Your Pregnancy Week 19
Baby
Your baby is now around the size of a large tomato. She is approximately 6 inches long and weighs almost 8 1/2 ounces now!
This is a very important time in terms of sensory development. Inside your baby’s brain, certain areas are being specialized for smell, touch, taste, hearing and vision.
Another big development in the last week, hair may finally be sprouting from his scalp.
By 19 weeks, the uterus is developed in the female and the testes and penis are easily identifiable in males. It may also be time for your ultrasound, so if you don't wish to know the sex of your baby, be sure to make it clear to the ultrasound technician to avoid any unwanted information!
Mom
How are you feeling? At this point, people can probably tell that you are pregnant. It's important to remember that as your body grows and makes room for your little one, you are also producing much more blood for the both of you to use. This lowers your blood pressure and standing up quickly may cause some dizziness or make you feel lightheaded. This is called postural hypotension, yet another way your body reminds you to take it slower!
Other causes of dizziness – Your uterus can also place pressure on two large vessels that supply blood to your body; the aorta and the vena cava. When these vessels are compressed under the pressure of your growing uterus, it slows the circulation of blood throughout your body and can cause hypotension.
Feeling Dizzy? Lay on your side! Typically, you can relieve these symptoms by lying on your side, not your back. And it doesn’t matter which side. Either side that you lay on will relieve the pressure on those large vessels and increase the blood flow back to your heart. You should be feeling better soon.
