19 weeks pregnant: Symptoms and the development of your baby

Officially, you are four months pregnant. We’ve entered the second trimester. You might begin to feel pregnant around 19 weeks, and not just bloated and grumpy. After all, your belly is starting to feel a little snug, and your uterus is growing every day.

19 weeks pregnant baby size: How big is your baby?

The baby weighs the same as a mango when you are 19 weeks pregnant. Your fetus, which is still growing and about 6.0 inches long and 8.5 ounces in weight, is 19 weeks old.

Your fetus is developing the vernix caseosa, the skin’s protective layer, at 19 weeks. It’s greasy and white, and you might see some of it when you’re born. Along with their growing head hair, babies also have lanugo, a downy layer of hair that covers their entire body.

Your baby’s development at 19 weeks pregnant

Image from | MART PRODUCTION

In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you’ll learn that:

• Your baby’s skin is beginning to develop pigments that determine his skin tone. He will also be covered in Vernix Caseosa, a thin wax-like substance that helps protect the skin from amniotic fluid.
• The hair on his scalp is growing.
• Your baby’s senses are blossoming. His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.
• Research suggests that he may hear your voice now, so keep a check on those swear words. Read, sing, or talk to your baby. Don’t be shy.
• His kidneys continue to make urine.

When 19 weeks pregnant, your baby can measure up to 6.25 inches (15.8 centimeters) from the top of their head to the bottom of the buttocks (crown-rump length). Their height may be at 9 inches (22.8 centimeters) from the top of their head to the heel (crown-heel length).

By 19 weeks pregnant, your baby will weigh around 9,5 ounces (272 grams).

Skin protection

The protective covering is now forming on your body’s skin. It may seem like a thick, white, wax-like coating. This is what they call vernix caseosa. Vernix has numerous important uses and functions.

Listed here are some things vernix does for your baby while they are in the womb.

• Can act as a lubricant to help your baby’s passage in the birth canal smooth and with ease
• develops a waterproof layer that shields your baby’s skin from the amniotic fluid
• can help prevent infections
• may help your baby regulate their body temperature
• moisturizes and softens your baby’s skin
• might promote faster wound healing

Hair

On top of your baby’s head, the hair canal, or tunnel in the skin that holds the hair, is now fully developed. The hair on their scalp can now be visible between 19 weeks pregnant and 21 weeks of pregnancy.

Adding more fat

Your baby has started to form white fat tissue, and these tissues store energy. Now, they are creating brown fat. Your baby needs brown fat to keep warm once they leave your womb.

Little teeth

Although they are not yet visible for a few months after delivery, your baby’s primary or first set of teeth is starting to grow.

19 weeks pregnant belly size

The 19-week pregnant bump or belly varies in size and shape from woman to woman. Women who are expecting their first child may have smaller bumps, however those who have already given birth probably have larger bumps now.

In addition, weight gain may be one of your concerns, due to a weight gain of 8 to 14 pounds this far. You should not be overly concerned because this is commonly normal.

When in a typical pregnancy, pregnant women should gain 3 to 5 pounds in the first trimester. Then, add 1 to 2 pounds per week, in the second trimester. If ever your weight gain is higher or lower than the typical gain, consult your doctor if it concerns you or not.

19 weeks pregnant baby movement

Even though some pregnant women at this stage may clearly feel the baby moving, a lot of this depends on where your 19-week-old baby is located. If the baby is facing inward toward your body, it may be harder to feel any kicks. In other circumstances, they can move so delicately that you might mistake them for gas or a flutter.

But if you’ve already felt your baby move and you think they’ve slowed down or stopped, don’t wait to call your doctor. Even if it’s nothing, it’s better to be safe. Studies show that up to 55% of women who have stillborn babies notice a decrease in the baby’s movements, but they prefer not to inform their doctors in order to avoid upsetting them.

19 weeks pregnant symptoms

image from | iStock

The following are the symptoms that 19 weeks pregnant mothers may experience accordingly:

1. Round Ligament Pain

Your belly is growing fast, so the ligaments supporting your expanding uterus cause abdominal aches. 

