The middle of pregnancy is approaching, a woman can safely say that almost half of this long and interesting path has been successfully passed. The 19th week of pregnancy has begun. This is a rather interesting and eventful week, which, perhaps, will be remembered for a lifetime, because right now the contact is being established between mother and baby - now they can feel each other. We will tell you more about what else is happening at this time.
How many months is it?
According to the usual calendar calculation, it is the middle of the fifth month. But according to obstetric standards, pregnancy is considered not calendar months, but lunar months, in each of them exactly 28 days. The first obstetric week is already when the baby is not yet and the mother's body is still preparing for ovulation and the subsequent fertilization of the released egg. When conception takes place, the third obstetric week begins. The 19th week of pregnancy is the end of the fifth obstetric month, only a week and six days separate a woman from the “equator” of pregnancy - her middle.
If a woman is at the nineteenth week, this means that 17 weeks have gone from the moment of conception and 15 weeks have passed since the day of the delay in menstruation, which never "came" to the great joy of all household members.
The woman is now in the second trimester. The gestation period allows her to enjoy her position without feeling heavy or tired. All these unpleasant "companions" will come a little later.
Feelings of a future mother
There is still a long time before going on maternity leave, and now a woman's daily life is not much different from the previous one: she still goes to work, school, does her usual household chores, and meets friends.
The physical condition quite allows her to do this, because while the most calm and easiest period of pregnancy is going on. However, great changes have already taken place in the worldview of a pregnant woman - the understanding that soon another person will be born, for whom she is responsible, makes the woman more thoughtful, measured, and serious. At week 19, sensations can be very different, we will consider just a few of them.
Stirring
Future mothers are waiting for this moment as a real miracle. This week, the baby's movements are already felt by all women whose pregnancy is not the first, but the second or third. Small tremors are also clearly felt by women who expect the appearance of twins or triplets. Only those who are carrying the first child can stay in anticipation. The absence of movements should not scare such a pregnant woman; normally, during the first pregnancy, they begin to be felt about 20 weeks.
In women, the question often arises why one can already feel the movements, while the other has "silence" in the tummy at the same time. It's quite difficult to answer it unequivocally, the movements are very individual. When they begin, it depends not only and not so much on the duration of pregnancy, but on the physique of the pregnant woman, her sensitivity, the place of attachment of the placenta.
If the "baby's place" is located on the front wall, the woman will feel the movement a little later than the pregnant woman with the placenta on the back wall of the uterus.
Women who lead a more active lifestyle, move a lot, work, study, and later feel movements, because during the day they have no time to focus on the sensations in the stomach. And ladies who can afford to relax, rest, lie down during the day usually declare new sensations earlier.
Some pregnant women who are worried about the lack of movement do not realize that the movement is actually already there. It can be difficult to recognize the first subtle movements of the baby, especially if the pregnancy is the first.
Often, the expectant mother perceives them for fermentation of gases or intestinal peristalsis, and only when the baby grows up a little, increases in size, they begin to understand that these were not gases at all. Usually, such future mothers find it difficult to accurately answer the question of their attending physician about the date of the first movements.
Belly growth
At week 19, there are practically no pregnant women who do not have a growing belly. Even overweight women, whose curves begin to be visualized later, now walk with a protruding belly. Regular clothes have become uncomfortable, now women are trying to change their wardrobe for more spacious things that do not hinder movement.
By the asymmetry of the abdomen in the supine position, a woman can already guess in which part of the abdominal cavity the baby is currently located.
The tummy, resembling a ball, is the object of increased attention from others. And there are always those who want to touch it. It is clear that expectant mothers are uncomfortable with this.
There is no need to hesitate to immediately indicate your position in communicating with such people - only a categorical prohibition on the touch of strangers to the stomach can stop these attempts and return the future mother to peace of mind.
Now the grown uterus does not allow lying on the stomach, it is also unpleasant to lie on the back, because the uterus compresses the vena cava, which can cause a woman to feel dizzy. At week 19, you can wear a special prenatal brace to relieve stress on your back, legs and lower back.
Appetite and sleep
Women who are 19 weeks pregnant usually do not complain of a lack of appetite. I want to eat, and almost constantly. In such conditions, it is important not to lose vigilance and not "eat up" extra pounds. It is important to control both the quantity and quality of food, and to avoid foods that are undesirable during pregnancy.
