19 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly Size & Ultrasound

19 weeks pregnant is a milestone to celebrate and savor. Find out what to expect when you’re 19 weeks pregnant, find out whether you can feel baby yet and what your uterus looks like. What size is a 12-week-pregnant uterus? What are the 8th week symptoms? When does baby start to move?

Your baby at week 19 of pregnancy

You are currently in the 19th week of pregnancy, a time of significant development for your baby’s organs. His skin is protected from the amniotic fluid by a layer of lanugo, which consists of soft hairs and a sticky protective coating. By now, you should have felt your baby’s frequent movements. Your doctor can listen to the heartbeat of your unborn child by placing a stethoscope against your stomach.

Vernix, a white, cheesy “cream,” coats the baby and shields her skin from the amniotic fluid bath. Extremely premature infants, known as “posties,” have almost no vernix upon birth, whereas full-term infants are completely covered.

19 weeks pregnant is how many months?

When you are 19 weeks pregnant, you are officially in 5 months of your pregnancy, just another 4 months to go! Congratulations, you’ve already made great progress!

How big is your baby at 19 weeks pregnant?

At 19 weeks your baby, also known as a foetus, is currently about 240g (8.5 oz) in weight and around 15.3 cm in length from head to bottom which is about the size of a mango or heirloom tomato. They are growing quickly and are about to have a growth spurt. They will roughly almost double in size over the next month.

19 weeks pregnant baby position

It’s impossible for the baby to stay still because he’s floating in so much space. The baby’s head will typically be up towards your chest, while the feet will extend down to the bottom of the uterus.

Until later in pregnancy, babies rarely sit motionless in one place.

19 weeks pregnant: baby’s development

The fetus becomes ready for life outside the womb between the start and end of the fifth month. There have been live births of infants as early as 19 weeks following conception (21 weeks gestation). Infants born at 20 and 21 weeks after conception are now receiving resuscitation and active treatment in many American hospitals (22 and 23 weeks gestation).

The fetus begins to move and breathe on a daily cycle in the fifth month, known as a circadian rhythm. It’s interesting to note that fetal activity, particularly breathing movements, peaks for about two hours following a mother’s meal before beginning to decline. The fetal heart rate also exhibits a daily trend.

Researchers discovered that fetuses sleep in cycles of about 45 minutes, or half as long as an adult sleep cycle, by studying continuous ultrasounds of fetuses between 18 and 38 weeks after conception.

At 19 weeks following conception, the amount of future eggs in the ovary peaks at about 7 million in females. Around 5 million of these cells die before giving birth once the ovary essentially stops producing oogonia. Several thousand primary oocytes, or egg cells, are produced by the remaining oogonia.

Your body at 19 weeks pregnant

Every day, your tummy appears to be getting bigger. It’s possible that getting more rest is what you need to stay energized. With the additional weight, your back and abdomen could hurt. Expect some annoying pregnancy symptoms to become better while others worsen; your nausea has likely subsided and been replaced by heartburn and indigestion. Continue to budget time for frequent potty breaks.

Pregnancy Weight Gain and Other Symptoms

Every day, your body undergoes internal and external changes to make room for your unborn child. You may experience an increase in itching in the breasts and belly area as your skin stretches. As your body adapts to carrying a baby, you may notice that your back starts to hurt. Constriction of the digestive tract can cause discomfort in the form of heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence. Hormones during pregnancy might continue to mess with your emotions, which can lead to erratic mood swings.

19 weeks pregnant tips and advice

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is important. Your body uses more water during your pregnancy to fuel your increased blood supply (necessary to get your baby-to-be plenty of nutrients) and other body functions. Taken to extremes, dehydration can lead to preterm labor pains. So bring a water bottle to work with you—and drink it.

Use the bathroom—often

Drinking more water means more trips to the bathroom. Add to that, your kidneys are working overtime to filter impurities from your increased blood supply. To avoid stares from coworkers, plan discrete potty breaks. Go when you first get to the office and take a break on the way from meetings or other times when you’re already up so your trips will be less noticeable. Putting off a trip to the bathroom is a bad idea—it makes you uncomfortable and puts stress on your bladder, which can lead to bladder infections.

