Week
Week 18
Each baby is about the size of a bell pepper this week
- Weight each
- 190 g · 7 oz
- Length each
- 14.2 cm · 5.6 in
What's happening this week
Ears have found their final spot on three little heads, and all of them can now hear the muffled soundtrack of you — your heartbeat, your voice, the whoosh of your blood. Three babies, one shared lullaby.
This is often the week of the big scan, where each baby gets checked over individually. Don't worry if one seems a touch ahead and another a touch behind — your team is watching the whole picture, not chasing a single number.
Three little wonders this week
- A protective coating called myelin is starting to wrap around their nerves, a project that keeps building well past their first birthday.
- If you're expecting girls, tiny uteruses are already tucked in place; if boys, things are now visible enough to spot on a scan.
- All three are yawning, stretching, and sporting a complete set of fingerprints.
The triplet twist
Getting a good look at three wriggling babies takes a lot longer than a standard scan, so settle in — an hour or more is normal, and you might get asked back for a peek at whoever was hiding.
Something to look forward to
- This is often the window for finding out who's who — though one shy baby might mean a follow-up scan in a couple of weeks.
- About 6 weeks left until the viability milestone.
To Mom:
Getting a glimpse of all three of your babies is such a big milestone, and it's okay if you feel a whirlwind of emotions. Be gentle with yourself—you are doing a wonderful job navigating this unique journey.