Your Baby in week 19
Your Baby in week 19:
Your baby is now covered with a white,
waxy substance called vernix caseosa, which
helps prevent delicate skin from becoming
chapped or scratched. Premature babies may
be covered in this cheesy coating at delivery.
Your baby is still tiny, but this week
brings the development of brown fat,
which will help keep your baby warm
after birth. During the last trimester,
your baby will add more layers of fat
for warmth and protection.
What's going on with You:
Your constant concern for your baby's
health may give way to reassurance if
you feel your baby's first movements,
which often happens between weeks 18 and 20.
These first movements are known as
quickening, and they may feel like
butterflies in your stomach or a
growling stomach. Later in your pregnancy,
you'll feel kicks, punches, and possibly
hiccups! Each baby has different
movement patterns, but if you're
concerned or if the movements have
decreased in frequency or intensity,
talk to your doctor.
Many women wonder around this time whether
having sex will hurt their developing baby,
and the answer is no. Sex is considered
safe at all stages of pregnancy, as long
as your pregnancy is normal. But that doesn't
necessarily mean you're going to want to
have it. Many expectant women find that their
desire for sex fluctuates during the
various stages of pregnancy, depending on
their fatigue, growing size, anxiousness
over the birth, and a host of other body
changes. Keep the lines of communication
with your partner open as these issues
come up. Even though you may both be
preoccupied with the baby, it's also
important to have some "together time."
next week 20
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