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18 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
Reaching the 18th week of your pregnancy is pretty much a milestone for any woman. If you are pregnant with twins and are thinking that your babies are halfway through the development already and all you have to do is wait for them to grow up, then you are in for a surprise. There are numerous changes that you will experience in this week and in the coming weeks...right from your appetite to various differences taking place within your body. Certain symptoms of pregnancy can make a minor return in the 18th week and a few new ones could emerge too, catching you off-guard if you aren’t prepared for them. You are halfway through your journey and it is suggested that you prepare for the rest in the best way possible.
The Growth of the Babies at 18 Weeks
Whether you have twins or multiples, their growth in your womb is its usual pace, and sometimes even faster than before. One of the major signs that will assure you that your children are growing in the right sense is their movement taking place inside you. The tumbling around within the womb will be strong enough for you to feel by yourself. The fluttering movements that you feel while you rest are a great sign that your little ones are getting stronger day by day and growing up as well.
In terms of the physical development of your twins or triplets, one of the key changes that take place is around their external surface. A lot of oil will begin to produce on their skin, it is termed as sebum oil and is a result of the sebaceous glands, which on stimulating cause this oil to be secreted in copious amounts. Along with it, there are numerous cells that work in replacing the previous skin that was covering your babies with a newer one. It takes care of the lush soft hair, called lanugo hair, which shed from the body of your babies. The cells, the hair, and the oil secretion all mix together and form a substance called as the vernix. It can be compared with the structure of a creamy cheese of sorts since it is white in colour and fluid in nature. This vernix surrounds the babies completely and prevents their skin from drying out. Furthermore, the temperature of these little ones needs regulation as well, which is achieved through the presence of this covering.
Apart from this, one of the crucial roles that the vernix fulfils comes around the end of the pregnancy. When the babies are on their way out and are passing through the birth canal, they need to combat with the friction through the passage as well as the sudden drop in temperature of the atmosphere. The vernix provides the lubrication which is necessary for supporting the progress of the babies via the canal as well as keeps the children warm until they are wrapped up by the nurses.
What Is the Size of the Babies?
A woman who is pregnant with a single child will that their baby will have grown substantially around this time. The length of the child, again measured from the head to the butt, is roughly around 13 centimetres, while the weight increases rapidly to approximately 150 grams. However, if you are pregnant with twins or triplets, your babies will be small and may weigh less, but not by a large degree. Most of the babies will be as large as a bell pepper.
Common Bodily Changes
The changes in a woman's body that occur around the 18th week of pregnancy are not quite different from those that have been going in the previous week or so. Most of them either reduce in intensity, while others might get stronger.
The body of the mother is under immense physical stress since it has to support all the babies in the womb as well as the body itself. Increased blood flow is a way that your body comes to terms with it, combined with an increased volume of blood production, too. Your heart might be functioning overtime as a result, but your blood pressure is a tad lower than usual in such cases. This can, at times, cause you to have a head rush or a dizzy spell, suddenly making you feel lightheaded even. These occur especially if you change your orientation or stand up quickly from your seat. Lying down on one side for a quick nap can usually set things right.
Hormonal changes impact various areas of your body in mysterious ways. What began as a small irritation can become repetitive this week, especially the condition of dry eyes. All the fluctuating hormones can impact the tear glands in the eyes, causing them to be less watery. You will still manage to wipe tears when you cry, but the usual wetness in your eyes will take a dip. At times, your eyesight can undergo a change as well, causing you to find your usual spectacles to not work as they used to earlier. Contact lens users also face the same dilemma. The best bet is to either use eyedrops or give your eyes a break.
The constant and increased discharge of the leaky fluid from your vagina may get irritating for you. This, too, is a result of increased blood circulation and hormonal fluctuations. It might seem strange that the same hormones, which cause your eyes to dry, are responsible for accelerating the fluid discharge in the vagina. Well, all of us might not be experts on how hormones affect each section of the body, but they sure work in mysterious ways. Nevertheless, just like the issue with eyesight, this is not a reason to worry as the discharge reduces post delivery.
Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy at 18 Weeks
Yes, the 18th week of your pregnancy is no less than a happy time of the journey and one of the best phases of the second trimester. Even so, it is not free from pain, and you will just have to make peace with it as when you will finally hold your twins in your arms, everything will be worth it.
Your babies will continue to grow in size and their weight would increase too this week and over the coming weeks. Your body has no other option but to bear the increasing strain, especially on the back and the lower back region. This pain will increase over time if you do not take ample rest. Light exercises and massages will help in providing relief from this pain.
You will also experience swelling in your body. Swelling in pregnancy is simply due to the boost in blood circulation as well as the tendency of muscles to retain water. All these fluids end up getting pooled in different areas of the body, especially the hands and the feet. Most of the times, a little exercise and massage can reduce the swelling and it will remain nothing but an irritation, which will fade away post-delivery. If suffering from varicose veins, using compression socks would prove to be quite beneficial.
Another minor irritation that gets worse for some women during this week is the tendency to encounter nosebleeds randomly. There’s no way out of it since it is another consequence of a blood circulation boost, affecting every other area of the body.
Twin Pregnancy - Belly at 18 Weeks
The region lying below your navel will begin to expand considerably, as your uterus increases in size with the growth of your babies. Your tummy would be as large as a big muskmelon, with those numerous babies pushing it to expand further. Touching the lower end of your tummy will help you feel your uterus easily.
Twin Pregnancy at 18 Weeks - Ultrasound
When expecting twins or multiples, having an ultrasound scan during the 18th week of pregnancy can provide you with some more information about their growth. Primarily, if your doctor has detected your twins to be present in separate amniotic sacs, the current scan will show you something extraordinary. The constant movement of the babies can clearly depict the stretching of the twins in separate directions. Furthermore, most babies tend to yawn or even suck on their thumbs around this week.
What to Eat
Eating healthy foods the right quantities regularly will keep you and your baby healthy throughout. You need to up your iron intake around this week. Eat lots of iron-rich foods and also drink lots of water now and throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Care Tips
You don’t need to do anything out of ordinary to take care of yourself the right way. But here are a few do's and don'ts that you need to keep in mind.
Dos
Get enough massages and baths to relax and be calm.
Try to sleep on one side so that your blood flow is not obstructed.
Dont's
Don’t be afraid of asking your doctor any questions regarding your baby's health or your own health.
Do not overdo with exercises as it may leave you fatigued.
What You Need to Shop For
Purchase a nice pillow that supports your head properly while you sleep on your side. You can also buy some nice sleeping gowns. And it is also high time to start shopping for your baby too.
The 18th week of pregnancy is much better and relaxed as compared to those weeks of the first trimester when nausea and morning sickness doesn't leave your side. But that doesn't mean you exhaust yourself during this time. Take rest as much as possible and prepare yourself mentally for the demands of the coming trimester. And if you have partner's support during this time, rest assured as all will be fine.
Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 17
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 19 Read more
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Morning After Pill (Plan B) - All Your Questions Answered
The Plan B pill, also called the morning after pill, is usually the first thing women turn to after unprotected sex. When taken right, within a stipulated period of time, the pill can prevent any unwanted pregnancy. Many women have a lot of questions when it comes to the pill, which may be regarding its safety, effectiveness and more. Here is a complete set of information about the Plan B pill, how it works, its success rate and everything in between.
What is Plan B One-Step Morning After Pill?
Plan B one-step pill is an emergency contraception pill that can be used after having unprotected sex. It is also called the morning after pill. However, it is best to take the pill immediately after you engage in unprotected sex to increase its effectiveness.
How Effective is the Plan B Pill?
The Plan B pill, when taken within the duration of 72 hours after engaging in unprotected sex, is about 89% effective. When taken within 24 hours after sex, it can lower the chance of pregnancy by about 95%.
How Does the Plan B Pill Work?
Plan B one step is a single tablet emergency contraception that has levonorgestrel, which is a female hormone responsible for prevention ovulation. This hormone can prevent the ovary from release an egg or make it harder for the sperm or the fertilized egg to get to the uterus by causing changes in the lining of the uterus and the cervical mucus.
Levonorgestrel is the same hormone used in birth control pills, but Plan B has a higher dose of it, about 1.5 milligrams.
