19 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development

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Explore pregnancy stages week by week

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See how your baby is developing at 19 weeks pregnant. Learn about changes to your body, your baby and important nutrients for week 19 of pregnancy.

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19

Weeks

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4

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19 weeks pregnant is how many months?

Month 5 (Trimester 2)

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Baby development at 19 weeks

Your baby is now putting on weight and practising their movements in the womb.

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Exercise at 19 weeks

Find out more about the pregnancy hormone relaxin and how it might affect your workout. 

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Diet & nutrition

Let’s think about zinc, and how important it is during your pregnancy.

There are some very exciting things happening this week. At 19 weeks pregnant, your baby is starting to put on fat, and their focus is on getting bigger as your pregnancy progresses1. By now, you may even have started to feel your baby moving around in the womb as they kick and wriggle1.

At 19 weeks pregnant, you’re now well into your second trimester. Let’s take a closer look at your baby’s development at 19 weeks pregnant, as well as some common pregnancy symptoms, including back pain, constipation and heartburn. We’ll also explore why zinc is important for a healthy pregnancy diet.

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Your baby’s development at 19 weeks pregnant 

At 19 weeks pregnant, your baby’s adult teeth are starting to grow in their gums, even though these won’t be making an appearance until midway through their childhood2.

Your baby is now developing one of their most unique features - their fingerprints, the lines of which have been forming since week 17 of your pregnancy1. In addition, your baby’s fingernails and toenails are growing, and they can make a firm grip with their little hands1.

How big is my baby at 19 weeks pregnant, and what do they look like?

At 19 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a beef tomato and is approximately 15.3cm long from their head to their bottom2.

Whilst your baby has started to put on weight, there’s still not a lot of fat on their tiny body and if you could see them now, your baby’s skin would look very wrinkled1. Rest assured, however, that they’ll continue to grow rapidly over the next few weeks and will be gaining weight in readiness for birth.

Pregnancy at 19 weeks (second trimester): what’s happening in my body?

As your baby bump continues to grow, it’s possible that you’ll start to experience some pelvic pain, a common feature of pregnancy for many women. Sometimes referred to as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), pelvic pain isn’t harmful to your baby, but it can make it uncomfortable for you to walk, turn over in bed, or go up and down the stairs3. 

If you have pelvic pain, seek advice from your doctor, as they’ll be able to provide advice around how to keep pain and discomfort to a minimum, and will consider whether you’d benefit from working with a physiotherapist3. 

At 19 weeks, you may also start to experience some irritation and discomfort in your eyes, as pregnancy hormones can cause a decrease in tear production4. Ironically though, those same pregnancy hormones can cause a build-up of excess fluid to build-up within your eyes, altering the curvature of your eyeball, and leading to mildly distorted vision5. 

It’s always advisable to seek medical advice if you experience any change at all to your eyes and vision. That’s because for a small number of women this can be a sign of preeclampsia, which if left untreated, can put you and your baby at risk6.

Your baby’s movements

This week, you may be able to feel your baby move for the very first time. Many women describe the feeling of their baby’s movements as being like a bubbling or fluttering, and it’s generally very light. Once your baby gets bigger, these movements will become stronger, and you might even be able to make out a hand or a foot1.  

19 weeks pregnant: signs and symptoms  

By now, you’re well into your pregnancy. If you’ve been experiencing some, or all, of the symptoms that can come along with it, you might be wondering what else you can expect at 19 weeks pregnant. Let’s take a look below.

Keep in mind that if you haven’t yet experienced any pregnancy symptoms, that’s OK too, as they don’t happen for all women. As long as your doctor and midwife are happy with how your pregnancy is progressing, there’s no cause for concern.

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Whilst tiredness and fatigue are common in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it’s likely that this was down to the hormonal changes that are going on in your body. Now, as your baby grows and your bump gets bigger, you may find that you have some difficulty sleeping due to the extra weight that your body is carrying7.

