Pregnancy Week 19

What’s your baby up to?

Your baby measures about 15cm long and weighs around 240g, about the size of a large mango. The arms and legs have grown proportionate to the body.

Your baby’s brain continues to develop, and specialize. There are now areas for the sense of smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.

A waxy coating  known as vernix caseosa is forming on your baby’s body. It regulates body temperature and protects baby’s skin while in the amniotic fluid.

How are you feeling?

Have you felt your baby’s kicks yet? They are getting more pronounced by now. It’s the most exciting feeling in the world. The final realization that someone is really alive and kicking inside you. You can poke your baby back whenever you feel the kicks, let the games begin!

Around now you may be having heartburn and indigestion, which could be caused by the pregnancy hormone- progesterone, which relaxes the valve at the entrance to the stomach. This valve would have prevented stomach acid from leaking into your oesophagus if it weren’t relaxed.

The increased volume of blood in your body, coupled with an active thyroid gland can make you feel especially hot and make you sweat more profusely than others.

Your growing uterus may squeeze on your lungs leaving you breathless sometimes.

Some women have patches of darkened skin known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy. It is an increased pigmentation of the skin which will have dark patches appearing on your upper lip, cheeks, or forehead.

What should you do this week?

Always protect yourself from the sun when going out, with sunscreen or hat, or an umbrella. Not doing this can intensify the pigmentation, and you’ll be very very dark. Bleaching cream is never the answer, as these marks are only temporary, and usually disappear after pregnancy.

To feel cooler, wear light clothing and breathable cotton materials, also drink lots of water. You can also get your partner to be your hand fan. If he is a sweetheart, he would be happy to chip in somehow and relieve some of your suffering.

Speaking of your partner, how is your relationship going? Pregnancy anxiety can sometimes put a strain on your relationship. It’s a good idea to engage in bonding activities together like going for your antenatal visits together, exercising, shopping for your baby, etc. You can even have a romantic getaway especially now that your pregnancy half-mark milestone is by the corner. It calls for celebration! When your baby arrives, you may not have the time for these things.

It’s always good to start shopping early for baby. Start buying items little by little as your pregnancy progresses, it’s easier on the pocket than buying everything at once. It’s also good to start now that you still have energy. If you are wondering what to buy, you should checkout our baby shopping guide.

Finally, stay informed, healthy and inspired, by reading  Maternity Nest. Connect with other moms-to-be for moral support, by joining your Due Date Club in the The Nest.