Sleep in general can be disrupted. But not because of hormones, as it was in the first trimester of pregnancy, but because of physical inconvenience - a woman constantly has to choose a comfortable position for rest. The choice is now small - only the right and left sides, at the time of the coup, spontaneous awakenings are possible.
Sleep can be improved by using special maternity pillows that support the abdomen and upper leg. If there is no such pillow, you can replace it with three small pillows, which are placed under the stomach, knee of the upper leg and under the pelvis (if necessary).
Mood and emotions
A woman at the 19th week of pregnancy is an image popular in jokes, since popular rumor is making legends about the forgetfulness and absent-mindedness of expectant mothers at this time. They somewhat exaggerate the scale of what is happening, but on the whole it was noted correctly - the woman is now really in a kind of euphoria.
Its inhibition is due to the effect of hormones on the brain and nervous system - with the help of such a protective mechanism, the body reduces the load on the psyche and the emotional sphere of the expectant mother so that her experiences and strong emotions do not harm the developing baby.
In general, the pregnant woman becomes calmer, more peaceful. Now there is no longer strong worries about possible threats and risks. If the movements are already felt, then it becomes easier for mom to communicate with her baby, she becomes more sentimental, sensitive.
A woman at this time usually still does not really need physical help, but she desperately needs moral support, love and understanding at any stage of pregnancy.
Pain
At week 19, some women begin to feel that their pubic bone hurts when they change their position. The pelvic bones soften, begin to disperse - so the body gradually begins to prepare for the upcoming birth. If the pain is not strong, does not interfere with walking, sitting, then there is nothing wrong with this phenomenon. If the pubic bone bothers you strongly, you should tell your doctor about it: perhaps symphysitis begins.
Most often, in the current period, women complain that their back and lower back hurt. Such pains, if they do not proceed abruptly, intensely, cramping, but are of an episodic unexpressed nature, are quite natural - the growing uterus causes stretching and compaction of the ligamentous apparatus. Associated with this and tingling in the uterus, and small "lumbago" in the lower abdomen. Pulls on the lower back due to a change in the center of gravity, as well as due to increased weight.
Headache rarely hurts at 19 weeks. At the very beginning of pregnancy, headaches were caused by the hormone progesterone, of which a lot was produced. Now, headaches that last for a long time and happen often can be more dangerous symptoms: high blood pressure, vascular problems are just a few of the possible causes. Therefore, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Allocations
The discharge from the current week should be monitored constantly. This good habit will do well in the third trimester. Panty liners will help a woman to accurately identify any changes. Normally, the discharge at week 19 becomes slightly more than before. But their consistency, color and smell should not change.
The norm is a light, white, slightly yellowish discharge that is odorless or has a weak sour odor. If the color of the vaginal secretion has changed, an unpleasant odor has appeared, you should definitely visit the doctor without waiting for the date of the scheduled appointment.
Bloody discharge, pink, brown, both abundant and scarce, can be a sign of an incipient miscarriage. A weak brown "daub", especially after sex, may indicate that a woman has cervical erosion.
Dark gray, brown, green discharge is a sign of a bacterial infection of the genital tract. Typically, such discharge has an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of fishy, and is also accompanied by itching or increased painful urination.
White discharge against a background of itching, reminiscent of cottage cheese in consistency, is a sign of thrush. This ailment often accompanies a woman throughout pregnancy, from time to time declaring itself as an exacerbation.
Watery discharge, reminiscent of the effects of urinary incontinence, may indicate leakage or discharge of amniotic fluid. When such discharge appears, you should immediately call an ambulance.
It is not necessary for a woman to know all the features of the vaginal secretion; it is enough to simply follow the rules of hygiene and always inspect her panty liner before changing it.
Toxicosis
Toxicosis is not typical for week 19. However, we are talking only about toxicosis already familiar to women - with nausea and intolerance to odors and certain foods. Right now, another toxicosis may begin, late, which in medicine is called "gestosis". It is much more difficult to recognize it.
Weight gain in excess of the norm, if a woman tries to eat properly and follows all the recommendations, may be a sign of internal edema - a dangerous dropsy of pregnant women. Visible swelling can now appear on the face, arms, and legs. The first alarming symptoms are difficulties in removing the rings from the fingers, as well as characteristic prints from the elastic band of socks on the ankles.