Your uterus is supported by circular ligaments that need to enlarge as it grows. Due to these strained ligaments, your lower abdomen may periodically feel a sharp pain or a dull ache, on one side or other.

It most often becomes noticeable when you alter your posture or stand up out of the blue. Call your doctor if it starts to concern you.

2. Dizziness

Pregnancy may cause dizziness because your uterus is growing and putting stress on your blood vessels. In addition, the baby is stuffing your lungs, which reduces your oxygen supply! 

3. Leg Cramps

A technique to ease these symptoms is stretching. Stretch your leg, and flex your toes and ankle toward your knees. Try some yoga while you’re pregnant or ask your partner to massage your calves (and back!).

Your little one’s kicks may take you by surprise, though eventually, you will get used to the movements of your little gymnast. Oh, and avoid using your growing bump as a coffee table less the cup, along with its hot content, falls.

Your increased bump size may be causing you heartburn, so here are ways to prevent it.

Additional signs of pregnancy this week could include (as detailed by NHS UK):

• exhaustion and trouble sleeping 
• stretchmarks
• Gums that are bleeding and swollen 
• headaches
• nosebleeds
• bloating and diarrhea
• Heartburn 
• detecting heat
• UTI
• genital infections
• Chloasma
• blotchier and oilier skin
• thicker, more glossy hair

19 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

Soon you will have a mid-pregnancy ultrasound. You might be having a 19 weeks pregnant ultrasound right now or one may be scheduled for the next weeks. During a 19-week ultrasound, your doctor will look at your baby’s size and shape to check for any anomalies.

Your 19-week ultrasound may be referred to by other people as an “anomaly scan,” “morphology scan,” or “structural scan.”

At your checkup in the second trimester, you’ll also undergo a number of tests. During this visit, routine lab tests such as urine testing, blood sugar tests, physical exams, and others are carried out.

19 weeks pregnant pregnancy care

• Keep the aches to a minimum by going on walks and performing simple exercises.
• If you feel light-headed, sit down and do some deep breathing exercises or meditate.
• Speak with your doctor this month to find out if any genetic screening tests are advised for you. 
• Take into consideration the potential birthing sites. These might include local hospitals or birthing centers. 
• Stay hydrated. Your body is working overtime, so it needs all the fluid it can get. It is simple to become dehydrated during pregnancy, which can cause lethargy, headaches, and dizziness.
• Hip pain may bother you at night. Sleep with a pillow between your knees.
• At four months pregnant, you may not need full-on maternity apparel, but you may want to start looking for more comfortable clothing options so that you’ll be prepared when the time comes.

Exercise for 19 weeks pregnant woman

Most exercises are fine to do while pregnant as long as you exercise cautiously and don’t overdo them.

The safest and healthiest exercises are swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling, and low-impact aerobics (taught by a certified aerobics instructor). These activities, which have a low risk of injury and can be performed up to delivery, will be beneficial to your entire body.

Tennis and racquetball are often risk-free activities, but fast movements could be impeded by your shifting equilibrium during pregnancy. Other exercises include running and jogging – in moderation. You might want to choose activities that don’t require much balance or coordination, especially later in pregnancy.

Tips for 19 weeks pregnant

You are nearing the halfway point of being pregnant during this 19 weeks schedule. The following are the things that you may do to prioritize your health and welfare in this exciting stage of pregnancy.

1. Baby your belly

Ease round ligament pain in your 19 week pregnant belly by applying a warm compress. Also, rest when you can and slowly stretch with a cat or cow pose.

If ever you are experiencing pain that does not go away or makes it hard to get over your day, ask your doctor if there are any indications or causes.

2. Take things slow

During this period, you may be trying to get a lot done before the baby comes. However, rushing around may lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. In this case, you might consider moving gently if you are feeling tired or out of sorts, especially when you are standing up from a seated or prone position.

Everything will be in their order, so take it easy and do not be too harsh on yourself.

19 weeks pregnant: your checklist

• Encourage your spouse to feel your little ninja’s kicks! This is a good way for him to connect with the baby.
• Think about picking out names for your baby. It’s never too early!

Additional information by Nathanielle Torre

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.