19 weeks pregnant: baby, body, bump

You at 19 weeks pregnant: body, bump, breasts – and feet

Your changing shape

You’re probably looking pregnant, and it could be time to get some maternity clothes or at least some looser ones. You might have to say goodbye to your favourite jeans for a while.

You might be amazed at your changing shape. And if you have curves in places where you never expected them, you might feel sexy and voluptuous.

But it’s also possible that the physical changes that come with pregnancy might make you feel less sexy or desirable. Or you might feel that your body is no longer yours.

These sorts of changes can influence your relationship with your partner too.

Bump

You might worry about the size of your ‘bump’ – too big or not big enough?

It doesn’t matter how big it looks or what other people say about it.

Your doctor or midwife will check your baby’s growth as your pregnancy progresses. They do this by feeling your tummy and measuring the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus.

Breasts

Your breasts are almost certainly bigger now.

If you haven’t already, you could think about being fitted for a maternity bra if your budget allows. Or you might find that a fitted sports top is enough.

Feet

Your feet might be bigger too. This is because of the extra fluid in your body, the extra weight you’re carrying, and stretching in your ligaments.

Your favourite shoes might not fit anymore. As well as comfort, your feet need good support to prevent problems down the track.

You might become very focused on your pregnancy around now. Other things in your life could seem less important.

pregnancy illustration, week 19

Your baby at 19 weeks of pregnancy

How big is your baby at 19 weeks of pregnancy?

Your baby is about 15 cm in length from head to bottom and about 260 g.

What’s happening with your baby’s development at 19 weeks of pregnancy?

Your baby is:

putting on brown fat deposits beneath the skin – this helps to keep your baby warm
being coated in vernix – a white, creamy substance that protects their skin from amniotic fluid
awake for about 6 hours a day and asleep for 18 – just like a newborn.

Ultrasound scan at 18-20 weeks

You might have an ultrasound scan this week to check that your baby is growing healthily and to check the position of your placenta. This detailed ultrasound is one of the routine tests in pregnancy.