18 weeks and 3 days pregnant

Coiling is now well established in the umbilical cord. This coiling protects the cord from kinking and from pressing on the umbilical arteries and vein. The coils help to ensure that there is a continuous flow of blood both to the placenta and also back to the baby.

Wanting to protect your baby is a natural maternal instinct and it’s likely to have started already.

It’s understandable that you want your baby to have the best start in life, but this may lead you to unnecessary anxiety about his health and wellbeing.

You may find yourself worried about things that previously did not bother you. For example, you may use a computer regularly and only now become concerned about the radiation it might produce.

Try to relax and keep concerns in perspective; remember that your baby is very resilient and well-protected inside the uterus. If you have concerns about lifestyle issues or how your baby is developing, your midwife can provide information and reassurance.

Meanwhile, you can take good care of yourself by eating well, exercising regularly, and attending all your antenatal appointments.

Looking after your bump will become your main concern and there’s unlikely to be a day that goes by when you don’t consider your baby’s wellbeing.

There is no significant radiation from a computer that can affect an unborn baby.

There are laws to limit the amount and types of emissions from a computer. For this reason, they aren’t harmful during pregnancy.

What are the risks if I gain too much weight?

Pregnant women who overeat tend to have larger babies, which can make the delivery more difficult (the baby is more likely to get stuck during the birth) and increase the likelihood of having a Caesarean section.

Pregnant women who are overweight are also more likely to experience health complications, such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Their children may be at greater risk of becoming diabetic and being obese in later life.

Most of the research seems to focus on pregnant women who have gained more than 18kg (40lb).