19 Weeks Pregnant

Baby’s Development

• At week 19 weeks of pregnancy, you are almost half way to 40 weeks, which is the period of gestation currently thought of as when baby is due. In reality you’re baby can be ready to be born anywhere between 37 & 42 weeks, that’s a five week window!
• You may well receive a ‘new’ due date at your 20 week ultrasound (if you have chosen to have one), so, if you haven’t already, make it part of your daily ‘connecting with baby’ exercise to feel relaxed about baby choosing its own birthday. Read more information on your EDD.
• At 19 weeks your baby is growing rapidly in length and weight, there is even hair starting to sprout on baby’s little head. Baby is swallowing amniotic fluid now and the kidneys are busy producing urine.
• Because baby is constantly surrounded by amniotic fluid, the cleverly designed human body begins to produce a waxy substance to coat and protect their skin. This protective ‘wax’ is known as vernix. Many babies are born with this protective coating still in place and because it provides benefits to the skin post birth, you may wish to consider allowing the body to naturally absorb the vernix as opposed to having it rubbed or washed off.
• All the nerve cells responsible for hearing, taste, smell and sight are further developing with hearing being almost fully developed.
• Baby’s skin pigment is developing and this means her skin is becoming less and less translucent. Your baby is getting plump! Bones continue to harden and muscles are becoming stronger.

What’s Happening For You

• For you, it’s very much time to be taking extra special care of yourself. Maintaining a healthy diet and consider eating smaller meals more regularly may help to prevent any heart burn that occasionally presents itself in the later stages of pregnancy. Ensuring you remain well hydrated will also help to keep you and your baby healthy and may even prevent constipation. Enjoy moving your body regularly and perhaps consider incorporating a walk after your evening meal. Sitting for a while at the end of the day with your feet up will also help any swelling that may occur after an active day on your feet.
• The ligaments supporting your clever uterus are stretching to accommodate your baby’s weight, which can cause some discomfort. It is often experienced as sharper sensations and is referred to as round ligament pain. It isn’t anything to be alarmed about, but if you were to have constant discomfort or pain, then you should always check with your care provider.
• The increase in the hormone estrogen can sprout a few skin changes. Patches of darker skin can appear caused by an increase in pigment. They can appear on your lips, cheeks and forehead, and are called chloasma, or the ‘mask of pregnancy’. Some women experience darkening of the nipples, scars, freckles, underarms, and even vulva.
• That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or “dark line.” All of these pigment darkening will fade and disappear after the birth, but it is important that whilst pregnant you protect yourself from the sun, as this can cause the pigment to darken and skin becomes very sensitive.

Things To Consider

• If you haven’t already invested in a childbirth education class you may want to consider your options at this stage. HypnoBirthing encourages couples to begin classes at 25 weeks. The earlier you begin classes the more time you will be allowing yourself to spend in relaxation practice, which can help set up many important positive associations for labour and birth.
• As your baby’s hearing is more developed this is the perfect opportunity to start talking or singing to your baby. Encourage other family members to talk to your baby as well, so baby feels included in the family. You may wish to consider reading a story to your baby. Research has shown that baby’s can remember the stories that are read to them in utero and relate happily to them once they are earth side.

Read more about what to expect next week.