If such signs appear at week 19, a woman should definitely inform her doctor about it. A pregnancy complicated in this way can end in premature birth, placental abruption, intrauterine death of the baby, fetal hypoxia, complications in childbirth. A pregnant woman with gestosis needs special medical supervision.
Changes in the body
At week 19, a woman may experience a tingling sensation in the navel for the first time. This is a completely normal phenomenon associated with stretching of the abdominal skin. Soon, this unpleasant sensation will pass. Other physiological changes include the following.
Dimensions of the uterus
The uterus has increased markedly. Now the line of its bottom (its upper part) is only one centimeter below the navel. The height of the uterine fundus is now between 17 and 21 centimeters, most often 18-19 centimeters. The uterus is located in the abdominal cavity, gradually "pushing back" the internal organs.
The length of the cervix is 40-45 mm; a shorter cervix can become a serious complication of pregnancy. Its shortening at this time is regarded as isthmic-cervical insufficiency, which poses a threat of miscarriage.
Over the entire period of bearing the baby, the woman's uterus increases approximately 500 times, and its growth is still ahead of it. From this week, the measurement of the height of the fundus of the uterus will be carried out at each scheduled appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist. The received data of the VSDM are entered into the exchange card of the expectant mother.
Weight gain
By this week, all women, without exception, state that they have significantly recovered and gained weight. But the increase itself will be different. The increase in body weight now is not only a consequence of the expectant mother's good appetite, but also a physiologically determined situation - under the influence of progesterone, fat reserves were deposited during the first trimester, and now the amount of blood has increased, the placenta is developing.
How much a woman will add by week 19 depends on her starting weight. If she was thin before giving birth, now she will normally see + 5.6 kilograms on the scales. Women with normal weight or slightly overweight before pregnancy should now add no more than 4.9 kilograms. Expectant mothers who have been diagnosed with obesity should not gain more than 2.6 kilograms now.
If the increase significantly exceeds these norms, the doctor will definitely prescribe additional tests to find out if the woman has internal edema, gestosis. A universal diet for pregnant women will also be prescribed, which will help bring the weight in accordance with the norms.
It is advisable for a woman to weigh herself not only at the reception once a month, but also every week at home. To do this, it is best to weigh on the same day in the morning after using the toilet: the results will be more reliable.
Chest
The mammary glands of many pregnant women have increased by more than two sizes. Now they do not hurt as much as it did in the first third of pregnancy, but the nipples continue to be denser and more sensitive than before pregnancy. The nipple circles could darken, and small bumps, the so-called Montgomery nodules, could appear on and around the nipples.
This week, a woman may begin to experience itching in the lower part of the mammary glands and on the sides - this is stretching of the skin. If the right measures are not taken now, ugly and difficult to remove stretch marks on the chest may remain. To prevent their appearance, now a woman can start using emollient moisturizers, hypoallergenic creams, as well as start wearing a "correct" bra, securely supporting the breasts with fixing cups and wide straps.
Many women who are carrying their second or third baby already have thick white or yellowish colostrum from the nipples. Primiparous women may not have it yet.
Hair and skin
The hair of a woman at the 19th week of pregnancy becomes thicker and silky. A woman's skin acquires an unprecedented sensitivity, which is why it is now not recommended to experiment with new cosmetics. It is better to refrain from excessive use of old proven means without an urgent need.Contact allergy is one of the most common complaints among women who are in this period.
It is not recommended for a pregnant woman to visit the bathhouse, sauna, solarium. Any thermal effect on the skin in particular and on the entire body as a whole is dangerous.
If the middle of pregnancy falls on a hot summer, you should protect your skin from excessive exposure to sunlight, so as not to provoke excessive pigmentation. If the period falls in the middle of winter, the skin should be protected from the effects of cold wind.
Dyspnea
At 18-19 obstetric weeks, a woman may begin to feel quite pronounced shortness of breath. Even small physical activity, habitual household chores, a short walk at a brisk pace can cause feelings of lack of air, dizziness. There are two reasons for the occurrence of this phenomenon at this time.
- Increased amount of circulating blood, and, accordingly, the load on all organs, including the lungs of women, increased in frame proportion (more than 40%).
- The development of shortness of breath contributes growing uterus, which is already beginning to "prop up" the diaphragm. If shortness of breath often torments you, you should discuss this issue with the attending doctor, he may recommend breathing exercises and, if necessary, examine the respiratory organs of a pregnant woman for possible pathologies. Infrequent attacks of shortness of breath do not need treatment, a woman just needs to learn how to measure her strength, avoid physical overload, try to walk slowly, measuredly.
