Fetal Development Weeks 18 Through 21

See what's happening with your baby in the fifth month of your pregnancy.

By the editors of Parents magazine

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Week 18

The unique swirls and whorls that are your baby's fingerprints begin to appear at the tips of her fingers this week. Her hands begin to make grasping motions, and she might even start sucking her thumb. This self-soothing habit can stick around into a child's toddlerhood and beyond, but all kids give it up eventually.

The placenta, that all-important nurturing organ, is now almost as big as the baby herself. Besides providing her with a steady diet of nutrients and oxygen, this dark blobby mass also receives waste products from the fetus's blood and deposits them in the mother's blood. The waste is then filtered out by the mother's kidneys.

Next: Week 19

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Comments

Comments (56)

cblackburn121 wrote:

iam 20 weeks and 4 days and myhusband and I are having a sweet baby boy we cant wait this is our first we are so excited I feel him moving already seems like when i listion to music he moves more maybe a little football/ music player in there. due oct 25th cant wait!!!!

6/10/2011 01:08:51 PM Report Abuse

frog2713 wrote:

im 18weeks 3 days and im on my 4th baby and 4th c-sectioni just found out its a boy

5/20/2011 08:41:09 AM Report Abuse

puppylove_1 wrote:

This is my first baby and I'll be eighteen weeks in three days; daddy wants a boy and my mother-in-law had dreams of a healthy fat little girl so I find out Feb 16 I'll be twenty weeks I just hope for a healthy baby that will put the fighting aside lol either way I am so excited to find out and just see a picture of my little princess or prince!

1/27/2011 02:53:29 PM Report Abuse

norma_elias06 wrote:

i'm 18 weeks and i have two older boys and the doc said i would feel my baby earlier than my other two but i didnt i felt my baby for the first time about a two weeks ago, and i have my ultrasound in two weeks. i had an ultrasound at 13 weeks and they said 80% its a girl so i'm hoping the remaining 20% is a girl as well wish me luck on Feb.8th.

1/25/2011 04:32:04 PM Report Abuse

Aliciaruss42 wrote:

this is my 1st baby and i can already feel the baby move iam 19 weeks so in 2 wks i will find out the baby sex but the heartbeat is really good. My boyfriend and i are excited about the baby and cant wait for the baby to come seems like forever

11/2/2010 09:23:22 PM Report Abuse

Aliciaruss42 wrote:

11/2/2010 09:21:39 PM Report Abuse

jimeia_06 wrote:

ugh well im 19 weeks and on monday i get to find out what i am havin lately i have felt bad light headed and dizzy and i just wish the dr appt wud hurry and get here everyone in my family thinks its a girl and just to day i seen a girl who didnt know i was pregnant and she had a dream that i was havin a girl so maybe it is hopefully i already have two boys and a girl i wud love another girl for the last baby

10/25/2010 04:26:52 PM Report Abuse

peachez10102001 wrote:

this is my first little one i am 18 weeks but i dont feel the so called lively kicks or movements i dont think any thing is wrong with my baby because it has a good heart beat,,,,is that normal?

10/19/2010 07:32:14 PM Report Abuse

jenny.alabamagirl wrote:

I am almost 18 weeks pregnant with fraternal twins. I can feel my babies move a little. I'm kinda scared. Can anyone give me some advice? I have other children, but this is my first set of twins.

9/26/2010 12:59:22 PM Report Abuse

mailen19851 wrote:

I'm really excited:) i started feeling my baby, when i was around 2 months:) I'm 19 weeks and on the 20th of this month, i'm gonna find out what i'm having:) i want a little girl, because i already have a BOY... i had dreams of babies, but little girls could that be a sign i'm having a little girl:)

9/14/2010 07:22:51 PM Report Abuse

cmh896201 wrote:

im 18 weeks now and we found out friday that we are having a baby boy. I'm so excitied because I got my wish. I had a good feeling I was having a boy and I am, so I'm really happy. I went to the mall and purchased his first outfit lol. I was really excited and I couldn't help it.