Taking the Morning-After Pill
The important thing to remember about the Plan B pill is, the sooner the better. Here is more information about when and how you should take the pill.
Who Should Take the Morning After Pill?
The morning after pill is ideal for women who have missed their birth control pills or faced a failure using birth control methods, like tearing of the condom or if you haven’t used birth control.
When to Take the Morning After Pill?
The Plan B pill should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The sooner you take it the better is its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
How to Take the Plan B pill?
Plan B is a single dose oral pill that needs to be consumed within 3 days (72 hours) after having unprotected sex. Hence, it is best to have it ready to prevent any delay.
When to Avoid Taking Plan B?
It is best to avoid Plan B when you are pregnant, as it will not be effective. Also, do not use the pill if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or other components in the pill. Women who weight over 75 kg or 165 lb may find that Plan B isn’t very effective. This is because women who are overweight produce more drug metabolising enzymes through the liver reducing the effectiveness of the pill.
How Often Can You Take Plan B?
Plan B should only be taken when your regular birth control pills and methods fail. It is an emergency pill and is effective only when taken immediately after unprotected sex or in the event that birth control methods have failed. It does not offer any protection as a long-term contraceptive.
Is it Safe to Take Plan B With Your Regular Birth Control Method?
Plan B only works if taken after unprotected sex and is not effective if taken before engaging in unprotected sex.
It is safe to take Plan B even if you are using regular birth control pills, in the event that you’ve missed a few doses. However, it should never be used in place of regular birth control pills.
Plan B Side Effects
Plan B is generally safe when taken as per the directions. Some of the possible side effects include:
Nausea
Unusual flow, heavier or lighter than normal
Irregular periods, earlier or later than normal
Lower abdominal cramps
Headache
Dizziness
Tenderness in the breast
Vomiting
Fatigue
The pill may cause some unexpected bleeding or spotting in some women during the interval before their next period. If you find that your period is delayed by over a week, then you will need to check with a doctor and get a pregnancy test.
Also, in case you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, you should consult your doctor and ask if another pill needs to be taken.
Safety
While the pill is largely safe for most women, you may need to keep in mind a few things to prevent any potential complications.
Drugs that Affect the Morning After Pill
It is always recommended that you keep your doctor informed about all the drugs that you are using. Do not use an over-the-counter drug if you are already under medications.
Some of the drugs or herbal products that may interfere with the effectiveness of the Plan B pill are:
Rifampin like Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane
barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), butabarbital (Butisol), or secobarbital (Seconal).
medications prescribed for seizures like phenytoin, or carbamazepine
bosentan
griseofulvin
oxcarbazepine
felbamate
St John's wort
Topiramate
Certain HIV/AIDS medications
What if You are Already Pregnant and Take the Morning After Pill?
Taking the morning after pill when you are already pregnant will not have any effect at all. Pregnant women who take the pill will find that the treatment is ineffective and it does not cause harm to the development of the baby.
How Soon Will You Gain Your Fertility After Taking Plan B?
Plan B prevents ovulation for the cycle that you take the pill for and your fertility will return to normal within the next cycle. Hence, it is best if you start using regular birth control pills as soon as possible, as the pill you took won’t be able to protect you from unprotected sex during that cycle.
Other Important Information:
Here is some more information about the Plan B pill that may be helpful.
How to Know if the Morning-After Pill Worked?
You will know that the pill has worked when you get your next period at the regular time. In case your period is delayed by a week or more, it is recommended that you take a pregnancy test or consult a doctor as there are chances that you may be pregnant.
The Plan B will is likely to not work if you have has unprotected sex earlier in the cycle. The pill also doesn’t protect you from unprotected sex again in the same cycle, as one pill protects against one instance of unprotected sex. It may also not work if you vomit within two hours or taking the pill. In this case, you may talk to your doctor about taking another pill.
How Long After Taking Plan B One-Step Can You Resume Your Regular Contraceptive?
You can take your birth control pills on the same day that you’ve taken the Plan B. It is important to take get back to your regular contraceptive pills to avoid getting pregnant in case you have unprotected sex within the same cycle.
What if You Miss the Dose?