Baby development
The intensive growth of the fetus is over, now the baby will grow at a calmer pace and gain weight every day. At 19 weeks, its size is comparable to a very large potato tuber. The baby's height is 22-25 centimeters, and the weight is almost 300 grams.
For 17 embryonic weeks, the baby went through several stages of development - it was a set of cells, an embryo, now it is considered a fetus, the fetal period of intrauterine development is underway.
Appearance
The skin of the baby gradually ceases to be wrinkled and red. This is due to the fact that the formation of subcutaneous fat has already begun, which gradually accumulates, smoothes "wrinkles" and separates thin layers of the skin from the bloodstream, due to which the very red color was present.
Every day the baby becomes more pretty, the first roundness begins to appear. Subcutaneous fat is primarily deposited on the neck, in the area of the shoulder blades, on the chest and lower back. In the first days after the baby is born, this fat will help maintain body temperature and will also be an important source of energy for the new man.
Thinness in your baby is still present, arms and legs look very thin, the tummy is also far from the generally accepted ideas about the appearance of toddlers. But the head began to acquire normal proportions, gradually slowing down in growth against the background of growing faster than the rest of the body.
At the beginning of pregnancy, the head of the embryo was the largest part of the body, now it makes up only about a third of the body area, and by the time of birth it will make up only one fifth. The baby's face is now unique. It does not look like the faces of other babies, because all hereditary traits are now manifested in all its glory - big nose or snub-nosed "button", lips "bow" or wide, eye shape, chin shape, forehead height.
The profile of the baby is clearly visible on the ultrasound, and observant future parents are already beginning to guess who the baby is like.
The whole body of the baby is covered with thin light hairs - lanugo. This is how the first hair follicles begin to function. These hairs are temporary, they will fall out closer to childbirth. Sometimes babies are born with lanugo that has not completely disappeared, and the vellus hair disappears gradually over several weeks after birth. In addition to the hairline, the baby's skin is thickly covered with a cheese-like lubricant. This makes the skin more protected against exposure to the aquatic environment in which it is located.
The appearance of the crumbs is formed to the smallest detail: there are cilia and eyebrows, tiny feet grow on the fingers and toes, and there is a unique individual identification on the fingertips - the pattern that forms the fingerprint. The baby has joints, a fairly mobile neck, all the ribs are formed, and the chest has acquired clear shapes.
Internal organs
A real labor "feat" at the current gestational age is performed by a tiny heart - it pumps 23-24 liters of blood per day, fully covering the needs of the child's body for blood supply.
The baby's heartbeat is almost twice the frequency of his mom's. Heart rate is normal this week is 150-170 beats per minute... All departments are formed in the heart. Completed and the formation of all blood vessels.
The formation of the digestive system continues. Now in the intestines of the crumbs, the original feces are deposited - meconium. In fact, meconium is a dead epithelial cells that the baby can swallow along with the amniotic fluid. The rich black-green color of meconium is given by bile, which is produced by the gallbladder and partially enters the intestines.
The stomach and pancreas are functioning. The liver successfully combines two "jobs" - it participates in the process of hematopoiesis and helps the digestive organs.
The lungs and bronchi are crumbs formed, but not completely. The accumulation of surfactant has not yet begun in the lungs. Without this essential substance, the baby's alveoli will stick together when trying to breathe, and he will not be able to survive. The required amount of surfactant usually accumulates towards the end of the second trimester. The kidneys are actively working, producing urine, the baby empties the bladder about once an hour.
Despite the fact that all organs are fully formed, the baby, who will be born at 19 weeks, will not be able to survive on its own. Medicine is powerless in helping such crumbs, so the expectant mother needs to monitor her health and avoid situations that are dangerous and risky for the baby's life.
Nervous system
It is the nervous system that is currently undergoing the most intense changes. In it every minute more and more neural connections are formed and laid. The brain, in which the gray matter, the so-called cortex, is now actively growing, has already begun to establish control over the movements of the baby.
Now the baby can quite deliberately send a fist into his mouth, reach for the umbilical cord, try to grab his leg, and also knock on the wall of the uterus. It is these touches that a woman feels like movements.