It can be tricky to find a comfortable position for sleep when pregnant, and waking up in the night to go for a wee can interrupt your sleeping routine. The NHS advises that it’s best to sleep on either your left or right side as opposed to on your back after 28 weeks. This is because of how it affects the flow of oxygen to your baby. However, there’s no need to worry if you wake up on your back, simply roll over onto your side again7. 

You might also want to try sleeping with a pillow between your knees which can help to support your bump as you sleep.

Vaginal thrush is a yeast infection that’s very common during pregnancy. If you notice unusual vaginal discharge that’s white and resembles cottage cheese, and that you have soreness and itching around your vagina, speak to your doctor, midwife of pharmacist. Thrush is easily treated, but it’s important that the treatment you use is suitable for use whilst you’re pregnant8.

To reduce the risk of getting thrush, avoid using perfumed soaps when you bath or shower, and wear loose cotton underwear.

You should also seek medical advice if your vaginal discharge smells unpleasant and is unusual in colour8.

A common feature of pregnancy for many women, at 19 weeks you may still find yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom for a wee. This is most likely down to the fact that your growing baby is putting more pressure on your bladder9.

At 19 weeks pregnant, it’s not uncommon for you to experience the symptoms of bloating and gas. The pregnancy hormone progesterone helps to relax the muscles in your uterus, so that there’s room for your baby to grow. As a result, it also relaxes the muscles in your digestive system too, which can cause you to feel bloated and gassy8.

As well as causing bloating and excess gas, the pregnancy hormone progesterone can also cause heartburn, also known as acid reflux. A very common symptom of pregnancy, heartburn is often made worse as your baby grows bigger and presses against your stomach10. Symptoms of heartburn include10:

  • Being sick or feeling sick.
  • A burning or painful sensation in your chest area.
  • Bringing up food and burping.
  • Bloating.

If you’re struggling to manage the discomfort heartburn is causing, speak to your doctor or midwife. They’ll be able to provide you with advice and guidance around pregnancy-safe heartburn remedies.

As your baby grows, it’s not uncommon to have some pain and discomfort in your abdomen. This is known as round ligament pain and is caused by your uterus growing and changing to accommodate your baby getting bigger11.

Always seek medical advice if your pain becomes severe or difficult to manage, or if you also experience any bleeding or unusual discharge.

During pregnancy, there are a lot of hormonal changes going on throughout your body, with progesterone and oestrogen being hard at work. As a result, it’s not uncommon for you to experience mood swings12.

Aside from the pregnancy hormones, having a baby is a big life change, and it can at times lead to you feeling a little overwhelmed and anxious. This is completely normal as you prepare for parenthood. Make sure that you speak to your friends and family, or your midwife and doctor, as they’ll be able to provide valuable support and reassurance. Be sure to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy balanced diet. Exercise can also help.

If your mood starts to feel low regularly, and you start to experience feelings of hopelessness, a loss of appetite, or becoming increasingly teary, it’s important to seek medical advice13.  You can read more about depression in pregnancy here.

It’s not uncommon for you to suffer with constipation at 19 weeks pregnant, as the hormonal changes your body is going through continue14.

To help minimise the risk of constipation, and ease any discomfort constipation might be causing you, try the following14:

  • Include plenty of fibre-rich foods in your diet. For example, fruit, vegetables, lentils and beans, and wholemeal breads and cereals. You can read more about the importance of fibre during pregnancy here.
  • Drink plenty of water. 
  • Try doing regular exercise during your pregnancy if you’re feeling well enough. 

Back pain can be very common in early pregnancy, but it’s something that many women experience all the way through, including at 19 weeks pregnant.

The ligaments in your body naturally stretch and become softer during pregnancy, all in readiness for labour and giving birth. This can result in backache as a strain is put on your pelvis and lower back15.

To ease the symptoms of back pain, there are a number of things you can try, including15:

  • Avoiding lifting heavy objects, as this can make back pain worse. 
  • Wear flat shoes as opposed to heels. 
  • Get plenty of rest as and when you need it. 
  • Having a warm bath which can help to relax you and ease backache. 
  • Using maternity support pillows when sitting down. 

