7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 19
Get ready to RUMBLE! Have you felt the baby move yet? If not, you will soon. Baby is well on his way to some serious tumbling and aerobic action. In the next few months you may feel baby kicking, flexing, reaching and rolling - no worries - it's just your future soccer player getting in a little practice.
Week 19 Overview
Baby is now coated by an oily substance called vernix, a white cheesy "cream" which protects baby's delicate skin from the amniotic fluid. Also at this time, Lunago appears all over the baby's body. This fine hair will remain until birth draws near. Baby's skeleton is still rather rubbery, but will begin to harden over the next few weeks. During this time the heart and circulatory system are becoming more complex.
Baby's Physical Development
- Crown-to-rump, baby measures 5.2 to 6 inches long and weighs about 7 ounces
- Girls will have primitive egg cells in her ovaries
- Permanent teeth buds are forming behind the already formed milk teeth buds.
Congratulations - you're almost half way through your pregnancy! You should have gained around 12-14 pounds by now - of course only 7-10 ounces of that is baby. The rest of the weight gain is the result of an increase in size of the uterus, placenta, and amniotic fluid. In addition, your breasts have each increased in weight by 6.3 ounces.
If the shoe fits... So you expected to get bigger, but did you know your feet would too? Swelling of feet is a common symptom of pregnancy that often results from water retention and general loosening of ligaments occuring throughout your body. Many women's feet grow half a shoe size per child. Bear in mind this change in shoe size is often permanent.
Time to Start Thinking About
Did you know now is the perfect time to look into childbirth classes. There are many types of classes that are excellent ways for to learn about pregnancy, labor and birth. Typical classes teach labor support techniques, breathing for labor, stages of labor and more. Research indicates that participants in childbirth classes usually have easier, less stressful births. When choosing a class keep in mind that smaller is better. A class with five or six couples is ideal, more than ten is not recommended.
The three major childbirth schools of thought are:
- Grantly Dick-Read: combines relaxation techniques and prenatal education to break the fear-tension-pain cycle of labor and delivery.
- Lamaze: uses knowledge and relaxation techniques as weapons against pain. The expectant mother is conditioned through intensive training and practice, to substitute useful responses to the stimulus of labor contractions in place of counterproductive ones. The father or other coach trains with the mother to assist her during both labor and delivery.
- Bradley: emphasizes good diet and uses exercise to ease the discomforts of pregnancy and to prepare muscles for birth and breasts for nursing. This method employs deep abdominal breathing.
Tips for Mom
During pregnancy many women experience sciatica, excruciating pain that runs from the buttocks down the legs. Physicians recommend you refrain from standing for long periods of time, and avoid lifting heavy objects. To soothe aching legs and prevent varicose veins try elevating your kegs often and wearing pregnancy support hose. Be sure to let your physician know about symptoms of sciatica.
If you suffer from allergies they may get a little worse during pregnancy. The best way to deal with allergies is to drink plenty of fluids. Be sure to check with your physician before taking any medication or nasal sprays for allergies. For the fortunate few, there is the chance that allergies may improve during pregnancy.
Complications to Watch For
Most pregnancies occur without any complications or problems. But there are times when your physician should be contacted immediately. The following list contains symptoms to be aware of during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe swelling of the fingers and face
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of fluid from the vagina, usually a gush of fluid, but sometimes a trickle or continual wetness
- A big change in the baby's movements or a lack of movement
- High fever (more than 101.6F;38.7C) or chills
- Severe vomiting or an inability to keep food or liquid down
- Blurring of vision
- Painful urination
- A headache that won't go away or a severe headache
- An injury or accident, such as a fall or automobile accident, that causes you concern about the well-being of your pregnancy
Tips for Dad
Whether it's adding another room, assembling a crib or painting the nursery, Dad is going to be doing a lot of handyman work around the old homestead. Make sure Dad has all the tools he needs to complete all his home improvement efforts. The most important addition to your home will appreciate all of dad's hard work!
Prenatal Care Checklist
- Lying on your left side with a firm pillow under your head will usually be the most comfortable position for sleeping. This position brings more oxygen to the baby and eases the load on your kidneys.
- Try a body pillow.
- Bath water should not exceed 100 degrees F. Saunas and hot tubs are off limits.
- Do not douche or use tampons. Take a warm bath or use pads instead.
- You should not be changing the kitty litter because harmful parasites may be present.
- Travel is okay as long as you don't travel far from home during the last month of pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if a travel emergency arises.
- Seatbelts will not harm your fetus.
- Use both shoulder and lap belts and make sure to place the lap belt under your belly, across the hips and thighs.
- Avoid contact with any harmful chemicals or fumes.
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505