Reflex skills are well developed: sucking and swallowing reflexes were among the first to develop. The kid knows how to grab, clench his fists, and also has a rudimentary instinct for self-preservation: when he feels a threat from the outside (loud sounds, a sharp change in the position of the pregnant woman's body), the baby is "frightened" and tries to shrink more compactly.
If the legs accidentally touch the walls of the uterus, the baby pushes off briskly - this reflex will later help him master vertical walking. The skin, thanks to the developed network of nerve endings, is very sensitive. The brain already receives and processes information from them.
Sense organs
The kid starts to hear from this week. And this is the main event that fundamentally changes his attitude to the world. At week 19, the formation of the auditory ossicles is completed, the vibration of which allows the structures of the auditory analyzers to catch the difference in sounds.
Until that time, the baby heard, but only the vibration created by his mother's voice, the loud sounds of the parents' alarm clock, the barking of a dog next to the expectant mother. Now a completely new world of full-fledged sounds opens up for him. He will comprehend them gradually.
Now he will begin to listen to what surrounds him: he is interested in the beating of his mother's heart, her breathing, the work of her intestines and the noise of the blood flow. Almost immediately, he will pick up the voice of his mother, since he already knows it at a vibrational level. Every day the spectrum of perceived sound information will become wider, and the baby will gradually begin to pick up various sounds from the outside.
Now more than ever it is important to talk to a child, read fairy tales to him, sing songs. By the way, the lullabies that the mother will now hum to the baby will be recognized by them immediately after birth.
The baby will begin to open his eyes in about 2 more months. In the meantime, the retina has become more sensitive, which allows the baby to distinguish light from darkness through tightly closed eyelids. The baby's eyes began to make quick movements to the right and left. The supporters of physiology say that this is due to the development of the muscular system of the organs of vision, and the supporters of metaphysics claim that the baby has already begun to dream.
The tiny little man in the mother's womb has well-developed tactile sensations, he distinguishes the nuances of the taste of amniotic fluid. If the mother eats sweets, the baby will begin to swallow amniotic fluid with great enthusiasm, if there was garlic or onions on the mother's menu, the baby will make hilarious grimaces of discontent, frown when swallowing water. Even such small children love sweets.
Determining the sex of the child
The external genitals are fully formed and are no longer in doubt. Boys look like boys and girls look like girls. Right now the most opportune moment has come to determine the sex of the baby by ultrasound. A little later, the child will be too large, he will take a compact pose, covering his intimate places with his hands and the umbilical cord. therefore sex determination in the third trimester is not considered accurate.
At the beginning of pregnancy, the genitals were almost identical, too small, and the likelihood of error was also high. Now the review is ideal in order to finally find out who to expect - a son or a daughter.
An important stage now begins in the boys' body - the testicles, which formed and grew in the abdominal cavity, begin to gradually descend, first into the small pelvis, and a little later into the scrotum. In girls, the sex glands have long taken their rightful place in the small pelvis: the ovaries, uterus, tubes - everything is where it should be.
Sex hormones are produced so far only in the body of future men. Little girls are still forced to be content with the concentration of maternal hormones that come to them with their mother's blood.
Your child is on ultrasound
The vast majority of pregnant women attend ultrasound examinations this week. It is considered mandatory, since the second prenatal screening study falls on this period. Mom will be able to see and evaluate for herself what impressive results her baby managed to achieve.
The main size, which made it possible to draw conclusions about the growth rate of the crumbs in the first trimester - the coccygeal-parietal - is no longer measured, because the baby no longer fits entirely into the visibility zone of the ultrasound scanner. CTE is not determined.
But the sizes of individual parts of the body are perfectly visible, by which doctors judge the proportionality of the baby's body and its development. These sizes are called fetometric indicators.
Normally, 19 weeks are characterized by the following values:
BPD - transverse (biparient) head size, and LZR - frontal-occipital (longitudinal). Each separately and both together serve as the main marker for the compliance of the baby's size with the gestation period. The lengths of paired bones are also an indication of the gestational age and can tell the diagnostician a lot about the development of the child. The thickness of the placenta is now in the range of 20-21 mm, the umbilical cord has a diameter of about 2 centimeters and three vessels in the cut.
Potential risks and dangers 19 weeks
The main danger this week is reduced immunity. From the very first hours after conception, the hormone progesterone suppresses it. Such immunosuppression is necessary so that the woman's immunity does not perceive the embryo as a foreign object and does not deal with it.
