19 Weeks Pregnant: Signs, Symptoms, Baby Development, And Tips

19 Weeks Pregnant: Signs, Symptoms, Baby Development, And Tips

16 Dec 2016 | 11 min Read

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

If you are 19 weeks pregnant, then get ready for some exciting pregnancy milestones like feeling your baby’s kicks and a lot of active movement in the womb, and your upcoming ultrasound scan, where you will be able to meet your baby up close.  

At 19 weeks, you are halfway through your second trimester and officially five months pregnant. During this week, your baby will continue to grow rapidly, with their major organs developing healthily, and you will also experience pregnancy symptoms similar to the ones felt in the previous week.

Let’s find out how your body changes in the 19th week of pregnancy, and also discuss the developmental milestones your baby is going to achieve.

Your Baby’s Development at 19 Weeks

At 19 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s progress is at a faster pace, and your uterus continues to grow bigger to accommodate your little one. By this week, your baby will also begin to move their limbs and their senses of vision, smell, and taste will also develop. 

Additionally, you will notice that your baby bump is more protruded than the previous week. So now is the perfect time to plan your maternity shoots, and click lots of pictures with your adorable bump. 

Keep reading as we’ve listed more interesting facts and details about your baby’s developmental progress in the 19th week of pregnancy.

How Big is Your Baby at 19 Weeks?

At 19 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will be about the size of an heirloom tomato. They will measure around 17.8cms (7 inches) in length, and weigh about 200gms (7 ounces).

If you are looking for a detailed insight into your baby’s size and development, you can follow the pregnancy week-by-week posts by BabyChakra, which have in-depth about foetal growth and development, and also discuss handy tips to make mums feel better during this time.

Foetal Development at 19 Week Pregnancy

19 weeks pregnant
At 19 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will move their limbs in the move and also respond to your voice / Image Source: News Medical

At 19 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will develop certain body parts, and you can expect them to achieve the following growth and developmental milestones in the womb.

  • Skin: Your baby’s skin will be covered with a protective layer of coating, which is commonly referred to as vernix caseosa.
  • Hair: By this week, your baby will have hair on their head, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
  • Face: Your baby’s face will be more defined by the 19th week of pregnancy and you can even notice some of their facial features during an anatomy scan.
  • Cartilage: Their cartilage gets replaced by bones by this time.
  • Brain: The brain develops senses for vision, smell, sound, taste, and touch.
  • Limbs: Your baby’s arms and legs will be in proportion, and they will move with more control.
  • Taste buds: By this time, your baby’s taste buds will be developed, and they will be able to differentiate between sweet and bitter tastes.
  • Ears: Your baby will be able to hear now, which means you can start communicating and singing to them.
  • Kidneys: Their kidneys will start to pass urine, and some of it is collected in the amniotic fluid.
  • Gender: An ultrasound scan at this week can determine the gender of your baby.

Common Symptoms That You Will Experience This Week

19 weeks pregnant

Image caption: You will experience different symptoms like body ache, dizziness, and constipation int he 19th week of pregnancy

At 19 weeks of pregnancy, most of the symptoms experienced will be similar to that of the previous week. You may also experience dizziness and nausea, which are akin to the early signs of pregnancy. Common symptoms experienced this week include:

  • Increased appetite: By the 19th week of pregnancy, the symptoms of morning sickness finally come to an end, and you will notice an increase in your appetite.
  • Round ligament pain: The growing uterus stretches your groin ligaments, causing pain in the round ligaments. This pain may occur either on one side or both sides of your abdomen. You can soothe round ligament pain by taking rest and engaging in prenatal yoga or stretching exercises.
  • Frequent urination: The growing uterus puts extra pressure on your bladder, causing you to pee more often.
  • Weight gain: You might gain an average of 250-500 gms per week during your second trimester. However, depending on your BMI, your ob-gyn may suggest you make certain dietary modifications to help maintain a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy.
  • Dizziness: The growing uterus adds a lot of pressure on your blood vessels and reduces the blood flow to your brain, causing dizziness and fatigue. To alleviate this symptom, make sure that you don’t have large gaps in between your meals, and drink enough water to stay hydrated and energised.
  • Constipation: During pregnancy, your body releases progesterone hormone that relaxes the muscles in your digestive tract for the food to remain in the tract for a longer time to enable maximum nutrient absorption into the bloodstream. This slows down your intestinal activity leading to constipation. 
  • Stuffy nose: Your hormonal levels continue to fluctuate in the 19th week of pregnancy, leading to an increase in blood flow to the mucous membranes. This causes your membranes to swell and soften and may result in nasal congestion, stuffy nose, and sometimes even breathlessness.
  • Backache: With the uterus expanding, your body’s centre of gravity shifts, applying additional pressure on your lower back, causing a backache.
  • Blurred vision: You may experience this symptom due to the buildup of extra fluids in your eyes.
  • Leg cramps: This symptom is experienced more during the night and is caused due to the compression of blood vessels by the growing uterus. You can soothe leg cramps by keeping your feet elevated while sleeping or using a pregnancy pillow for added support.
  • Heartburn: As the growing uterus pushes the stomach to the diaphragm, gastric fluids are pushed upward into the oesophagus. This causes acidity and heartburn and can be prevented by oily, spicy, and fatty foods.
  • Hot flashes: Due to an increase in blood flow in your body, you may frequently experience hot flashes. Try drinking ice-cold water or put a cold pack behind your neck for a few minutes to soothe this symptom.
  • Trouble falling asleep: Body aches and leg cramps may interrupt your sleep during pregnancy. To get a restful night’s sleep, invest in a good-quality maternity pillow that offers comfort and support to your back and leg, and ensures sound sleep.

