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You’re on week 19 of your pregnancy now, and time has gone by so fast! In just a few short months, your baby has gone from looking like a tiny tadpole to being a small baby.
If you’re 19 weeks pregnant, that means that you’re in the fifth month of your pregnancy. You’re approximately halfway there! Here’s what you can expect on week 19 of pregnancy:
Your baby at week 19 of pregnancy
Have you wondered what your baby looks like inside the womb at 19 weeks pregnant? Your baby has grown a lot in recent weeks, and it’s practicing a lot of the functions that it will need once delivery comes.
The baby's body is being covered by Vernix Caseosa. It resembles cream cheese and serves to protect the delicate skin from drying and hardening which can be caused by amniotic fluid. This coating is made up of lanugo, dead skin cells, and natural oils from your baby’s glands. The vernix is shed before birth, but you could still see some of it when you meet your baby - especially if the baby comes a bit early.
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How big is your baby at 19 weeks pregnant?
Your 19 weeks pregnant baby is now the size of a mango! Your baby has been increased significantly in size and weight each week, and there are new records this week: 6 in (15,3 cm) and 8.5 oz (240 g).
Position of baby at 19 weeks pregnant
This is the stage in the pregnancy when you might be excited because you can get to know the sex of upcoming bundle of joy. The baby has grown enough that the lungs start forming. The skin is also getting plenty of protection from the vernix caseosa, preventing it from becoming so wrinkled due to being in soaked in amniotic fluid for so long.
Because he’s in so much space, the baby floating around. Most of the time, however, the baby’s head will be up towards your chest with the feet extending to the bottom of the uterus.
Pregnancy week 19 fetal development
There are lots of exciting things going on during your baby’s 19-week fetal development. The first hair appears on the baby's head, and the brain areas responsible for the senses — tactile, gustatory, olfactory, visual and auditory — are developing rapidly.
On a 19 -week fetus, their reproductive system is also developing quickly. If you’re carrying a girl, her uterus, vagina, and Fallopian tubes are already in place. Her ovaries also contain millions of underdeveloped eggs! And if you’re having a boy, his genitalia is still growing, and his testicles have already formed.
Since your baby has grown so big, you could start to feel his or her movements inside your 19 weeks pregnant bump. These movements won’t be too strong just yet, and they could feel like fluttering inside your belly. At 19 weeks, the baby is also developing its sleep cycle. That means that you’ll start to notice that the baby moves more during certain moments of the day. This is when the baby is awake and swimming around.
It’s possible that you’re the only one that can feel these movements at this point. They’re still too subtle to be felt if someone places a hand over your 19 weeks pregnant belly.
Your baby’s skin has been translucent until now, allowing to see the blood vessels underneath. But starting this week, your 19-week baby’s skin will start to become more pigmented, determining your little one’s skin tone.
Your body at week 19 of pregnancy
If you didn’t have much of a bump during the first months of your pregnancy, you can expect some changes around this time! Your bump will probably become much more noticeable around week 19 of pregnancy. This makes sense since your baby is growing fast and needs room to stretch!
The second trimester is the most comfortable pregnancy period for many women, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t experience any 19 weeks pregnant symptoms. These are some of the changes that you can expect at 19 weeks pregnant:
19 weeks pregnant belly
The shape and size of a 19 weeks pregnant bump will vary from woman to woman. First-time moms can have smaller bumps, while women who’ve already been pregnant will probably have a bigger bump by this stage.
The same principle applies to feeling your baby’s movements. While some women can feel the baby moving clearly at this point, this largely depends on the position of your 19-week pregnant baby. If the baby is facing in towards your body, it can be more difficult to feel any kicks. In other cases, their movements can be so subtle that you could mistake them for gas or a flutter. Don’t worry! You’ll probably feel your baby more clearly in the coming weeks.
But if you’ve already felt your baby’s movements, and you think that they’ve slowed down or stopped, don’t hesitate to call your doctor. Even if it’s nothing, it’s better to be safe. Studies have shown that up to 55% of women who experience stillbirth had felt a decrease in the baby’s movements, but didn’t report it as to avoid annoying their doctors.
19 weeks pregnant symptoms
These are some of the most common 19-week pregnancy symptoms:
- Abdominal cramps: your baby is growing fast, which means that the structures that support your uterus have to stretch. Your muscles and ligaments are working overtime to support your growing bump. This can cause some abdominal or lower back soreness. But if you feel intense cramps, don’t hesitate to call the doctor.
- Stuffy nose: your pregnancy hormones can increase blood flow to your nose, making you develop nasal congestion. Your mucous membranes are more delicate now, so don’t be alarmed if you experience some light nasal bleeding during pregnancy.
- Leg cramps: your leg muscles are carrying extra weight, and decreased circulation in the legs from the pressure of the baby on blood vessels. This can cause painful leg spasms, especially near the end of the day.
- Increased appetite: your baby is telling your body to consume more calories now. But you shouldn’t “eat for two” during your pregnancy; excessive weight gain can be harmful to you and the baby. Eat a healthy diet and allow yourself to indulge occasionally.
19 weeks pregnant ultrasound: do you need it?
You’re approaching your mid-pregnancy ultrasound. You could be having a 19-week pregnancy ultrasound, or it could be scheduled for the coming weeks. If you have a 19-week ultrasound, your doctor will look at the shape and size of your baby to detect any anomalies.
Your 19-week ultrasound can also be referred to as an “anomaly scan”, “morphology scan”, or “structural scan”.
During your second trimester appointment, you’ll also be getting some tests. Urine tests, blood sugar tests, a physical examination, and other lab tests are routinely performed during this checkup.
19 weeks pregnant lifestyle
- Start thinking about childbirth classes: you’ll usually have to wait until your third trimester to take these classes, but you can do your research now. Some of these classes have a very high demand and you could even find that you have to sign up to a waitlist.
- Keep eating healthy: your appetite will probably increase, so it’s important to get your calories from healthy foods. Your 19 weeks pregnant diet should include plenty of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, complex carbs, and pasteurized dairy.
- Work out regularly: exercise is beneficial for you and your baby. Precautions at 19 weeks pregnant include avoiding contact sports, or sports that have a higher risk of falling (like horse riding). Swimming, pilates, yoga, and walking are great options.
Sex at week 19 of pregnancy
Sex at 19 weeks pregnant is perfectly safe. It’s normal for pregnant women to experience an increase in libido during their second trimester. Take advantage of this period to enjoy intimate moments with your partner before your bump gets bigger and some sex positions become uncomfortable.
What to expect at 19 weeks pregnant – checklist
- Schedule your second-trimester appointment, if you haven’t already.
- Consider taking an infant CPR class. You’ll probably never need to use, but it’s always smart to learn about it.
- Start researching pediatricians. Knowing who you’d like to be your baby’s doctor will take some pressure off your shoulders in the coming months.
By the time you’re on week 19, you’ll only have 21 weeks left. You’re already nearly halfway there! By now, you’ll have a much more noticeable baby bump, and you could be feeling your tiny one’s soft movements.
So sit back and enjoy your 19-week baby’s little flutters knowing that they’re growing big and strong inside your belly.