By 18-19 weeks of pregnancy, immunity is suppressed to a critical level. There is practically no threat of miscarriage, undeveloped pregnancy, but there is a high probability of getting sick with ARVI, flu, catching a cold, catching sore throat or bronchitis.
The consequences of a cold will no longer be as destructive for the baby as they could be in the embryonic period of his development, after all, the baby has grown stronger, his own immunity has already begun to form.
Improper treatment is a far more serious threat. That is why a woman, at the first signs of a disease: cough, runny nose, high temperature, should call a doctor and receive competent recommendations for the treatment of a particular ailment.
Women in the 18-19 obstetric week often complain of heartburn, diarrhea, or constipation. Significant difficulties with digestion are possible due to mechanical compression of the abdominal organs by the growing uterus, as well as due to a woman's violation of the principles of healthy and proper nutrition during pregnancy.
Colitis, ulcers, gastritis can worsen even when such ailments are in the anamnesis, previously a woman has already had problems with the health of the digestive organs, because pregnancy itself increases the load on all organs.
Treatment during the second trimester is often carried out with antibiotics such as Flemoxin. The potential benefits of taking such funds during this period outweigh the risks. A decrease in immunity at week 19 can cause cystitis, pyelonephritis and other problems with the urinary system. The woman's body becomes vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
When characteristic symptoms appear - frequent urination, cramps, pain in the lower abdomen, heaviness in the lower back, a woman should immediately inform her doctor about this and take urine and blood tests.
Frequent constipation and a sedentary lifestyle can cause an unpleasant and very painful disease - hemorrhoids. It affects about 40% of pregnant women at this time. This condition also requires medical advice and the appointment of medications, which, without harm to the health of the baby, can save a woman from a delicate ailment.
In general, the expectant mother should now be very careful about her well-being. The muscular walls of the uterus should normally remain relaxed, and the arrival of the uterus in tone is also a reason for an unscheduled meeting with the doctor.
Women can already determine the tone on their own - the stomach “turns to stone”, the upper border of the uterus begins to clearly show through just below the navel. A pregnant woman at 19 weeks feels the uterus almost constantly, changes in its tone cannot be missed.
Analyzes and examinations
This week, expectant mothers undergo a second prenatal screening. A blood sample for analysis, which is called the "triple test" by week 19, is usually already handed over. If this was not done 7-10 days ago, then the woman is often given a referral to the laboratory right now.
In the blood of the expectant mother, the concentration of three components is determined - hCG, free estriol and alpha-fetoprotein. Their increase or decrease in the relative norm may indirectly indicate malformations of the neural tube of the fetus, the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby - Down, Edwards, Turner syndromes and a number of other gross pathologies.
Unlike the first trimester screening, the second screening does not necessarily take place on the same day: it can take a week or more between donating blood and visiting the ultrasound office. But the data of the laboratory examination and the protocol of the ultrasound diagnostician are still assessed by a special computer program as a whole.
In addition to screening studies, at week 19, the woman who is scheduled for an appointment must pass a general urine test and a general blood test. Now is the time to check how the kidneys work, whether the sugar in the urine and blood is high, and whether the woman has anemia. Low hemoglobin at this time is detected in about 20% of pregnant women.
Recommendations for the expectant mother
Compliance with the basic recommendations depends on how easy the further pregnancy will be. Ahead is her most difficult period, the third trimester. A woman needs to gain strength, prepare for the upcoming birth in advance.
Don't forget about daily walks. They will help the woman to saturate her blood with oxygen, which means that the baby will receive more oxygen. It is good to take oxygen cocktails.
Now it is important to keep track of your weight, it is advisable to keep a diary where a woman can write down her feelings, weight, menu. This notebook will help the attending physician understand in more detail what and why is happening with the expectant mother.
Read on for answers to the most pressing questions of this week of pregnancy.
Sex
If there are no contraindications, sex at week 19 is quite possible. Orgasm has a positive effect on the blood circulation of the uterus, on the mood and emotional state of the pregnant woman. She still does not feel awkward, at week 19, libido increases, sexual sensations intensify.
Spouses should not forget about safety rules: poses should now be chosen such that there is no deep penetration, so that no mechanical pressure is exerted on the woman's tummy. For this reason, cowgirl and missionary positions are no longer appropriate.