9/13/2010 07:43:13 PM Report Abuse

vampirevixen25 wrote:

i found out i was having a lil girlat 17 weeks yeah i am excitedalready got her name now i am 19 weeks and the fkutters/ bubbles are more frequent which i assume means ill be able to feel her movements more distinctly very soon at least i hope so lol i am nervous wreck waiting for things too happen

8/16/2010 03:14:59 PM Report Abuse

Blahss wrote:

I'm 17weeks and we just found out yesterday we are having a BOY!!! so funny cuz my mil and husband had a dream that i was having a boy... i guess their dreams were correct. lol.

7/20/2010 01:45:15 PM Report Abuse

ashrcochran07 wrote:

this is my first child and i feel like i may being having a girl.....i will be 19 weeks in two days and i find out for sure what the sex of the baby is on the 21st!!!! Im very anxious to start shopping for this little one!!

7/16/2010 10:30:41 PM Report Abuse

fatuesicrew wrote:

well, went to doc today..... blessed with my FOURTH grl, im happy she's healthy jus was really prayn for that boy.. but God knws whts best so, im happy n my grls r thrilled. my yungest was sure it was a grl so whn he told me i looked at her like...10-10-10 it is....

5/25/2010 12:48:25 AM Report Abuse

vacinquawomack wrote:

I am 19weeks! I find out what I am having on the 24th of this month. I am hoping for a boy! I have a girl already! But a lot of people say I look like I am carrying a girl!(how is that look) But this time around was so different from my lil girl! I had morning sickness up until 17weeks(this time) dont really have any cravings...But as long as I have a healthy lil one! thats all that matters!

5/16/2010 04:11:39 PM Report Abuse

mgm0910 wrote:

Iam 18 wks pregnant and doc and see wether is a boy or a girl.Im hoping for a boy since its my last one

5/14/2010 09:14:30 PM Report Abuse

shelleymay81 wrote:

I am 20 weeks pregnant. This is my 3rd child but my boyfriends 1st. I have 2 beautiful boys and found out we are haveing a little girl, we are excited but nerves at the sametime. We are nervous because my boys are alittle bit hyper active, and we are worried about the noise and how they are going to behave with the baby. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to help prepare them for a baby in the house?

5/4/2010 02:31:23 PM Report Abuse

kandj_mcgowan wrote:

i am 20 wks and my pregagncy has been so different then when i was carring my daughter soo i thought i was having boy but found out last wk its 75% a girl.. i gained from the start of my daughters pregagncy to 50lbs and this one lost 17lbs so far and doctor says its ok..everyone says i am going to have a boy but the ultarsound was straight view between thighs and doctor said he doesnt see any boy parts..what do you think?

4/29/2010 09:50:48 AM Report Abuse

myleathall05 wrote:

Hello to all i am 21 weeks pregnant with my first child. We have learned that I will deliver a boy!!! I really wanted a girl but oh well long as my baby is healthy. I have lots of concerns....

4/26/2010 10:08:31 PM Report Abuse

jamilee921 wrote:

Tonya52274 I know how you and your husband are feeling. I too have three amazing boys and this was really my last shot. The good news is it is a girl and like you my pregnancy was completely different. I hope you get good news too:)

4/7/2010 12:19:50 PM Report Abuse

tonya52274 wrote:

I am 16 weeks pregant and in 2 weeks I will find out if I will make my husband cry for the first time or not at an ultrasound. We have 3 gorgeous boys but i feel so different this time and hoping i am giving him a girl!!!!!

3/24/2010 01:20:52 PM Report Abuse

mistyrion wrote:

I am 17 weeks on MOnday and so excited to have an ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby..... I want a boy so bad I can taste it. I believe its a boy? I am carrying low and eat like madd all the time. With my daughter I could not eat hardly at all. so I beleive we are having a boy. Boys are just so great and there is nothing like a mother and son love. I am sure all can agree that we love all of our children but girls are daddys and boys are mommys:)

3/11/2010 08:58:53 AM Report Abuse

pfeifferfam wrote:

I am 19 weeks pregnant we found out we are having a boy when I was just 10 weeks along, that's right 10 weeks. I thought it impossible to find out that early but it was re-confirmed at my 18 week appointment. My doc is a specialist, So I guess she is just that good! Either way, boy or girl a baby is a gift from God, and I would love him/her with 1/3 of my heart (I am mother of 2 beautiful girls already) Can't wait to meet our little Everrett in July!!!