If you miss the dose and are not able to get your hands on a Plan B within 72 hours after having unprotected sex, your risk of getting pregnant will increase considerably.
During this event, it is advised to consult a doctor immediately to discuss any other options.
Does Plan-B Protect Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's)?
No. Plan B does not prevent you against any STIs or HIV/AIDS. It is always safe to use a condom during sex to prevent contracting STIs. It may also be beneficial if you and your partner have an open conversation about STIs and get tested and treated.
When is the Morning After Pill Less Likely to Work?
Plan B is less likely to work if you take it later than 72 hours after pregnancy. The pill is also no effective if you are already pregnant. It is also not likely to work in women who are overweight and weigh over 165lb or 75 kg. It is absolutely not effective in women who weigh more than 175 lb or over 80kg.
Where Can You Buy Plan B and How Much Does it Cost?
Plan B can be bought over-the-counter at drugstores. It does not require any prescription and has no age limit. It costs about Rs. 75 at the drugstore.
Emergency contraception options like the Plan B pill are a boon to many women who want to prevent unwanted pregnancy that may stem out of unprotected sex. When taken the right way, within the right duration, it can be quite effective for many women. However, it is important to understand that it only offers protection for a specific time period and cannot be used as a regular method of contraception. Also, it is always best to ensure proper protection and safety during sex to avoid instances of unprotected sex and pregnancy scares.
Also Read: Understanding & Using a Birth Control Patch Read more
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What does it really takes to bring up a confident and a happy child?

Even before a mother conceives, family starts dreaming about the child she will give birth to! You start building up various imaginations. Finally going through the roller coaster journey of 9 months pregnancy and excitement for 'Mum to be', you are blessed with a new life; a baby to hold and love to the most.
Does the journey ends here? No, here comes the challenge of winning the race of best parenting. Every parent wants to give a best shot to it. They start giving healthy meals to their children, start arranging for all required things for them to grow happily or start finding for the best playschool or formal school in town. Most of the parents follow the same track like many others.
Do you know what really matters? Before a child steps out to a school, parents become his/her first teacher. They will follow the way you talk, you eat, you walk, and every thing you practice from morning till evening in your daily life. The children are very fast learners and will pick all these very soon. So, first and foremost secret is to mark your own actions!
Next comes the manners, culture and behavior you teach your child. It is truly said that the culture comes from family! Respecting elders at home or behaving well with family members is just not sufficient. It is important to behave good with everyone and anyone you come across because your child learns the same. The aura of your big chair in your profession or your grandeur lifestyle should not impact your child at all. Explain them at times what efforts it took to get all this. Let your child not realize the differences in people with difference of profession in the community. You are supposed to behave well whether its a maid, a helper, a cleaner, a guard, a sabjiwala bhaiya or anyone outside family because self respect is important for everyone even if they don't demand.
Routine is the key to success. Once your child is accustomed to a daily routine, it will solve most of your problems. Plan the day for them and create a time-table with a balance! "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Also, its important to define the tolerance level for deviation in the time table made. Sometimes punishment to cut down some of the favorite part of the routine will help your child to learn the importance of time!
Boost the confidence of your child. They say love your child the way he or she is. It is of-course the best idea. Never force your child to do the activities he/she is not interested in and if at all it is important, you can set the right motivation by counseling and giving examples but no comparisons. Give them the free space to try everything and it will automatically come out where their heart lies. Praise them for things they are good at. If not doing well in studies, explain them the reasons logically being calm and tell them to practice more and will do better next time. Believe in your children and they will grow with confidence!
Reward your child but its also important to say "No" at times.Never bribe your child or fix deals in advance to do homework or any work given. Do not fulfill their each and every demand and learn to say "No" if its not important rather if you reward them unexpectedly on their achievements or good work, it will surely boost up their desire to do more to the next level. This will stop them from being demanding and will also make them realize that they are recognized for their good efforts. We all love to be recognized and do the best for it!