It is better to refuse from anal sex, from the use of sex toys and lubricating gels now. This can cause significant harm to the health of the expectant mother. In general, the stomach is not yet very restrictive and embarrassing for the spouses.
If after sex a woman notices unusual discharge of a strange color or consistency, she should definitely consult a doctor.
Nutrition
The nutrition of the expectant mother should be balanced, she should receive daily proteins, slow carbohydrates and fats in an amount that covers the daily requirement. Food should be taken at least 5-6 times a day, it is better to reduce the portion size. The "measure" can be the palms of a pregnant woman - on the woman's plate there should be a portion comparable in volume to the volume of the palms, folded in a "boat".
Now it is better to give up fatty pork and lamb, fat, fatty fish. It is best to replace them with beef, rabbit, turkey and chicken. Do not eat sausage and sausages, smoked meats, spicy, salty and fried foods. Large amounts of sugar and soda won't do the trick.
Be sure to include raw vegetables and fruits in the menu at this time: fiber will help avoid constipation and hemorrhoids. For the prevention and treatment of anemia, it is recommended to eat foods rich in iron - buckwheat porridge, beef liver, blueberries and strawberries, dried mushrooms and fresh apples.
Dairy products, spinach and fresh herbs, pistachios, peanuts, as well as some varieties of sea fish will help to avoid problems with hypocalcemia and provide the baby with the necessary amount of calcium, which he now needs for bone growth. Do not forget about the required amount of drinking water - a woman should drink about one and a half liters per day.
If there is swelling, the amount of water is discussed with the doctor. The amount of salt for all pregnant women, without exception, is recommended to be reduced to 5 grams per day.
Gymnastics
You need to do gymnastics for pregnant women daily. A complex of simple and unpretentious exercises, which does not require outstanding physical data from a woman, will help prepare all muscle groups for the upcoming childbirth and facilitate the recovery process after them. Exercises associated with sharp turns of the torso, bending should be avoided - due to changes in blood pressure that are characteristic of the current stage of pregnancy, dizziness and loss of consciousness may occur.
You can also start training your pelvic muscles with a set of Kegel exercises. This will help to strengthen the vaginal walls and pelvic ligaments before the upcoming birth, and will significantly improve the quality of the sex life of both partners.
Invasive diagnostics - should you do it?
If the second screening shows alarming or questionable results, the woman is usually advised to visit a geneticist and receive a referral for invasive diagnosis. Cordocentesis or amniocentesis are very informative methods in order to get an answer to the main question - is the baby healthy.
But they are deservedly considered quite traumatic and dangerous: a puncture of the abdominal wall, with the help of which, by inserting a needle into the uterine cavity, amniotic fluid or a sample of umbilical cord blood is taken, can cause infection of the membranes, fetal death.
In order not to take risks, a woman can do a non-invasive test. Now NIPT is available at medical genetic centers, although its cost is high - several tens of thousands of rubles. This is a completely safe technique. Blood is taken from a woman from a vein, fetal blood cells are found in it, DNA is isolated and a conclusion is made that the baby has developmental abnormalities. There is an alternative.
True, if the NIPT shows that the baby is sick, you will still have to do an invasive sampling of the material, because while the DNA test on the maternal blood is not accepted as a basis for terminating a pregnancy at a later date for medical reasons, if the woman is not ready for the birth of a "special" baby.
Reviews of expectant mothers
By the shape of their abdomen in the supine position, expectant mothers have already learned to determine the location of the fetus in the uterus. At week 19, some describe that they managed to establish full contact with their baby. Putting her hand on her stomach, mom can get a light kick back from the inside. This delights pregnant women. Those who still do not feel anything but heartburn and constipation are very worried about this week, but there is no reason for grief, just everything has its time.
Now, when the gender of the baby is becoming known, many mothers begin to choose a name and slowly try to buy a dowry for the baby. There is nothing wrong with that, and it is better to throw all bad omens out of your head.
Experienced mothers know for sure that shopping before childbirth is sheer torment for the expectant mother, shopping after childbirth is torment for the young father, because he will have to do this, and it is not at all a fact that a man will buy everything that is necessary and suitable. Now is the perfect time to go shopping: it’s not hard yet, not burdensome, and it’s quite possible to take advantage of it.
About what happens to the fetus and the expectant mother at the 19th week of pregnancy, see the next video.
