You’re so close to the halfway point! You may already be taking childbirth classes. If not, and if you want them, it’s time to enroll!

There are so many exciting things happening at 19 weeks pregnant! You may feel your baby move at any time, although it might take a while to recognize what you’re feeling since it can feel like gas bubbles, especially at first. You’re also due for a mid-pregnancy ultrasound, where you’ll likely see your little one moving around.

Your pregnancy may be visible by now, and some women will show earlier than others. Those with previous pregnancies may show earlier than the first time around. At this point, you’re definitely feeling changes in your body! Meanwhile, your baby is getting closer and closer to being fully prepared to meet you!

Your Baby’s Development At 19 Weeks

At 19 weeks, the average fetus is around 9.5 inches long and weighs about 9.5 ounces.

Your baby is starting to develop his adult teeth, though they won’t surface for years after he has grown and lost baby teeth. The baby’s brain is also developing sensory regions so that he’ll be ready to recognize tastes, smells, sounds, and sights!

The baby now has unique fingerprints, and its body is coated in a waxy substance called vernix caseosa, which protects the baby’s delicate skin for the remaining months in the womb.

Baby’s nervous system is also well-developed enough now that he is super active, so don’t be surprised if you feel odd bubbles and flips in your abdomen. Before long, these strange sensations will be recognizable movements!

Quick Overview: Baby's Development At 19 Weeks Pregnant:

• Baby is around 9.5 inches long and weighs about 9.5 ounces.
• Adult teeth are beginning to develop beneath the gums.
• Sensory regions of the brain are forming to recognize tastes, smells, sounds, and sights.
• Unique fingerprints have developed.
• Vernix caseosa, a waxy coating, is covering the baby’s skin for protection.
• Nervous system is developing, making the baby highly active—early movements may feel like bubbles or flips.

Mother’s Symptoms At 19 Weeks

Pregnancy symptoms at 19 weeks remain pretty consistent with the last few weeks. You may notice any of the following:

Breast Changes

By now, you’re likely wearing a maternity bra or any other supportive, comfortable bra. You may find that you need breast pads, which are disposable or washable inserts that can keep any leaking colostrum from staining your clothes or causing your skin to stick to your bra. (If your skin does stick to your clothing or to breast pads, use warm water to loosen it—don’t pull!)

You may also notice some visual changes, including bluish veins visible beneath the skin and larger nipples and areolae. If you have cracked or bleeding nipples, let your doctor know!

Digestive Symptoms

Heartburn, indigestion, and constipation can be a force throughout your pregnancy. However, there are over-the-counter treatments that are considered safe! Tums, Rolaids, and other basic calcium carbonate antacids, stool softeners, and milk of magnesia fall into this category.

However, many meds can harm your baby or complicate your pregnancy. Avoid antacids with aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate. Don’t use laxatives without discussing them with your doctor, and avoid stimulant-type laxatives, which can cause contractions, especially later in pregnancy. When you doubt any medication, including herbal supplements, ask your doctor.

Staying hydrated and eating smaller, more frequent meals of easily digested foods may also help.

You may also be dealing with cravings, which may be your body’s way of communicating a nutritional need. However, your body is not communicating a specific need for Rocky Road ice cream with Oreos! Instead, it may be (for example) pleading for the calcium from dairy products and the protein, vitamin E, fiber, and magnesium in almonds. If your cravings lean heavily toward junk foods, you may need to practice translating them!

Skin & Hair

You’re using sunscreen on your face, right? Your skin can be more sensitive during pregnancy, and using sunscreen can help protect you from burns and the darker patches that many women see on their skin during pregnancy, called chloasma.

Aside from increased sensitivity, many women find that their skin is amazing during this period. Strangers will comment on your “glow!” Some women, however, may find that the oily or dry skin, and even acne breakouts, from earlier in pregnancy continue.

Stretch marks are expected. These can leave permanent scarring, but their effects are not only aesthetic. They can also cause itching and discomfort and affect how you feel about your body. It’s okay to own your stretch marks and appreciate what they represent, and it’s also okay to treat them, both to minimize discomfort and to avoid more pronounced lasting results.

