Baby's Growth and Development at 19 Weeks Pregnant

During the weeks before, during, and after your 19th week of pregnancy, your baby’s brain develops at a phenomenal rate. Other systems continue to grow.

• Your baby now measures about 6 inches, or the length of a summer squash.
• When you’re 19 weeks pregnant, your baby’s brain develops millions of motor neurons. Neurons are nerves that help muscles in the brain communicate. This new and ongoing development means your baby can make purposeful and involuntary movements. She can suck her thumb, move her head, or make other moves that you might start to feel.
• Your baby’s hearing is even more developed when you’re 19 weeks pregnant. She probably can hear external sounds and conversation by this time, or will very soon. Your voice is the most pronounced. She can hear you talk, hum, and sing!
• Your baby’s skin is covered in a white, waxy, protective coating called vernix.
• Under the vernix, the fine hair called lanugo continues to cover her skin.
• By your 19th week of pregnancy, your baby’s kidneys function. Her urine is excreted into your amniotic sac, the bag of fluid in your uterus that contains your baby and amniotic fluid. Your placenta then removes the waste.

Your Changing Body at 19 Weeks Pregnant

During your 19th week of pregnancy and the weeks surrounding this time, your body continues to change and adapt to accommodate your baby’s current growth and future needs.

• Your body makes more blood.
• Your circulatory system expands and keeps blood pressure lower than normal. As a result, you might get dizzy, lightheaded, nauseated, or faint if you stand or rise too quickly.
• Around your 19th week of pregnancy, you might experience nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and headaches due to increased blood flow. Learn how to treat nasal issues.
• You also might encounter tender or bleeding gums. Learn about dental care during pregnancy.
• At 19 weeks pregnant, your lung capacity continues to increase. You might breathe faster or experience shortness of breath.
• Your breast cup size increases around your 19th week of pregnancy due to enlarging milk-duct glands and increasing blood flow.

Wellness and Nutrition at 19 Weeks Pregnant

At 19 weeks pregnant, keep nutrition and exercise interesting and fun. Introduce some new foods and new moves.