How Does a Baby Look at 19 Weeks

With 19 weeks down, you're entering pregnancy month 5.

Get ready for some exciting pregnancy milestones, like feeling baby's first kicks if you haven't already and the 20-week ultrasound, or anatomy scan, where you'll get to meet your baby up close.

Your Baby at Week 19

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At half a pound and six inches long, your baby is about the size of a juicy mango. And that's pretty sweet!

On the development docket this week: a total baby body wrap. Your little one gets a head-to-toe coating of vernix caseosa, a white cheesy-looking substance made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from his glands, and dead skin cells. Maybe not a recipe for your favorite spa treatment, but just the right one for your fetus.

This waterproof mixture protects your baby's skin from his 24/7 bath — the amniotic fluid — and lubricates the birth canal. Without it, baby would look positively prune-y at birth and would have a much tougher time getting out the door. Don't be surprised if you see vernix remnants on your newborn right after delivery, especially if he makes an early debut.

On the looks side, your baby's monkey-like appearance of yester-week is yesterday's news now that his legs have gone through a growth spurt and are finally in proportion to his arms. Those longer legs, coupled with the strengthening of cartilage into bone, will make your little one's kicks and jabs more powerful.

Add to that the newly-formed neurons that are sending better commanding messages from the brain to the muscles and you've got a formula for stronger, meaner, and more controlled movements, allowing your acrobat to take his body for some serious test-drives — and for you to start feeling them. In the coming weeks you'll experience plenty of flutters, kicks, jabs, twists, stretches, and punches. And no matter when you begin feeling them or what they feel like, all your baby's movements are bound to be moving.

At a Glance

Skin coating

Your baby's sensitive skin is now covered in vernix caseosa, a greasy, white, cheese-like coating that protects his skin from being wrinkled at birth.

Just breathe

Your baby's lungs are developing, with the main airways (called bronchioles) beginning to form this week.

Feel that kick?

You may be able to feel baby move for the first time this week, but don't panic if you don't. You will soon!

19 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 19 weeks pregnant, you're in month 5 of your pregnancy. Only 4 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 19 weeks?

Six inches long this week and just over a half pound in weight, your baby has gone through a bit of a growth spurt.

Vernix develops

Your little one may have a cheesy varnish this week.

Say what? You read that right — a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for "varnish"; caseosa means "cheese") now covers your fetus' skin. It's greasy, white and made up of that downy hair known as lanugo, oil from your baby's glands and dead skin cells.

This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appealing, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, he'd look very wrinkled at birth — sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months.

The vernix sheds as delivery approaches, though some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with it at birth, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.

Your Body at Week 19

19 weeks pregnant woman

Leg cramps

There's nothing like getting into bed at the end of a long, exhausting day — especially when you're pregnant. Aching for a good night's sleep — literally, if your back's been acting up again — you throw back the covers and prepare to happily drift into dreamland.

But if you're like many expecting moms, something may be keeping you awake tonight — besides what color to paint the nursery: leg cramps.

These painful spasms that radiate up and down your calves are very common during the second and third trimester. While these cramps can occur during the day, you'll notice them — oh, baby, will you notice them! — more at night.

No one knows for sure what causes them, though there are plausible theories aplenty. It could be that your leg muscles are just fatigued from carrying around all the extra weight of pregnancy. Or that the vessels that carry blood to and from your legs are compressed by your growing uterus at 19 weeks pregnant.

There's also speculation that it may be somehow related to diet or not being fully hydrated, though this hunch hasn't been substantiated by studies.

Whatever the cause, you'll need a quick fix when a leg cramp does strike — especially when it's standing (or lying) between you and a good night's sleep. So here's one for you: Straighten your leg and gently flex your ankle and toes back toward your shins.

Feeling baby's kicks

Your sister said baby kicked by this point in pregnancy — and so did your best friend — but so far, you haven't felt a thing. Except those gas bubbles this morning … those were gas, weren't they?

Maybe, maybe not. Those first tiny kicks can be felt many different ways — generally starting between week 18 and week 22, though it can be a week or two later if this is your first pregnancy.

Sometimes you might feel like something is swimming inside you (which it is!), while other times those first fetal movements may feel more like bufferflies in your tummy.

Once your baby grows bigger, you'll be able to easily tell what those little kicks feel like, so there won't be any mistaking them for something else. Learn more about fetal movement during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 19

Increased appetite

Having a hard time staying away from the fridge (and cupboards and pantry)? Keep tempting junk foods out of the house and instead fill your kitchen with nutritious goodies — but do occasionally allow yourself to indulge in some treats so that you don't end up bingeing on them later on. Read More

Stretch marks

It's estimated that about 90 percent of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, so you're not alone. While there is no proven cure, moisturizers such as cocoa butter can help ease the dryness and itching associated with stretched skin. Read More

Constipation

If you can't seem to get regular, take a look at your supplements and medications: Some of them, such as iron, can make constipation worse. Ask your practitioner to help you come up with some alternatives until your digestive system gets back on track. Read More

