Can I still perform any usual routine of exercise now that I am in the 2nd trimester?
This will depend on the nature of your routine exercise. For women who engage in brisk walking and jogging, they can still continue as this is very safe for mother and baby, as for as you do not go beyond your exercise tolerance level. This is to say that as soon as you feel tired or exhausted, you have to stop that particular exercise and you should make your exercise target modest and realistic. You may not be able to meet these exercise targets you use to achieve in your pre-pregnancy state. Swimming and cycling are also safe. Some exercises are no longer realistic at this stage of pregnancy. Some examples are skiing and horse riding as they increase the chances of accidents due to an alteration of your postural balance in pregnancy.
I am a first timer, and I have not felt fetal movement at 18 weeks, is anything wrong with my baby?
As early as 12 weeks, the fetus has started making in coordinate movements. The movements only become more co-ordinated later in pregnancy. These early fetal movement are not felt by the pregnant woman because of the Cushing effect of the amniotic fluid and the layers of muscles. At about 18 weeks women who have been pregnant before and some very observant first times start to feel bubbling and fluttering sensation like butterflies, little fishes or wind and subsequently start feeling fetal movement.
If you are not yet feeling fetal movement of 18 weeks and you are a first timer, it is not so alarming. It will be however wise to have an ultrasound done to reassure you of the well being of the baby. A simple ultrasound scan will not take anything from you but only reassure you that all is well.
