in rhythm as if breathing air. Your baby's hearing has now fully developed so it can hear the sounds coming from outside the womb much clearer."

How far along: 18 weeks exactly today.

Days until due date: 154 days

My bump: My tummy is still continuing to pop out gradually and is starting to feel a lot harder and firmer now. I have also noticed that I have become a lot more veiny this week (a common pregnancy symptom) and I have two quite obvious veins now showing either side of my stomach.

Weight changes: Pre-pregnancy = 8stone 3lbs. Today = 8stone 9lbs (+6lbs). After not really gaining much in the first 12 to 13 weeks of pregnancy, my weight seems to be going up rather steadily now at 1 lb a week which is right on track. It is a little daunting seeing the scales increase every week when I know I am eating very healthily and still exercising every day so hopefully it is all baby...

Measurements: Pre-pregnancy = 32, 26, 34. Today 33, 27, 35.

Stretch marks? Still no stetch marks to be found. Still slathering on the Palmers Skin Therapy Oil which I love.

Cravings: All the healthy things! Always craving lots of fruit - pink lady apples in particular, but they have to be ice cold from the fridge. I also spotted those Candy Floss grapes for the first time in Waitrose yesterday so had to buy a pack. They could be my new addiction!

Sleep: Sleeping well still especially with my new DreamGenii pillow. I have had a few uncomfortable nights though where I have rolled onto my back and the weight of my tummy causes my lower back to really ache in the morning. I have also found that I have been going to bed even earlier for the last few weeks - by 10pm I feel quite exhausted and just have to crawl under the covers which is crazy as I used to stay up until past midnight most nights watching television with Rob! I definitely feel the benefits though of getting more hours sleep and I always wake up early with bags of energy.

Symptoms: My skin was really suffering last week but this week I can see it is starting to really clear up which I am so happy about. No other major symptoms to report on apart from my veins becoming a lot more noticeable. This happens during pregnancy due to the increased blood supply (up to 40%!)pumping round your body and carrying nutrients to your baby and can show everywhere from your boobs, stomach, hands and legs.

Best moment this week: Trying on last Summer's bikinis in preparation for our holiday to Santorini next week and discovering they still fit me!

Worst moment this week: Saying no to a chunk of Camembert!

Miss anything? The freedom to go places without having to suss out where the nearest toilet is. An increased thirst plus a compressd bladder is not the best combination!

Maternity clothes: Nothing yet but I will definitely need to get myself some matenity jeans when I am back from holiday. If anyone has any recommendation on best places to shop then do let me know.

Movement: Still patiently waiting...

Gender: Unknown and we aren't going to find out either. I think there are so few genuine surprises left in life I couldn't think of anything better than letting this baby be one of them. I plan for Rob to be the one who reveals to me what we've had (if he can see through the tears!) - a little girl or a little boy.

Belly button in/out: In

Wedding Rings on/off: On

Mood: Happy. Energetic. Positive.

Looking forward to: Our holiday to Santorini. We fly out on Sunday for 8 days of sunshine and relaxation - with a few coastal walks and lengths of the swimming pool thrown in to keep us busy! So the next two weeks might feature a special bikini bump update from our Greek Island retreat so stay tuned for that. I am also looking forward to talking to our baby more and playing it music now I know they can fully hear everything that happens outside the womb. Better start devising a playlist!

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