Bring light snacks

Food may not be appealing, especially if you’re experiencing nausea. Skip a full-blown lunch and opt for lighter fare throughout the day. Keep in mind that some pregnancy comfort foods are dead giveaways, such as crackers. If you’re trying to keep your pregnancy a secret, try less notorious foods that still comfort nausea but that don’t shout, “I’m pregnant!” Opt for foods high in protein, such as string cheese, almonds, or milk.

Wear comfortable clothes

You’ve probably packed away your tight-fitting pants already. If you haven’t, now’s probably the time to say goodbye to your hip-hugging ensembles until after your baby’s arrival. Avoiding tight clothes isn’t just about hiding your baby bump. Your body may be retaining water to fuel your increased blood supply, and constricting clothes are not only tight on your skin, but the blood that’s trying to flow underneath.

Watch your posture

Take time to get off your feet and walk around. Staying in the same position for too long allows the blood to pool in the lower part of your body, potentially making you light-headed. Put your feet up whenever possible to keep your blood flowing properly.

Having Trouble Sleeping at 19 weeks Pregnant

Having difficulties sleeping is a common pregnant symptom, and it’s especially common in the second and third trimesters, when other pregnancy symptoms peak and a growing belly makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position.

When you’re 19 weeks pregnant, it could hurt to sleep on your stomach, but studies indicates that lying on your back puts more strain on the vena cava, the main blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.

Your blood circulation will increase if you sleep on your left side, which will also be good for your uterus, kidneys, and fetus. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try placing a pillow between your knees and another under your stomach. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.

19 weeks Pregnant: Wellness and Nutrition

What should you avoid during pregnancy? Doctors agree that you should avoid the following:

Activities that may cause you to fall, or that place pressure or force on your belly
Intense, overly vigorous exercise – if you’re too out of breath to talk, you’re probably exercising too hard.
Drinking alcohol, smoking, and caffeine (ask your doctor how much caffeine you should consume each day)
Sweeteners such as saccharine and herbal sweeteners (ask your doctor if artificial sweeteners are appropriate)

Prescription and over-the-counter medications (check with your doctor about what’s safe during pregnancy)
Paint, cleaning products, and solvents can expose you to chemicals and fumes. Acrylic and latex paints are generally considered safe. However, you should consult your doctor before helping around the house or in the nursery.
Saunas and hot tubs
Chemical treatments for your hair, such as dye and perms

Week 19 Unsightly Pregnancy Signs and symptoms

Your body undergoes many changes to give your baby-to-be enough room to grow. Some of these changes are comforting—your rounded belly and your full breasts, for example—while other signs can be troubling. Keep in mind that many of these physical changes will last only until your baby arrives.

Weight gain

You should expect to gain 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy. As distressing as weight gain can be for some women, those pounds are necessary for your growing baby. Much of the weight is extra fluids (such as blood), tissues (like your breasts), and of course, your baby. If you eat a sensible pregnancy diet and stay fit, you should be able to lose much of your pregnancy weight after your baby’s birth. (Some women are able to shed pounds in a matter of weeks; others need as much as a year to get their bodies back in shape).

Breast changes and tenderness

Tenderness and slight alterations in the shape of your breasts are common pregnancy symptoms around the 19th week. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are responsible for these alterations, which help your body get ready for breastfeeding after giving birth. You might find that your breasts are more sensitive to touch and feel fuller than usual.

Fatigue (constant tiredness or weakness)

One of the most typical symptoms of early pregnancy is fatigue, which frequently starts at this point. Although there are many causes of exhaustion during pregnancy (including changes in hormone levels), some research indicates that inadequate sleep brought on by nighttime awakenings from unpleasant sleeping positions may also be a role.

Heartburn or gas

There may be a rise in heartburn and flatulence during the 19th week of pregnancy. This is because progesterone produces a decrease in the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which typically prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus. This can cause heartburn and discomfort by allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. Try spreading your meals out more, staying away from items that are known to cause heartburn (such spicy foods), and drinking lots of water.