Your Body at The 19th Week of Pregnancy

Along with the symptoms discussed above, you will experience several physical and emotional changes during the 19th week of pregnancy. These changes will be more rapid as compared to the ones in the first trimester. You will notice:

  • An enlarged belly
  • Tender and swollen breasts, as your body gets ready for lactation
  • Fuller and shinier hair
  • Stretch marks on your belly, breasts, and hips
  • Linea nigra (the line running down from your belly button) gets darker due to skin pigmentation.

When you are 19 weeks pregnant, you may also experience emotional changes, such as stressful thoughts, anxiety, mood swings, and weird pregnancy-related dreams. In case any of these symptoms make you uncomfortable, consult your doctor right away.

19 Weeks Pregnant Belly

At 19 weeks, your belly will appear more protruded and round. By this week, your baby will also start to kick and wiggle in the womb. If you are a first-time mamma, it might be difficult for you to recognise these light movements, but if you have been pregnant before, you can identify them right away.

If you want to familiarise yourself with baby kicking and foetal movements per week, you can use a pregnancy month calculator to track your little one’s growth and progress and make your pregnancy journey a tad bit easier.

Do You Need an Ultrasound at The 19th Week Of Pregnancy?

When you are 19 weeks pregnant, your prenatal visit will include a blood pressure check, weight check, and urine check to determine the presence of protein. The doctor might suggest an amniocentesis, which is a diagnostic test to detect chromosomal problems.

You will also have an ultrasound scan to ensure the proper growth of your baby. The doctor will conduct an anomaly scan to identify any physical problems, such as Spina Bifida in the baby.

Self-care Tips for 19 Weeks Pregnancy

Engage in prenatal yoga to stretch your muscles and alleviate backache and leg cramps

Let’s have a look at the self-care tips to follow at 19 weeks of pregnancy to keep you safe and comfortable.

  • Consume smaller meals at frequent intervals and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Avoid oily and fatty foods that may cause heartburn. Stick to a healthy lifestyle and consume home-cooked meals.
  • Consume fibre-rich foods, such as broccoli, beans, berries, yogurt, and avocado to prevent stomach concerns like constipation.
  • Stay calm, keep stress at bay, and relax as much as you can.
  • Indulge in moderate physical activities like walking and prenatal yoga to boost your energy levels.
  • Wear loose, breathable clothes that keep you cool during an episode of hot flashes.
  • Avoid faulty postures to prevent leg cramps and backache.
  • Spend time with your family and friends and engage in activities that make you happy. 

Pregnancy Checklist at 19 Weeks

A set of checklists for the 19th week of pregnancy:

  • Schedule your upcoming prenatal appointment with your ob-gyn.
  • Book your next visit to the sonographer for an ultrasound scan.
  • Continue reading childbirth and motherhood books to gather more information.
  • Create a set of questions to ask at the next doctor visit.
  • Narrow down baby boy and baby girl names of your choice.

What to Ask Your Doctor?

By the time you reach the 19th week of pregnancy, you will be curious to know what lies ahead in your pregnancy journey and if there’s anything you should do to maintain optimal health. Some questions to ask your doctor during this visit include:

  • What will my baby’s progression look like in the next week?
  • Should I get an ultrasound scan in the upcoming week?
  • Do you suggest any additional lab tests for the 20th week of pregnancy?
  • Can my baby hear my voice now?
  • How do I communicate with my baby ironside the womb?
  • Is my weight healthy?
  • Do I need to make any diet modifications?

Conclusion

When you are 19 weeks pregnant, you will notice several body changes, as well as the rapid growth of your baby. Your belly will be more enlarged now, and you will experience your baby’s kicks more often. You may also experience pregnancy symptoms like fuller hair, increased appetite, and blurred vision, along with the common ones like body aches and leg cramps.

Make sure that you are taking proper care of yourself and indulging in a healthy lifestyle to ensure your well-being and your baby’s healthy growth and development. 

FAQs

What is the baby doing at 19 weeks in the womb?

Your baby starts to wiggle and kick in the womb at 19 weeks. They may also move their legs and hands occasionally. 

Can I feel the baby kick at 19 weeks?

Yes. Even if you weren’t able to feel your baby’s kicks before, by the 19th week, you will experience prominent foetal movement and kicks.

What should I avoid at 19 weeks of pregnancy?

The foods and activities to avoid remain the same throughout pregnancy. Do not consume alcoholic beverages or smoke, and steer clear of raw and uncooked foods. You should also avoid indulging in heavy physical activities and workouts.

What pregnancy symptoms will I experience at 19 weeks?

You will experience tiredness, constipation, blurred vision, weight gain, frequent urination, leg cramps, and backaches during the 19th week of pregnancy.

Also read:

Ovulation calculator: want to know the benefits of using an ovulation calculator? We’ve mentioned all the deets in this post.

20 weeks pregnancy symptoms: Check out this post to know interesting facts about your baby’s development and size in the 20th week of pregnancy.

Featured image: Freepik.com

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