For someone who was the size of a sesame, it doesn’t hurt to grow to the length of a mango in a few weeks, huh? So it is! Your baby is approximately 15cm from head to toe at 19 weeks pregnant. And to think that he still has a lot to grow …
And it’s not just the size, no. She doesn’t stop developing in there. The brain is one of the organs that doesn’t stop working, especially the areas assigned to the senses: smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch. By now, the baby has already learned the sucking motion, which will be very important later, in the outside world, for breastfeeding. He trains with his own finger. Also, he’s already starting the swallowing motion, with the same amniotic fluid. There are so many adventures that you should start feeling the movements inside your belly more, if you weren’t already feeling them.
19 weeks pregnant: Hello vernix!
At 19 weeks pregnant, the skin begins to produce a layer of a kind of wax, called vernix caseosa, made up of secreted oils, dead skin cells and lanugo, the fine hair that covers the body. You know that whitish “slime” that covers the whole newborn when it comes out of the belly? It’s the paint. Protects your little one’s skin from the effects of floating in amniotic fluid. It is a fat material, very rich and nutritious. Contrary to what it may seem to first-time fathers and mothers, it’s not dirty, is it, see? The substance helps moisturize the skin, nourish it, regulate temperature and reduce the risk of peeling and infection. Therefore, the spray paint should not be removed immediately after birth, and you can wait until the first bath. In a few days, the substance is absorbed into the skin itself. So when you go to bathe your newborn, if he still has that layer on, don’t scrub!
Your body at 19 weeks pregnant
Exercise (as long as it’s cleared by your doctor) is fine, but at this stage in your pregnancy, your body may feel a little weird when you move, especially if you plan on engaging in activities like running. And it’s normal! And again, hormones are to blame. To help your body adjust as your baby grows and also for labor and delivery, your body releases relaxin, a hormone that “unwinds” ligaments, leaving your back, knees and heels with less support. Do not force it and, if in doubt, speak to your doctor.
What about stretch marks?
It may be that, at this point, you also begin to notice the appearance or intensification (if you already had it before) of marks on the skin of the belly, breasts and bottom, mainly. These are the famous stretch marks, very common in pregnancy, due to the rapid stretching of the skin. To soften (or avoid), pay attention to skin nutrition and hydration. Here are more expert tips and different products that can be your allies in this mission.
It’s still:
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