It is also very important to deal with the resistance of your child to accept everything you ask them. Giving your time may help! You may now think that asking so much from them is not easy. They will react and may not follow. But there are ways to deal with this resistance. Start spending 'only you and me' time with them with full attention keeping your mobiles, TV remotes, newspapers or anything favorite far away. Talk to them about what they like and where they are facing problems. Be more of a friend than a parent. They need you around in whatever they do. Play, laugh, crack jokes and let them know about some of your failures too and that everyone is not perfect. Praise them and fill with good thoughts or memories before they go to bed. Ask them about their favorite part of the day. Let them express. Tell them that they are the best ever gift God has given you in your lifetime. They will start feeling ten feet tall and you will definitely see a happy and a confident child growing in your arms! Your part is done and rest lies with them.
Happy Parenting!
Shalini Singh Read more
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Why Playing is the Most Important Part of Development in a Child
Playing as we all know is one of the most interesting activity a child likes to indulge in. In earlier times, kids use to spend their evenings playing with their friends. But in today's time, as we all know, playing has a new meaning i.e., it means playing on the mobile.We all have faced this situation where however hard we try to reduce screen time for our kids it does not happen. In the end, they are with their gadgets!
So here I am listing down the importance of playing without gadgets.
1. It makes the bond between your child and others stronger.
If we are not playing with our kids and just giving them gadgets, then the bond between the child and her parents gets weaker. But when you spend time playing with your child, you get more time with each other and you understand each other in a better way.
2. Your child becomes fit physically.
It is a universal fact that if we don't use a thing then the thing becomes rotten. Similarly, if we don't allow our child to play outside in the garden or the jungle gym then slowly and gradually the child becomes lethargic and feels lazy. This leads to obesity. Obesity does not just have physical side-effects but it can also lead to your child feeling mentally depressed and losing self-confidence.
3. Your child becomes social.
We as parents should always take our time and take kids outside, like to parks or gardens, where they'll get to be close to nature, and meet new people and play with them. When we do this the child learns different things from people around her and also learns the concept of sharing, which helps the child become happy and content.
And in the end, the most important aspect is that the child gets to know the real world and real things by touching and feeling it which is a crucial part of development.So, reduce your child's screen time and encourage them to go out and play.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Sindhu has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
16 hours ago
Q. I am 13 weeks pregnant and I have a low lying placenta. Is it a risk ?
Sindhu
Mom of a Newborn boy
14 hours ago
A. We can't say now in 8th months scan only we can say surely.anyway consultation is important
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
15 hours ago
Q. my quadruple test shows trisomy 21 and my Dr. insist for amniocentesis but my family is not agree for that they are saying it's a god gift and he will care for baby.
so what should I do?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
15 hours ago
A. you had to take a decision along with your family members and the treating doctor ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
15 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts mere period miss hue 10 hue to dr ne mujhe pregnancy test ke liye bola aur results positive aaya hai magar mujhe koi symptoms nahi nazar aa rahe what does it means
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. wait. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Rashmi has added a new answer
Father of a 4 yr old child
12 hours ago
Q. my 2 years boy using left hand for picking any thing.how can I avoid this
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. Kids mostly prefer using the left hand only as a very comfortable and that’s a very natural thing for them to use so if you want to change this habit you just have to constantly remind or tell your child to use the right hand that is what you can do as in India we believe that only right hand should be used for everything but actually if you see the kids using the left hand is very comfortable and there is no problem in that
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 hours ago
Q. how to protect baby from mosquito bites as we are using all out in our room but still mosquitoes are biting my baby and the area is swelled and baby is feeling itchy. please suggest something to avoid bites. some home remedies also.
Read moreDr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. you can use mosquito control measures make the child were full watch and make the area sanitize and specially the corner should be cleaned regularly consult your doctor for more guidance
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. helo sir...i m 31 weeks pregnancy...mujd rat s na stomach tighting ho rha hain...or movements bhut kam jo rhi hain....to m kya kru...
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. आपको डॉक्टर से मिलना पड़ेगा क्योंकि बिना डॉक्टर से मिले तकलीफ के बारे में ठीक से पताt नहीं चलेगा क्योंकि ऐसी तकलीफों के लिए पूरे शरीर का एग्जामिनेशन करना पड़ता है। दवा भी डॉक्टर से मिलने के बाद ही दी जा सकती है।
डॉक्टर बताएंगे कि आगे की ट्रीटमेंट पद्धति कैसी होगी। f
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