What does the 19th week of pregnancy look like? How big is the baby?

The 19th week of gestation corresponds to the fifth month of pregnancy and therefore belongs to the second trimester. During this week, as it happens throughout the pregnancy, the body of the baby and the mother undergo changes.

In addition, it is common for the pregnant woman to feel twinges in the lower abdomen, cramping discomfort on both sides of the belly, especially when changing position. This is due to the stretching of ligaments and muscles that support the weight of the uterus, as the uterus has increased in size.

How does the baby develop?

By the 19th week of pregnancy, the baby is about 13-15 cm long and weighs approximately 200 grams. In addition, its skeleton hardens.

In the 19th week of pregnancy , millions of neurons are created, so the baby's brain is very similar to that of adults. Their central nervous system continues to develop, so their five senses begin to be active.

The baby will be able to hear the mother's voices and heartbeat, so it will wake up to noises as well since its sleeping habits begin to regularize. The buds of the permanent teeth are being created behind the milk teeth, which have already developed and are located inside the tooth sockets.

In relation to body morphology, the lower part of the baby's body is thinner and narrower than the head. Despite this, the belly begins to show below the umbilical cord in the 19th week of pregnancy.

How tall is the baby in the 19th week of pregnancy?

Finally, if your baby has not developed it yet, at this time of pregnancy it will produce the so-called vernix caseosa. It is a layer whose main function is to protect the baby's skin from the amniotic fluid.

Mother's body at 19 weeks of pregnancy

The 19th week of pregnancy is practically the halfway point of gestation, so it is already more complicated to conceal the belly. In addition, the woman may experience some discomfort due to the stretching of the uterus.

In the case of a first pregnancy, the pregnant woman may begin to feel the first movements of the baby. On the other hand, fetal movements will be noticed earlier if the woman is not a first-time mother. In any case, each pregnancy is different and will vary according to the musculature of each woman's uterine and abdominal walls.

On the other hand, the mother's heart during pregnancy must make an extra effort for blood circulation to reach the mother, placenta and fetus. For this reason, pregnant women may experience palpitations and anemia during pregnancy. Palpitations can be frightening, but most of the time they are of little consequence. In any case, it is advisable to consult your doctor and inform him/her if they are accompanied by other symptoms or are particularly frequent.

First changes in the mother in the 19th week of pregnancy

In addition, the woman may notice changes in the skin of the nose, cheeks and forehead. This is called chloasma or mask of pregnancy and is produced by pregnancy hormones (estrogens and progesterone). They do not always occur, but it is advisable to protect the skin from sun exposure and use sunscreens as preventive measures.

Common symptoms in week 19

The pregnant woman at week 19 will observe an increase in her vaginal discharge. This is due to increased blood circulation in the vaginal mucosa, but is not important. In addition, the following symptoms may appear in the 19th week of gestation:

• Hip pain due to weight gain.
• Heat caused by increased blood flow.
• Stretch marks.
• Burning.
• Fluid retention.
• Leg cramps
• Nasal congestion and bleeding.

What can a woman feel in the 19th week of pregnancy?

Apart from all these symptoms and changes in the mother, in the 19th week of pregnancy Chadwick's sign is also typical. It is a change in the color of the vaginal mucosa and cervix, acquiring a purplish or dark blue color. However, the truth is that this can occur in any week between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy and does not occur in all women.

Control in the 19th week of pregnancy

Some women do not undergo any testing at the 19th week of pregnancy. However, the second trimester ultrasound can be performed at any time between the 18th and 21st week of pregnancy, although in women with high body weight it is preferable to do it as close to the end of the trimester as possible.

Thanks to this ultrasound, it is possible to evaluate how tall the baby is and also if there are any anomalies in its development. Therefore, this second trimester ultrasound will provide information about possible malformations in the baby. If any malformation is detected that is not compatible with life, the specialist will discuss with the patients the possibility of terminating the pregnancy.

Morphologic ultrasound in the 19th week of pregnancy

In addition, if the sex of the baby is not yet known, this morphological ultrasound will be able to establish whether it is a boy or a girl.

FAQs from users

What tips to follow in the 19th week of pregnancy?

In the 19th week of pregnancy, the woman will continue to be agile. Nevertheless, it is recommended that pregnant women do physical exercise, but without becoming fatigued. For example, Pilates would be a good option in the 19th week of pregnancy, as it allows the whole body to work and strengthen the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor.

In addition, if the woman notices cramps in the legs or swelling, it is advisable to raise them high and rest them on a cushion, but not cross them. Another tip is to take care of the body posture, especially when sitting.

Is it normal for my belly to hurt in week 19 of pregnancy?

Yes, many pregnant women experience discomfort in the lower abdomen during pregnancy due to the enlargement of the uterus. The ligaments that support them go from being rounded to stretched and this is the reason for the onset of discomfort. In any case, if the pain is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, it is best to consult a specialist.

Is it a good time to do a 3D ultrasound in the 19th week of pregnancy?

The general recommendation is to perform the 3D ultrasound between the 22nd and 30th weeks of pregnancy since it will allow a better view of the baby and, therefore, to see its face and not only the bone structure. However, the truth is that you should always consult with a medical specialist when it would be best to do it depending on each situation. In addition, it should be taken into account that the position of the baby is essential for a good visualization.

Can you have an abortion at 5 months of pregnancy?

With 5 months of pregnancy, abortion is possible only if the pregnancy is a life-threatening factor for the woman or compromises her health severely. Also, if developmental abnormalities that are incompatible with life are detected in the fetus. A pregnancy can be terminated for these reasons up until week 22.

For a voluntary termination of pregnancy to be free of risks can be performed only until week 14.

Suggested for you

You are nearing the end of your fifth month of pregnancy. If you want to know what will happen in the next month of pregnancy, we invite you to visit the following article: What happens in the sixth month of pregnancy? Characteristics and symptoms.

In addition, one of the tests that is usually performed in the sixth month of pregnancy is the O'Sullivan test or sugar test in case the pregnant woman has developed diabetes. You can read more information here: What is gestational diabetes - Causes, symptoms and treatment.