19 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

At 19 weeks, your baby measures about 15 cm from head to bottom. Their legs and arms are more or less in proportion with their head and moving lots. They’re growing so quickly now, and starting to put on fat. Your baby will continue to pile on the pounds between now and when they are born.

Your baby’s skin is covered with a greasy substance called vernix caseosa, which protects your baby’s delicate skin from chapping and hardening. This vernix will still be in evidence when they’re born, so don’t worry if they look a little odd!

Amazingly, in that tiny body, your baby’s first teeth have already formed in the gums - and the beginnings of the second teeth are in position behind them! Nerves and muscles are developing rapidly, so your baby's movements are becoming less jerky and more controlled.

Their brain is busy developing the skills they need for smell, touch, taste, hearing and vision.

Your bump is getting bigger, and you’re getting heavier. At the moment, however, your baby’s increasing weight is only a small part of that – your growing uterus, the placenta, your fat reserves and the amniotic fluid are the main causes of the extra weight.

You're probably wondering how you’ll cope with the weight you’ll put on over the next few months until you give birth. Don’t worry: the pregnancy hormones are making your joints softer and your tendons more flexible, so your body will be able to handle the weight you gain. Just remember to keep doing those pelvic floor exercises!

Ravenous appetite

You may suddenly feel ravenously hungry due to the hormones affecting your body, including at night. This is your body’s way of getting the nutrients it urgently needs to support your baby as they grow. Eat when you want to but remember that smaller quantities are better and try to avoid unhealthy food. Despite the hunger, you’re not technically eating for two. Healthy snacks will serve you better than cake in the long run – but of course, occasional treats are ok.

Needing to pee

You'll definitely have noticed that you need to go to the toilet more often. That’s your pregnant belly pressing on your bladder – or, more accurately, your growing uterus. Always go when you need to, as it helps rid your bladder of pathogens which could otherwise cause problems there.

Heavy, painful legs and swollen feet

Even if you haven’t been walking very far or haven’t been standing for a long time, your legs can feel heavy and slightly painful. This is because of insufficient return flow in your blood and lymphatic system, which is sometimes inevitable given the huge amount of work your heart and blood vessels have to do during pregnancy. Return flow can be particularly bad in summer – many pregnant women suffer heavy legs in hot temperatures.

Take every opportunity you get to sit or lie down with your legs in a raised position. This will ensure enough blood circulates through your veins and your lymphatic system works as it should, which will help your swollen feet get back to normal more quickly. A foot massage with massage oil is another good way to speed up this process (plus it will help reduce your stress levels and you’ll sleep better). A cold foot bath will also do you good in the summer.

Your body

You may be feeling great right now, but try not to take on too much (we know, it's hard to keep that nesting instinct under control!). If you're on your feet a lot, try to take little breaks, chill out and relax - put your feet up for a few minutes and take the strain off your legs. Support tights will help if you notice a few varicose veins. You might also spy a dark line (called the linea nigra) developing between your navel and your pubic hair; this is totally normal, though you might think it looks a bit unusual!

Have you bought any maternity clothes?

It’s fine at first to get creative with elastic or braces, but at some stage you’re probably going to have to succumb to buying some trousers with elasticated bits in, a newly-fitted bra, maternity tights, and flat shoes (maybe even in a wider size than before!) The good news is, once you've got some maternity clothes that fit properly you'll feel much more comfortable. You don’t need to buy new. Check second hand selling sites for bargains.

Drinking fluids

It's a good idea to keep drinking lots of fluids (regardless of the number of loo visits you need to make!) but remember to check that your caffeine intake stays within recommended limits - and of course, that goes for alcohol too.

Bonding with your partner

Pregnancy can feel like a very individual journey, but the baby inside you is the product of two people, so try to ensure your partner is included. If you’re busy making decisions about what to buy, what to decorate, or how to celebrate your baby’s impending arrival, keep your partner in the loop, ask their opinion and try to make decisions as a team.

This is also a good time to spend time just the two of you, while you can. Have date nights, go for nice walks, and talk about what you want your future to look like. It’s really important that you’re both on the same page when the baby comes, so talking about your childhoods, what kind of parents you want to be, and what you don’t want to happen will help to ensure that happens.

What is the position of the baby at 19 weeks pregnant?

At 19 weeks pregnant, your uterus is still low down in your abdomen. Inside your uterus, your baby will be doing somersaults, with plenty of space to move around. When you have your next ultrasound you’ll be able to see which position they prefer.

How many months is 19 weeks pregnant?

At 19 weeks you are about four and a half months pregnant. Almost halfway there!

How often should I feel baby move at 19 weeks?

Baby movements at 19 weeks are still quite faint and many mums-to-be might not feel them at all just yet. Once you do start feeling the baby move, you will probably notice sometimes there is lots of movement and sometimes none, as the baby is sleeping inside the womb. Once you’ve become accustomed to the feeling of these movements, try to train yourself to be aware of them and find a way to note the pattern – whether you use an app, a wristband, or just write it down. This is an important way of monitoring your baby’s health, and will help reassure you that all is well.

What is my baby doing at 19 weeks in the womb?

Wriggling, kicking, punching, clenching their fists, sucking their thumb, and even doing somersaults. Your baby is learning how to use their body.

What should you avoid at 19 weeks pregnant?

If you’re an active person, continue living an active lifestyle as much as possible during pregnancy – it’s the best way to maintain your fitness for a quicker recovery post-birth. However, contact or extreme sports are probably best avoided, as you don’t want to risk an injury that could harm the baby.

Other things to avoid: doom scrolling through Instagram at midnight. Never a good idea, but you really do need your rest right now, and knowing what celebrity nurseries look like isn’t necessarily helpful if you’re not on a celebrity budget.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.