Faintness or dizziness

Your growing uterus may put pressure on your blood vessels — among other parts of your body — reducing blood flow to your brain and causing you to feel light-headed. Even though dizziness is common, don't ignore it — take it easy and sit or lie down as soon as you start to feel woozy so that you don't hurt yourself or the baby. Read More

Backaches

As your uterus grows, you may find your center of gravity shifting forward, putting extra pressure on your lower back. Avoid straining your back further by letting others lift heavy loads for you. If you absolutely must lift something, stabilize yourself by assuming a wide stance, bend at the knees, not at the waist, and slowly lift with your arms and legs, not your back. Read More

Stuffy nose

Is the swelling in your nasal passages making it hard for you to breathe? Here's how to blow your nose without damaging nasal membranes and causing a nosebleed: Use your thumb to close one nostril and blow gently out the other side. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Ask about yeast infections

With so much going on down there already, the last thing you need is an itchy yeast infection when you're pregnant. Unfortunately, you're especially likely to get them during pregnancy, thanks in part to higher estrogen levels that cause an overgrowth of yeast.

Another downside: Yeast infections are harder to control during this time. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment.

Consider support hose

If you're struggling with edema, or swelling, you might find it useful to invest in a pair of support hose. Full pantyhose (with extra tummy room) or knee- or thigh-highs that aren't tight on top are good choices. Put them on in the morning before the daily swelling starts so they can do their job more effectively.

Also helpful for edema, as well as for leg and back pain during pregnancy: a comfortable pair of shoes.

Rethink 3D ultrasounds

It's tempting to book an appointment for a 3D or 4D sonogram at your local prenatal portrait center, especially if you've seen those stunning in-utero baby photos and videos online.

But even though there is no reliable scientific evidence showing that ultrasounds are harmful to a developing fetus, the potential risks of the technology are unclear. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that ultrasounds should only be performed by qualified medical professionals — and for medical reasons. So steer clear of the elective ones for now, no matter how tempting they look.

Increase your fiber intake — gradually

Eating a healthy amount of fiber can help you go when you have to go. The downside: Adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can trigger bloating, cramping and gas (and let's face it, you probably already have enough of that).

If you're trying to fit in more fiber than ever, increase your intake slowly and gently — for example, a sprinkle of chia seeds in your breakfast cereal or a snack of trail mix in the afternoon — so that your body has time to adjust to its new normal.

Plump up your pillows

You may not have snored in the past, but now that you're pregnant, you can't seem to get a good night's sleep.

Usually, snoring during pregnancy is more annoying than serious (it's usually caused by an uptick in nasal congestion, which can start around week 16), but occasionally, it can be caused by a chronic condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Ask your health care provider about it and get tips on what to do for relief.

Make a sandwich

Wraps, paninis, double-deckers — no matter what type of sandwich you crave, make it a healthy one, with lean protein, fiber and whole grains. Fill it to bursting with greens so you optimize your lunch.

Just forgo any sprouts as they can harbor bacteria, and skip traditional lunch meats, which contain nitrates and nitrites, for more creative solutions.

Keep things moving

Eight to 10 full glasses of fluids — water, vegetable or fruit juice, broth — each day will help keep solids moving through your digestive tract at an impressive rate and keep your stool soft and easier to pass.

Prune juice is tops in the category since it's a mild laxative. Try to drink some when you're really clogged, and if you have trouble taking it straight, blend it with other fruits and juices into a smoothie.

Another time-honored way to get things moving: Turn to warm liquids including that health-spa staple, hot water and lemon. They'll help stimulate peristalsis, those intestinal contractions that help you go.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.

WhatToExpect.com, 3D and 4D Ultrasound During Pregnancy: Baby's First Photos, April 2019.

WhatToExpect.com, What Sunscreen Is Safe During Pregnancy?, May 2020.

WhatToExpect.com, Edema (Swelling of the Ankles and Feet) During Pregnancy, October 2020.

WhatToExpect.com, Yeast Infections During Pregnancy, June 2021.

WhatToExpect.com, Pregnancy Nutrition Chart: 33 Essential Nutrients for Pregnant Women, June 2020.

WhatToExpect.com, Snoring During Pregnancy, March 2021.

WhatToExpect.com, Ultrasound During Pregnancy, April 2021.

WhatToExpect.com, How Much Water Should You Drink During Pregnancy?, December 2020.

WhatToExpect.com, What to Eat for Lunch During Pregnancy, March 2021.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ultrasound Exams, June 2020.

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KidsHealth From Nemours, How Can I Relieve My Pregnancy Leg Cramps?, April 2015.

Mayo Clinic, What Causes Leg Cramps During Pregnancy and Can They Be Prevented?, April 2021.

Science Direct, Vernix Caseosa: Formation and Functions, December 2014.

National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, How the Lungs Work, October 2020.

National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, Evaluation of Various Therapeutic Measures in Striae Rubra, April-June 2016

National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Unraveling the Mystery of Vernix Caseosa, 2008.

Columbia University, Lung Development, 2004.

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