Week 19

Carola Felchner is a freelance writer in the medical department and a certified training and nutrition advisor. She worked for various specialist magazines and online portals before becoming a freelance journalist in 2015. Before starting her internship, she studied translation and interpreting in Kempten and Munich.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

The second major preventive medical check-up is due from the 19th week of pregnancy. Be curious: your child has made impressive progress since the first time. As a mum-to-be, another wave of hormones spills over you in the 19th week of pregnancy, which generally makes you feel good (with little niggles). Read more about the 19th week of pregnancy - from Kindspech to nasal congestion to back pain.

19th week of pregnancy: This is how your baby is developing

In your baby's chest (19th week of pregnancy) his / her little heart beats about twice as fast as yours. Every day, with this drum roll, it pumps around 28 liters of blood through the small body and supplies it with oxygen and nutrients. The heart is already fully developed by 19 weeks of pregnancy, but its two chambers and two atria are not yet separated from each other. Only after birth do the heart septum close completely when your child breathes independently.

The tiny intestine also begins its work around the 19th week of pregnancy. It collects metabolic waste products, which are excreted after birth as so-called child pecking - baby's first bowel movement.

19th week of pregnancy ultrasound: That can be seen

Your child weighs around 200 grams and measures around 13.5 centimeters from the top of the head to the bottom at the 19th week of pregnancy. If twins are on the way, they already have a tight stomach.

Your gynecologist will carry out the second major preventive check-up between the 19th and 22nd week of pregnancy. An ultrasound is also on the agenda again. You will be amazed how much your child has developed since the first trimester exam! You will see its snub nose, its small mouth, it will perhaps wave its arms and demonstrate its flexibility.

The gynecologist still has some exciting news for you in the 19th week of pregnancy: The baby's gender can now be determined (fairly reliably). You don't even want to know what it will be? Your gynecologist will usually ask you beforehand if he should tell you the gender. You can of course also point out to him in advance that you would like to be surprised at the birth!

19th week of pregnancy: That will change for you

Clearly visible in the 19th week of pregnancy - abdomen and abdominal bulge. They are becoming more and more pronounced. You may also feel like you are climbing a new level at this point in your pregnancy (19th week). This is because other pregnancy hormones, such as estrogen, are released.

The pregnancy hormones soften connective tissue, ligaments and joints. This increases the risk of injury. You should therefore avoid sports in which you jump or stop abruptly (tennis, squash, etc.).

Otherwise, women in the 19th week usually feel good and healthy - despite a few minor complaints. Some women get dry skin. Maybe you also have a stuffy nose? This is a completely normal symptom around the 19th week of pregnancy. Around a quarter of expectant mothers are affected. Usually the stuffy nose can be cured with nasal sprays (saline solution).

If you already have back pain or are prone to it, it is worth purchasing a pregnancy belt in the 19th week of pregnancy. It relieves the back, but also the growing belly. Models with Velcro fasteners, which can be easily adjusted, are practical. You can get them in specialist shops or on the Internet.

19th week of pregnancy: That is important now

In the 19th week of gestation, you will only have halfway through your pregnancy, but your body may start to go into labor at some point. After all, he must master the mechanism perfectly by the time he is born. During practice contractions, it pinches like you have an abdominal pain. As long as the stomach contracts for a maximum of 45 seconds and no more than three times an hour, everything is fine, your baby is usually fine. To be on the safe side, however, have your gynecologist check whether there is a need for treatment.

Midwife tip

The baby in your tummy is growing and thriving. This is great, but it also means that you are always dragging more and more extra weight around with you. Back pain is often a problem during pregnancy, especially for those with a history of stress. Gentle methods such as cranio-sacral therapy, in which a therapist feels and relieves blockages, or acupuncture can help alleviate the pain, even in the 19th week of pregnancy, if it is already occurring. After the birth, you will automatically receive back training: When carrying the child. Your back will be strengthened and the muscles built up.