19 weeks pregnant
The changes in your body and the baby’s body can already be seen. The belly is evident externally in most women. Inside the womb, the baby continues to grow and develop the many functions of the body, even if observed only by ultrasound.
His movements intensify and the time of delivery is closer. The anxiety is great, but it is important to remain calm, take care of yourself and enjoy every moment of your pregnancy.
Baby development
To get an idea of how your baby is developing, some sensations and events of your pregnancy and what you should be aware of in these and in the coming weeks, continue reading this text.
The baby is now between 13 to 17 cm, measuring from head to butt and weighing between 200g to 240g. These measures are just one parameter and can differ for each baby, depending on family structure and other factors.
He perceives the external stimuli and soon, the internal bones of the ear harden and he will be able to distinguish his voice. For now, he knows the sound of your heart very well and feels the caresses you do in the belly.
The circulatory, digestive and urinary systems are fully formed and fully functioning. If you are pregnant with a girl, about 6 million eggs are in the ovary. The boy has his testicles formed and you can see the penis on ultrasound.
He alternates long periods sleeping with moments exploring the space around him, which for the time being is quite big, so he moves a lot, plays with the umbilical cord and makes faces.
What happens to mom
Pains in the spine and pelvic area are justified by the enlargement of the uterus, which is at the height of the navel and will increase on average 1 cm per week, the weight of the baby and the placenta. You have also had a weight gain.
The belly grows, the black line may have appeared, which is not common to all women and the nipples are darker, a factor that will help the baby in breastfeeding. Some spots appear on the face, which disappear after delivery.
Your body is working at full speed, which causes your heart to beat more times per minute, blood flow to increase, causing shortness of breath and greater feeling of heat. It is completely normal for you to want to wear your shirt on a colder day.
Care that should be taken at this stage
Sunscreen and body moisturizer are essential to avoid melasma and stretch marks, very common in pregnancy because they demand more of the skin’s elasticity and the increase in melanin in the body.
Exercise is an aid against excessive weight gain, constipation, bloating and breathing. Prefer low-impact exercises, such as walking, water aerobics, pilates, yoga. Always consult your doctor about which activities are best for you. Some women will need rest.
Talk to your doctor if shortness of breath, an uncomfortable but common symptom in pregnancy, comes with other symptoms such as palpitation, chest pain, tachycardia, fever and cold extremities. Watch out for preeclampsia.
If bedtime is more difficult, the suggestion is to prefer to lie on the left side, so as not to press the vena cava. There are pillows specially made to help pregnant women feel more comfortable.
Heartburn also happens. A balanced diet is a palliative against this problem, in addition to favoring adequate weight gain, much easier to be reduced after delivery.
Prefer eating foods rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Weight gain in pregnancy
The most indicated is to gain between 11 to 15 kg during the whole gestation. Underweight women should reach an increase of 18 kg and for those who are overweight, it is advisable to try to put on a maximum of 12 kg.
This recommendation has to do with maintaining the health of both the mother and the fetus, who already learn about eating habits while still in the womb. It receives better nutrients, has a great development, getting stronger and healthier.
If you are earning above or below your target, talk to your doctor or nutritionist about a targeted food program to guide you about the right foods.
The increase in women’s weight is not just body fat, which represents about 2.5 kg. Among the factors responsible are:
– the placenta, amniotic fluid, from 1.3 kg to almost 2 kg;
– breasts and uterus, almost 1.4 kg
– blood volume and muscle mass, just over 3 kg
– fluid retention, which increases an average of 3 kg
Of course,
– the baby’s weight, which should reach 3,200 to 3,600 kg by the end of pregnancy. This weight is just a standard, with a difference for each baby.