Mood swings and crying spells

The 19th week of pregnancy is a vulnerable time for women, when they are more likely to experience mood swings and crying spells. Until your hormone levels settle, this will have an impact on your mental and emotional well-being. This is a common occurrence for pregnant women; one study indicated that 75% of women felt emotional shifts like irritability or depression in the first trimester.

Food cravings, aversions, or both

During your 19th week of pregnancy, It’s common to crave foods that are high in protein, such as meat and cheese, which are essential for your baby’s development. You may also have strong aversions to certain foods, like vegetables or fruits that you normally enjoy eating but now find repulsive. This is normal—just make sure you don’t completely eliminate any food groups from your diet.

Pregnant stretch marks

In the 19th week of pregnancy, stretch marks, sometimes called striae gravidarum, may occur on the belly. Stretch marks form when the skin is forced apart and then stretched beyond its natural elasticity, as happens during rapid growth or weight gain (like pregnancy)

Indigestion, or constipation

During the 19th week of pregnancy, you may suffer gastrointestinal issues like indigestion or constipation. Pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estrogen might increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues including indigestion. These hormones slow down digestion by relaxing the digestive tract, preventing food from being swallowed whole. You can reduce the frequency and severity of indigestion during pregnancy by cutting out on high-fat and sugary foods and eating more often, smaller meals (like sweets or fried foods).

Swelling (edema)

Your body retains water to provide the necessary fluids for your growing baby-to-be. You can prevent much of this swelling from drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your legs up. You may also want to purchase socks designed to improve the circulation in your feet.

Bleeding gums

Your blood volume has increased dramatically to provide nutrients to your baby-to-be. This increase, along with swelling caused by pregnancy hormones, might make your gums bleed.

Skin spots

The skin’s pigmentation may deepen around certain parts of your body during pregnancy, such as your nipples and freckles. You may also notice spots of color on your face, called the mask of pregnancy or chloasma. These pigmentation changes will fade after your baby’s born.

No symptoms at 19 weeks pregnant

Yes, it is possible to be 19 weeks pregnant with no obvious signs of pregnancy at all! It’s important to remember that every pregnant lady is unique. If you’re one of the happy few who never gets morning sickness, for instance, you may relax and enjoy your pregnancy. But if you do have symptoms, you should definitely pay heed to them. If you are pregnant and have any health concerns, you should always consult your doctor.

19 weeks pregnant belly size (baby bumb)

When you’re 19 weeks pregnant, you’ll probably notice that you look more pregnant than you did before. Your 19 weeks pregnant belly size will be largely determined by how many pregnancies you’ve had.

It may take a while for you to develop a proper baby bump if this is your first pregnancy. In contrast, if you have had previous pregnancies, your muscles are more lax and you’ll show more of a 19 weeks pregnant bump.

Around this time, you may also notice a dark line running from your belly button to your pelvis. It’s known as “linea nigra”, and it’s completely normal among pregnant women. After delivery, it will fade, so don’t worry!

You will gain more weight than you did in the first trimester because your baby will need nutrients to grow and develop. To gain 1 pound per week, doctors recommend eating approximately 300 extra calories per day. During week 19 of pregnancy, you should be able to feel the uterus halfway between your pubic bone and your belly button.

19 weeks pregnant ultrasound

The 19 week ultrasound is the most significant one. A thorough examination of every fetus is best done now. When it reaches this size, it is sufficiently developed to make extensive use of its structures and sufficiently large to warrant close inspection. Extra context about its history is provided here.

The importance of prenatal vitamins during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you need a greater amount of folic acid and iron. Why? Here are some reasons:

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects

These defects affect the fetal brain and spinal cord in a significant way. Preferably, you should begin taking extra folic acid three months before you become pregnant.

The placenta and baby require iron to develop

The body uses iron to make blood to supply oxygen to the baby. Additionally, iron helps prevent anemia, a condition in which the blood lacks healthy red blood cells

It’s important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider to find out which are the best prenatal vitamins to take before pregnancy, and how to calculate your expected delivery date.