If you experience a sharp, sudden pain in your calf muscles or feet, this could be the result of leg cramps. Leg cramps are very common in pregnancy, and you may notice that they occur more often at night14. To manage any discomfort, try14:

  • Bending and stretching your feet vigorously and regularly (try around 30 movements each time). 
  • Rub the muscles in the place where the leg cramp occurs. 
  • Pulling your toes towards your ankles. 
  • Rotate your feet up to 8 times in each direction. 

 

A well-known pregnancy symptom, some women find themselves experiencing pregnancy cravings. It might be that you suddenly get cravings for foods you wouldn’t normally eat, or for a particular food (either sweet or savoury) on a regular basis. It’s not known what causes pregnancy cravings, although there’s some evidence to suggest that they’re linked to the hormonal changes that effect your taste and smell during pregnancy16.

It’s impossible to predict when any pregnancy cravings will start or whether you’ll experience them at all. Whilst in the main they’re harmless, keep an eye on your sugar intake if your cravings are leaning more towards sweets and chocolate. Some women get cravings for non-food items such as chalk or dirt. These are known as pica cravings and can be a sign of an iron deficiency. As such, always speak to your doctor or midwife if they occur16.  

Exercising at 19 weeks pregnant

As long as your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your midwife or doctor is happy for you to do so, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy exercise during your pregnancy. In fact, exercise can have many benefits, for both you and your baby17.

However, keep in mind that as your bump grows larger, some of your movements will become trickier. You may need to adapt your routine to accommodate the extra weight that you’re carrying which can affect your balance and put extra strain on your muscles18.

The hormonal changes your body is going through to prepare for birth also mean that the ligaments in your pelvis, spine and hips will soften. As a result, they’re more prone to damage and injury, so be very careful and take things slowly and steadily19. Remember: exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous, and you should be able to easily hold a conversation while exercising. If you struggle for breath, you’re likely overdoing it. Read more about exercising safely in pregnancy.

By now, pelvic floor exercises might be a part of your daily routine. If not, try to make time to incorporate them. Pelvic floor exercises can help to strengthen the muscles around your vagina, bladder and bottom. They’re very helpful in reducing the likelihood of urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor exercises can also make having sex better and your orgasms stronger20.

Focus on: Zinc 

Reviewed by Bahee van de Bor

During pregnancy, you’ll need 7 mg of zinc every day, which will all come from the food that you eat21. It’s very important that you get the amount of zinc that you need, as it helps to support your immune system22, which is weaker during pregnancy23. 

Why not try adding these zinc-rich foods to your diet?24.

  • Meat and poultry, especially turkey
  • Wholegrain breads and cereals
  • Nuts and seeds such as pumpkin seeds, peanuts, lentils and kidney beans
  • Some shellfish, including as crab and mussels. Be aware however that some fish and shellfish should be avoided whilst pregnant, and you can learn more about eating fish in pregnancy.
  • Milk, cheese and eggs

The absorption of zinc from plant foods may be inhibited by the presence of phytates. Therefore, to optimise your zinc intake, it's beneficial to include a variety of both plant and animal sources in your diet.

The science behind: Zinc

Your baby’s tissue and DNA development relies on a good supply of zinc during pregnancy25. It helps the development of their circulatory and nervous system, and also supports their skeleton to grow26.  In addition, Zinc is vital for normal brain function and development27 and will help your baby to build a strong immune system28.  

19 weeks pregnant: next steps

At 19 weeks pregnant, there are a number of things that you might be thinking about as you prepare to meet your baby. If you’ve got ideas around how you’d like to give birth, start writing them down in a birth plan, so that your midwife and birth partner can be in the know when you go into labour.

Whilst it might be a little early to get packing, giving some thought to what you might put in your hospital bag is a good call. Why not download our handy hospital bag checklist to help you get started? 