You also may notice thicker, more luscious hair — on your head and everywhere else. You may notice leg hairs growing back more quickly after a shave, and hairs may even pop up on your chest, back, or face.

Nasal/Sinus Symptoms

A stuffy nose that lasts several weeks and has no other cause is called pregnancy rhinitis. This may also come with congestion that feels like heavy pressure in your face.

It can be treated with saline nasal sprays or rinses. Oral decongestants are not recommended unless your doctor agrees that the benefits outweigh the risks, in which case they will recommend the safest product and dose. A humidifier or breathing in the steam from a hot shower may also help.

You may even have nosebleeds. Apply pressure while keeping your head upright. If bleeding doesn’t stop after 30 minutes, if it’s too heavy, or if you feel lightheaded, seek medical care. Do not drive while experiencing lightheadedness.

Oxygenation, Heart Rate, & Fatigue Symptoms

Because your heart and lungs work a little harder in a tighter space to oxygenate your body and your baby’s while also contending with hormonal changes, higher blood volume, and other factors, it’s not unusual to have some related symptoms.

Getting winded more quickly during activity, perhaps even feeling a little dizzy, is pretty common. Still, if it’s severe or ongoing, or if you faint or have chest pains, you’ll need to call your doctor or emergency services.

You may also have a slightly elevated heart rate throughout pregnancy, as there’s more blood to pump. However, a racing heart or a heart rate elevated above your current normal can be a serious concern. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you think there may be a problem.

The extra work your organs are doing can also cause headaches. (These can have other causes too, including dehydration, which is also common in pregnancy.) If resting, hydrating, and/or taking OTC meds doesn’t ease your headache or if it’s very severe, contact your doctor, since this can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

Symptoms Of Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that will affect as many as one in every 12-13 women. Some women are at greater risk than others. Risk factors include having previously had pregnancy complications, being over 35, having a BMI over 30, chronic high blood pressure, and autoimmune disorders.

During pregnancy, there are several symptoms (such as headaches, mentioned above) that are common but may be a sign of pre-eclampsia if they’re more severe or don’t go away with simple treatments like OTC meds.

Swelling is another of these. During pregnancy, you may notice swelling or bloating in your hands, feet, ankles, and legs. Still, if your face swells, if swelling is accompanied by chest pain, if swelling is sudden, or if it’s uneven (one leg swollen more than the other) it could be a warning sign of pre-eclampsia.

Similarly, most women should be gaining weight now, but it shouldn’t be sudden and rapid. Sudden weight gain or excessive weight gain merits a call to your doctor.

Any vision changes could be a sign of pre-eclampsia or other serious complications, so contact your doctor immediately.

Pain & Cramping

What is this pain? Is it a back spasm, round ligament pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, or preterm labor? The easiest way to tell is to try to treat it.

Back pain and round ligament pain should ease with a change of position, heat application (try a warm bath or hot water bottle; be cautious with heating pads since you don’t want to raise your body temperature too much), or OTC pain meds.

Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes called practice contractions, don’t typically start until after week 20, and they usually stop if you change position. They also don’t have the regularity of actual labor contractions.

However, any pain that doesn’t ease with these simple methods warrants a call to your doctor, and you can always call for extra clarification if you need it.

Sleep Difficulties

Heartburn, indigestion, increased heart rate, hormonal changes, anxiety, RLS symptoms, and so many other factors can combine to make sleep very difficult during pregnancy. As much as possible, address the causes first!

That might mean adjusting your diet, hydrating, and getting the necessary nutrients through food and a multivitamin. You can also try sleep hygiene methods, such as turning off screens before bedtime, keeping a bedtime routine, limiting caffeine in the evening, and keeping your room and bed comfortable for sleep.

A pregnancy pillow, or just a few extra pillows, can help support your body for better rest.

If you’ve tried these basic methods and sleep deprivation is actively interfering with your daily life, speak to your doctor. Options for insomnia are more limited during pregnancy but may be available if the benefits outweigh the risks.

