What to expect at nineteen weeks pregnant. Everything you need to know about your body and your baby at week nineteen of your pregnancy.

Congratulations, you’re at week nineteen or your pregnancy and nearly half-way there. Emotions are rising high and so might new second-trimester symptoms. While your body continues to change, your baby is developing too. Those small butterflies you used to feel before have now turned into lively little kicks.

Read on to find out more about you and your baby’s development at nineteen weeks.

Your Baby At Nineteen Weeks Pregnant

By week nineteen, your little bean is no longer a little bean but in fact now the size of a sweet mango. It weighs approximately half a pound and is 15cm long.

Alongside baby being wrapped up in all your love and warmth, it is now developing a protective layer of vernix – a greasy coating preventing baby’s skin from wrinkling at birth. Not the nicest sounding treatment you want for your baby, but it is the ultimate skin protector from their nine-month bath.

Baby’s lungs are forming, beginning with the main airwaves (bronchioles). Your baby will soon be ready to take their first breath of fresh air.

Just like your baby, you are unique too. Some mothers may have already felt their baby’s first kick, whilst for some of you this week will be full of excitement as it is now your baby’s time to shine.

Your Body At Nineteen Weeks Pregnant

Thought you had escaped those pesky period pains? Unfortunately, not. Abdominal pains are back as your body is preparing and making more room for baby.

If you didn’t have much of a bump in the first few months – you’ll definitely be noticing some changes round about now. Everyday tasks that you used to take for granted like putting on socks may now seem a little difficult. Your uterus is stretching alongside your muscles and ligaments both of which are definitely doing overtime in preparation for your growing bump.

Nineteen Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Increased Appetite

Now that you are eating for two it is going to be hard to stay away from the fridge. Cravings will be intense as symptoms from the first trimester are slowly fading away. However, do not take “eating for two” literally as this can lead to excessive pregnancy weight gain. Control them cravings by emptying out the pantry and replacing them with healthy nutritious snacks.

Constipation

The pesky progesterone hormone is on the rise and back to cause more problems. Pregnancy hormones are responsible for constipation, alongside other pregnancy symptoms and may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Probiotics, found in yoghurt can help control this symptom as well as regular water intake and foods high in fiber.

Faintness or Dizziness

Feeling faint or dizzy is another symptom caused by pregnancy hormones. With progesterone increasing blood flow to your baby, it decreases the blood flow going to your brain- causing you to feel faint. To control this symptom, take it slow by relaxing and drinking plenty of fluids.

Stuffy Nose

Just like any other week, the pregnancy hormones are here to cause more trouble. Increase in blood flow towards the nose has caused nasal congestion. Not only has edema affected your hands and feet, it has also swelled up your mucous membranes. So do not worry if you experience any nasal bleeding as this can be normal. Try putting a warm-mist humidifier in your room to help moisten the air.

Ultrasound At Nineteen Weeks

By nineteen weeks you are now in time for second routine scan also known as the fetal anomaly scan. It can usually occur between weeks 18 to 21, allowing you to check the full development of your baby and any anomalies.

For more information on development and milestones at every stage of your pregnancy, visit our pregnancy week by week guide.