3/10/2010 07:28:14 AM Report Abuse

tinikiaeaster27 wrote:

I am 17 weeks pregnant.I have to wait till next month to know what I am having.That is too long for me.lolI am hoping I have a girl but my mom husband and stepdaughter wants a boy but I want a girl.Hope I get what I want.lol

3/7/2010 12:12:08 PM Report Abuse

shyannahhall wrote:

Im 20 weeks. and i am hoping for a boy. i already have a girl of my own and a step daughter. The doctor want me to wait til next month and it seem so far away. still got to find a boy name that i really like. All we have came up with is girl names.

2/22/2010 04:10:52 PM Report Abuse

janetcyc_y wrote:

I AM 18 WEEKS NOW I HOPE I HAVE A BABY BOY.I ALWAYS PRAY TO THE GOD THAT I HAVE BABY BOY.THIS IS THE SECOND CHILD ALREADI.HOPE GOD CAN GIVE ME BABY BOY ADN DURING THE NEXT VISIT DOCTOR CAN TELL ME THAT "IT IS A BOY"

2/9/2010 10:12:43 PM Report Abuse

angieandscott1 wrote:

I am 19 weeks today!!! My doctor is making us wait till the 24th of this month to find out what we are having and its driving me nuts lol by then ill be 21 weeks....blah. With the other 2 i found out at 16 and 17 weeks....well its ok the baby will be more ready by then i guess...lol. I am just ready to find out what me and my husband are having!!!

2/8/2010 03:57:56 PM Report Abuse

vjsh808 wrote:

I am now 19 weeks pregnant... last week we found out we're having a BOY!! I've always wanted a boy first, so i couldn't be happier. Can't wait to see little Paxen Jace in the end of June!!!

2/2/2010 06:33:08 PM Report Abuse

sreeves16 wrote:

I am 18 weeks. I went to find out the anatomy of the baby at 16 weeks and the baby kept its legs closed (LOL). I swear I am having a girl now because of that. For the first time my fiance and I have divided on the sex of the baby front. He now wants a boy and I want a little girl (our first child). I hope we have a little girl.

1/26/2010 09:57:55 AM Report Abuse

ashleighzoey wrote:

dang i idint know she was that big...it fells like yesterday when i found out i was prgo..

1/26/2010 09:14:41 AM Report Abuse

AmberLynn515 wrote:

I am 21 weeks this week & having a little boy, Levi James (: He has been SO active, I feel like my tummy is turning ALL of the time!! I wonder if that means he will be a very active baby? I've heard both ways.. Anyone have an opinion on that?

1/3/2010 09:41:00 PM Report Abuse

lenakin4 wrote:

im 17 weeks pregnant i found out im haveing a another boy!!! i really wanted a girl but i didnt know they could see the babys gentals until 24weeks,i also havent felt my baby move yet i really cant remember how many weeks i was with my first son but i pray for a beautiful normal heathy son jun,18,10 here he comes lol mommy love her boys!!

1/2/2010 12:27:20 AM Report Abuse

justinsamsprague wrote:

I am 21 weeks pregnant and just found out we are having a little GIRL!!!!! Look out world here comes Frankie Claire!!!!

12/27/2009 05:21:12 PM Report Abuse

vanz_21_2010 wrote:

wow ia am on baby number four and i have had problems with every pregnancy! i am 18 weeks and i havent felt the baby move i wonder if thats normal i dont remember how far along i was with the other 3! can somebody help me remember plz???

12/19/2009 10:44:29 PM Report Abuse

mrskdrummer wrote:

I'll be 21 weeks on Tues. O'm very excited, but yet freaked out a little. My last child that I had was 19 years ago. I had forgotten what it was like to be pregnant. Seeing our son on the ultrasound was the coolest thing. The technolgy has changed a lot since my youngest son was born.

12/5/2009 11:00:48 PM Report Abuse

rachaelgriffith87 wrote:

I am 19 weeks pregnant and I was told yesterday that it looks like a little boy, but the cord was between its legs so their going to do another ultrasound January 4th just to be 100% positive, but I know it's mommy's little boy! My husband and my mom say that their waiting till the next ultrasound cause they were both convinced it was a girl. So I guess we shall see.