19 Week Pregnancy Symptoms Quick Recap:

• Breast changes – Increased size, visible veins, larger nipples and areolae, leaking colostrum, cracked or bleeding nipples.
• Digestive symptoms – Heartburn, indigestion, constipation, increased cravings, unusual cravings (e.g., dirt, clay, paper).
• Skin & hair changes – Pregnancy “glow,” oily or dry skin, acne breakouts, stretch marks, increased hair growth on the head and body.
• Nasal/sinus symptoms – Stuffy nose (pregnancy rhinitis), congestion, nosebleeds.
• Oxygenation, heart rate, & fatigue symptoms – Shortness of breath, dizziness, elevated heart rate, headaches.
• Pre-eclampsia symptoms – Severe headaches, sudden or uneven swelling (especially in the face or one leg more than the other), sudden rapid weight gain, vision changes.
• Pain & cramping – Back pain, round ligament pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, potential preterm labor.
• Sleep difficulties – Insomnia, difficulty finding a comfortable position, frequent waking, restless leg syndrome.

When To Contact Your Doctor

Pre-Eclampsia Symptoms

Any of the signs of pre-eclampsia mentioned above (headaches that don’t go away, sudden or excessive swelling, vision changes) should prompt an immediate call to your doctor.

Pre-Term Labor Symptoms

Any signs of labor at 19 weeks should be considered a medical emergency. These include leaking of amniotic fluid, contractions that are regular and become more frequent over time, and vaginal bleeding.

Changes in vaginal discharge can also be a sign. Green or gray discharge with a strong odor may be a sign of infection (which can also increase the risk of pre-term labor), but discharge that includes mucousy content or is pink or reddish, or bloody may be a sign of cervical dilation.

If treatment is sought quickly, your doctor may be able to administer medication to stop labor and help keep your baby inside until it’s safe to deliver, so don’t hesitate to call your doctor or an ambulance if you think you are in labor.

Severe Dehydration

Becoming severely dehydrated puts your baby at risk. If you can’t keep liquids down (even if it’s because you caught a stomach bug while pregnant), or if you go an extended amount of time without passing urine, call your doctor.

What Should Mom Be Doing At 19 Weeks?

Continue providing your body and baby with nutritious food and a multivitamin as needed.

Get plenty of rest and take breaks when your body needs them. Consider using a pregnancy pillow for extra support when sleeping.

Finalize any plans for maternity photoshoots, baby showers, a babymoon (a last trip with your spouse before life gets busier than ever), or other pregnancy events you’d like. Enroll in childbirth classes if you haven’t yet!

Start practicing those kegel exercises! This should feel like the same muscle motion you’d use to pause while passing urine. Not only will this help during labor, but it may also help prevent or reduce incontinence struggles that can sometimes accompany or follow pregnancy.

If you’ve chosen to have an amniocentesis, that will probably be this week or very soon. Your doctor has a list of routine tests that they will perform throughout pregnancy, and they will guide you through those tests.

Quick Recap Of What Mom Should Be Doing At 17 Weeks Pregnant:

• Eat nutritious food and continue taking a multivitamin if needed.
• Get plenty of rest and take breaks as needed; consider a pregnancy pillow for better sleep.
• Finalize plans for maternity photoshoots, baby showers, babymoons, and childbirth classes.
• Start kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles for labor and postpartum recovery.
• Amniocentesis may be scheduled this week if chosen; expect routine tests guided by your doctor.

What To Look Forward To

The halfway point of pregnancy is just around the corner! With it comes that mid-pregnancy ultrasound and feeling your baby move!

Some parents don’t want to know the sex of their baby. Others are very excited about this first advance detail about the identity of their soon-to-be little one. Either choice is fine, but if you don’t want to know, make sure you’re clear about it, because an ultrasound at this point may give it away. If you had the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) screening earlier in pregnancy, it can also reveal your child’s sex chromosomes.

If you haven’t talked about baby names yet, it’s time to start! Try writing the name, looking at the initials, and testing how the first, middle, and last names sound together.