Your baby's muscles flex with new control

What to expect

Your baby’s starting to move like a tiny acrobat, even if you can’t feel it yet. Those limbs that were twitching randomly now bend with more control. Elbows and knees flex, fingers grasp, and toes might curl. Some babies even suck their thumbs this early.

Eyelids are fused shut, but they’re no longer see-through. Little muscles around the eyes let them squint against bright light (if you shine a flashlight on your belly, your baby might shy away). Eyebrows and eyelashes are starting to sprout too.

Under the surface

Taste buds are forming, and amniotic fluid carries flavors from what you eat. Early studies suggest babies exposed to garlic or carrot flavors in utero recognize them after birth. Bone marrow is starting to make blood cells, taking over from the liver.

• Skin secrets. A fine hair called lanugo covers your baby’s body (it helps hold vernix, that waxy protective coating). Underneath, sweat glands are forming.
• Ear upgrades. Those tiny ears are shifting position, they started low near the neck but are migrating to head-level now. Hearing keeps improving too.
• Practice breathing. The diaphragm moves up and down, ‘inhaling’ amniotic fluid. It’s training for those first real breaths after birth.

Things to be aware of

Round ligament pain might surprise you this week as your uterus expands. A sudden sharp jab low in your belly (often on one side) when you stand or cough? That's likely the bands supporting your uterus stretching. Bending at the hips instead of the waist helps.

Skin changes are wild right now. That dark line down your belly? Totally normal (it’s called the linea nigra). Some people notice little skin tags or moles darkening too, hormones, not sun damage. Mention any rapid changes to your provider, but most fade postpartum.

Headaches can creep in thanks to increased blood volume and shifting hormones. Dehydration makes them worse. Sip water steadily (your urine should look like pale lemonade), and ask about safe pain relief if they’re stubborn. Sudden, severe headaches warrant a call.

• Varicose veins. Progesterone relaxes blood vessels, so veins might bulge (especially if they run in your family). Compression socks help, and elevating your feet at night takes pressure off.
• Stuffiness without a cold. ‘Pregnancy rhinitis’ means swollen nasal membranes. A humidifier and saline spray can ease it. Decongestants? Check with your provider first.
• Forgetfulness. ‘Pregnancy brain’ is real for many, likely due to hormonal shifts affecting short-term memory. Write things down, and cut yourself slack.

What might happen

The anatomy scan is coming up soon (usually between weeks 18–22). It’s the big one where they check all your baby’s organs and limbs in detail. Some providers offer early gender guesses around now, but accuracy improves closer to 20 weeks.

Your provider might start measuring your fundal height (the distance from pubic bone to top of uterus) at appointments now. It roughly matches your week count in centimeters, so around 15 cm this week. It’s one way to track growth.

If you haven’t felt kicks yet

First-time parents often don’t feel movement until weeks 18–22. It might start as tiny bubbles or rolls (like popcorn popping low in your belly). Later pregnancies often notice it earlier. Position of the placenta matters too, anterior placentas muffle kicks longer.

‘Is that gas or the baby?’ is the most relatable pregnancy question.