Nineteenth Week of Pregnancy: What to Expect

Development of sensory perceptions and immune system – This week marks the 2nd major screening. The baby’s facial features are now clearly visible in the ultrasound, and his reflexes are now formed. Pay close attention to skincare and drink plenty of fluids to support metabolism.

In the 19th week of pregnancy, things are happening again. At the latest now you feel the movements of your child and also the next big ultrasound examination takes place.

In the 19th week of pregnancy, the baby weighs 8.5 ounces. The crown-rump height, measures about 6″ (about the size of a mango).

The body of the fetus is now completely covered with lanugo hair and covered with a thick layer of cheesy goo. In the 19th week of gestation, the first harbingers of later head hair may appear. The baby’s skin also becomes more differentiated and appears much less transparent.

The sexual organs are fully developed by this week at the latest.

In the ovaries of little girls, there are about six million primitive eggs in the 19th week of pregnancy, the number of which will decrease to about one million by the time of birth. The girl’s body will not produce any new eggs from now on – when she has children of her own as an adult woman, they will be created from an egg cell whose plant is as old as the mother herself.

The testicles of boys have already been producing testosterone since the end of the first trimester, and the penis was visible in the ultrasound image by the 15th week of pregnancy at the latest. In the 19th week, the scrotum can now also be seen, but the testicles will not move into it until shortly before the due date. Also in the 19th week of pregnancy, “fine work” on the internal organs takes place again. The development of the brain regions responsible for controlling sensory perceptions – hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, feeling – enters its decisive phase.

The dental ridges begin to form this week and are already clearly visible in the ultrasound image. The liver and spleen begin their work this week and start to produce bile and white blood cells.

This also means that the baby’s immune system is gradually forming, although it will not reach its full capacity until long after the due date.

By swallowing the amniotic fluid, the child’s digestive tract has already been training its function for some time. From now on, metabolic products are deposited in the intestines, which are excreted during the first bowel movement after birth as the so-called puerperal fluid. Kidneys, urinary system, and bladder are completely developed and have also been working for some weeks.

19 weeks of pregnancy: the health of the mother

Probably, she is already eagerly awaited: Between the 19th and 22nd week, the second ultrasound examination is due. Finally, you can get a picture of your unborn baby again. The doctor checks whether it is developing as expected and looks for any malformations. He or she measures the baby from head to toe and examines the amniotic fluid and placenta for abnormalities.

Depending on the ultrasound device, you can now see quite a lot on the monitor. Your little one is already quite well developed. Ultrasound examinations produce images based on sound waves that we cannot hear. They are emitted by the transducer with which the doctor examines and reflected back by the body tissue. The echoes of these sound waves are electronically processed into a high-contrast image. In this way, the outlines and even the organs of the child become visible. With these methods, you can view your baby three-dimensionally or, additionally, its movements in real-time. Depending on which ultrasound machine your gynecologist uses, it may be relatively difficult for you to see anything on the screen. Ask your gynecologist if you do not understand something or if an image is unclear to you.

Tip: Look for a childbirth preparation class.

You can slowly find out where childbirth classes are held in your area. The courses usually don’t start until between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, but it can’t hurt to look for them now at clinics, maternity centers, or with your midwife or doctor. Most courses take place once a week. A maximum of 14 hours is usually reimbursed by statutory health insurance. Therefore, find out the price beforehand and ask your health insurance company whether they will cover the costs. If there are costs for your partner, these are usually not reimbursed by the insurance companies.

In addition to gymnastic exercises and breathing techniques to facilitate birth, you will often also learn something about the first time with a baby in a childbirth preparation course. There are courses with different content orientations – it is also important that the course instructor appeals to you as a person. In addition, the regular appointments are a nice opportunity to get to know other expectant moms and to exchange ideas.

• Make yourself comfortable in bed. You may not have to get up quite as often at night to go to the bathroom now that you’re in your 2nd trimester, but you still may sleep worse than you’re used to. Your body is changing, and sleeping on your side may now be the most comfortable position for you. Equip yourself with enough pillows to put in your back and between your legs.
• What month is actually best to start a childbirth class? The best time to do this is during the 24th week, as many classes run for several weeks. However, you should register for a course as early as the 19th week of pregnancy, as the number of participants is very limited.
• It is advisable to find out which pediatricians are available in your area. Ask friends and acquaintances with children for their opinion and experience.

19 weeks of pregnancy: Your symptoms

As in every stage of your pregnancy, you will certainly feel signs in the 19th week that you have not known before. These indications can be quite different and individual from woman to woman.

Cravings

Due to the hormonal influence on your body, you might experience cravings during the 19th week of pregnancy. Many women also notice these during the night hours. In this way, your body gets nutrients that it urgently needs to cope with the increasing growth of your baby. You are welcome to indulge these cravings, but you should make sure to eat small amounts and the most nutrient-rich foods.

Increased urge to urinate

You’ve probably noticed that you need to go to the bathroom more often. Always follow up on this need so that no pathogens make their way into the bladder and it is always well flushed.

Heavy, aching legs and swollen feet

Even if you haven’t walked long distances or stood for long periods of time, your legs may feel heavy and cause a slight ache. This is due to the lack of return flow of blood and the lymphatic system. Due to the enormous amount of work that the heart and vessels have to do during pregnancy, this is not possible in some situations. Especially in summer, the backflow works particularly poorly – thick legs in hot temperatures are not uncommon.

Therefore, put your legs up as often as possible. This ensures the return flow of blood in the vessels and lymphatic fluid, and the swollen feet will thus subside more quickly. To support this process, a foot massage is also recommended. This relieves the pressure and helps you to fall asleep. You can also use oil for this purpose. In summer, a cool foot bath is also beneficial.

Tip: Rub a cooling cream or gel on your legs in the evening, then elevate them. During the day, compression stockings help. They do good and are useful even if you do not have varicose veins. You can get the prescription for them from your gynecologist.

Metabolism at full speed

During pregnancy, your metabolism runs at full speed – the same applies to the electrolyte balance. The storage of water in the tissue, which is caused by the hormones, and also the exchange of amniotic fluid, demand a lot from the body. Part of the amniotic fluid is absorbed and transformed by the baby. The final product is returned to the maternal circulation. The blood containing the components of the amniotic fluid is purified by the mother’s liver. In this way, this exchange is subject to a rotation principle. The amount of amniotic fluid adapts to the growth of the child and increases during pregnancy.

You can support the need for fluids and the work of your organs by drinking enough fluids. Mineral waters and juices with low acidity will support you. Try pregnancy tea with herbs from organic cultivation. The herbs from the tea blend naturally support the processes during pregnancy

• Take the weight off your legs and elevate them more often.
• Drink enough to stimulate your metabolism.
• Treat yourself to foot massages to relax them.
• Use a belly band to strengthen your muscles.