12/1/2009 12:37:30 PM Report Abuse

rachel_gongora07 wrote:

Im 21 week pregnant and i find out dec 9 if im having a boy or girl and im so excited for the most part i dont care what gender i just hope it comes out healthy and beautiful or handsome lol

11/25/2009 12:53:31 PM Report Abuse

love4me85 wrote:

I am 19 weeks and we found out we are having a GIRL !!!!!

11/24/2009 01:03:34 PM Report Abuse

nateshia03 wrote:

hi board, im 19 weeks and my daughter wants a little girl so bad. I hope its a girls for her sake i dont want her to be disapointed. I really dont have no preferrence i just want a healty child. Ill find out on black friday the sex. lol

11/18/2009 06:39:04 PM Report Abuse

ramona_johnson2941580 wrote:

My little one crossed his/her legs and didn't let us find out what he/she is!!!! He/she has my sour sense of humor!!! I love it already!

11/17/2009 10:42:26 AM Report Abuse

r1grace wrote:

Hey we find out December 2nd. We are having twins! I have a step daughter who, is MY daughter! I am praying the twins come out healthy, 2nd please let me have 1 BOY. Thats not asking 2 much, is it? I am 33 and these are my first birth children, so excited

11/17/2009 09:58:24 AM Report Abuse

kaseyleach22 wrote:

I am 20 weeks and yesterday we finally found out were having a little girl!!!!

11/6/2009 12:37:28 PM Report Abuse

schmallsinmontana wrote:

I am 20 weeks and have 2 more weeks to wait for the ultrasound. This is baby #4 and we have 2 girls and 1 boy. We are hoping for a boy to even things out.

11/5/2009 05:23:35 PM Report Abuse

YUNG.KUNTRY wrote:

im 21 weeks pregnant! this is my first child, and i cant wait to see what im having..i hoping for a boy, there's alot of girls in my family...

11/4/2009 02:08:47 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

well this monday i ma 18 weeks. i already have a two year old son. so we are excited on the new bab's gender. a healthy baby is more important. but knowing ahead gives time to plan. i find out on 11-19-09. so excited. a blessing of news before thanksgiving.

11/3/2009 12:27:27 PM Report Abuse

phrasiernat wrote:

I am 18 weeks and find out we are having a girl which we are happy about. I am praying that our baby is healthy.

11/3/2009 12:23:25 PM Report Abuse

chuckdaddy5 wrote:

I am 18 weeks and just found out I will be having a girl again so excited to have two daughters!! We had the 3D ultra sound done and if anyone has a chance to do that it is amazing!!

11/1/2009 08:28:14 PM Report Abuse

dadirtysouthcrazygirl wrote:

im 21 wks...i cant wait to c wat im having this week cuz its really killing me that i dont know yet

10/31/2009 07:59:44 PM Report Abuse

angle.lyle wrote:

angle28 im 19weeks 9th baby and i feel little movement so i know its real

10/27/2009 01:54:10 PM Report Abuse

v.nika18 wrote:

just turned 17 weeks, and ive felt the baby fluttering 4 around 3 days. I have two sons 10 and 8 but untill i felt the fluttering again it did not feel real. Now im even more excited!next wek i find out the sex yaaa!

10/27/2009 01:38:41 PM Report Abuse

dawkinsa27 wrote:

i am 17 weeks and it is killing me cause i dont know what i am having ....this is my second baby and my first baby boy is 3yrs old ....and i am so happy but i had forgot about how it feels being pregnant ............but God is good and i am still happy me and my husband planed this baby .......i just wish i was not sooooooooooo sick :0)........still

10/26/2009 02:44:25 AM Report Abuse

angelcartner wrote:

ya try having twins in there. im 20 weeks going to find out in a few days what these babies r. and still having slight morning sicknes. i sometimes feels like they cant agree on what they wantto eat. lol !

10/22/2009 11:47:52 AM Report Abuse

greenidlady34 wrote:

18 weeks ... feel movements off and on.. this is my fifth and a boy.. chinese calculator was wrong.. =)

10/21/2009 07:27:54 PM Report Abuse

daonlym3 wrote:

At 20weeks I can feel my lil boys movement so strongly.It makes me anxious until i remember your first labor is the longest and hardest.All of this is so new to me but im too excited.

10/20/2009 05:08:33 PM Report Abuse

bankheadtierra wrote:

being 20 weeks just let me know i'm more closer to having the baby.

10/17/2009 10:38:40 AM Report Abuse

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