Other things to think about this week include:

  • Making sure that pelvic floor exercises are a part of your daily routine. 
  • Get up to speed on your maternity rights when it comes to your employment. 
  • Continue with a healthy pregnancy diet and ensuring that you’re taking the necessary supplements if you’ve been advised to do so by your doctor or midwife. 

 

Your baby's future health begins here

At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; and that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

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  2. NHS Start for Life. Pregnancy week 19 [online]. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/2nd-trimester/week-19/. [Accessed January 2024]

  3. NHS. Pelvic pain in pregnancy [online] 2022. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/pelvic-pain/. [Accessed January 2024]

  4. Yenerel NM, Küçümen RB. Pregnancy and the Eye. Turk J Ophthalmol. 2015 Oct;45(5):213-219. doi: 10.4274/tjo.43815. Epub 2015 Oct 5. PMID: 27800235; PMCID: PMC5082244.

  5. Tommy’s. Vision problems in pregnancy [online] 2023. Available at https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-symptom-checker/vision-problems-pregnancy

  6. NHS. Pre-eclampsia [online] 2021. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/. [Accessed January 2024]

  7. NHS. Tiredness and sleep problems [online]2021. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/tiredness/. [Accessed January 2024]

  8. NHS. Vaginal discharge in pregnancy [online] 2021. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vaginal-discharge/. [Accessed January 2024]

  9. NHS Start for Life. Pregnancy week 10 [online]. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/1st-trimester/week-10/. [Accessed January 2024]

  10. NHS. Indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy [online] 2021. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/indigestion-and-heartburn/. [Accessed January 2024]

  11. NHS Kent and Medway. Bump, birth and beyond: Mid pregnancy [online]. Available at https://www.kentandmedwaylms.nhs.uk/my-pregnancy/my-pregnancy-journey/mid-pregnancy. [Accessed January 2024]

  12. Tommy's. Emotional changes in pregnancy [online] 2018. Available at https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing/emotional-changes-pregnancy. [Accessed January 2024]

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  16. NHS Start for Life. Pregnancy week 5 [online]. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/1st-trimester/week-5. [Accessed January 2024]

  17. NHS. Exercise in pregnancy. [Online]. 2020. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pregnancy-exercise/. [Accessed January 2024]

  18. NHS Borders. Keeping active during and after pregnancy [online] 2004. Available at https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/media/365948/Keeping-active-during-and-after-pregnancy.pdf. [Accessed January 2024]

  19. NHS Inform. Keeping active in pregnancy [online] 2023. Available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/pregnancy/looking-after-yourself-and-your-baby/keeping-active-in-pregnancy/. [Accessed January 2024]

  20. NHS. What are pelvic floor exercises? [online] 2023. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/what-are-pelvic-floor-exercises/. [Accessed January 2024]

  21. NHS. Others - vitamins and minerals [online] 2020. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others/. [Accessed January 2024]

  22. National Institutes of Health. Zinc - Fact Sheet for Health Professionals [online] 2022. Available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/. [Accessed January 2024]

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  24. British Nutrition Foundation. Vitamins and minerals [online] 2021. Available at https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthy-sustainable-diets/vitamins-and-minerals/. [Accessed January 2024]

  25. Iqbal S, Ali I. Effect of maternal zinc supplementation or zinc status on pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. Heliyon. 2021 Jul 10;7(7):e07540. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07540. PMID: 34368474; PMCID: PMC8326740

  26. First Steps Nutrition Trust. Eating well for a healthy pregnancy - a practical guide [online] 2017. Available at https://www.mkchildrenshealth.cnwl.nhs.uk/media/1030/eating-well.pdf. [Accessed January 2024]

  27. Shahshahani S, Sajedi F, Fatollahierad S. Effect of Zinc supplementation on child development: a systematic review and metaanalysis Protocol. Iran J Child Neurol. 2021 Winter;15(1):9-17. doi: 10.22037/ijcn.v15i1.22515. PMID: 33558810; PMCID: PMC7856432

  28. Wellinghausen N. Immunobiology of gestational zinc deficiency. Br J Nutr. 2001 May;85 Suppl 2:S81-6. PMID: 11509094.

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