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Pregnancy Week By Week
Week 19 and Week 20
Week 19
Baby: Your baby measures about 5.2 to 6 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces. Skin is developing and transparent, appearing red because blood vessels are visible through it. Creamy white protective coating, called vernix, begins to develop.
Mother: As your baby continues to grow, you may be feeling some mid-pregnancy aches and pains by now -- lower abdominal achiness, dizziness, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, mild swelling of ankles and feet, and a backache. Dilated blood vessels might cause tiny, temporary red marks (called spider nevi) on your face, shoulders and arms.
Dad: Feel like you're headed into uncharted territory? It's perfectly normal to have anxiety about pregnancy, birth, and fatherhood--especially if you're a first time dad. This would be a stellar time to talk to someone who's been there before: your father. He's experienced this whole pregnancy and birth thing and likely felt the same way you're feeling right now. You could also talk to other male family members or friends to get some helpful advice and insight.
Do's and Don'ts: Don't indulge in very hot baths right now. Hot tubs aren't so hot for pregnant women; the intense heat can hurt your developing baby. If you long for a warm bath to ease your aches and pains, a ten-minute dip in warm water (98 degrees or lower) won't harm you.
Exercise: If your back is starting to complain, try this easy stretch: Sit in a chair or on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Slowly drop your head toward your knees, and reach for your toes with your fingertips as far as they will comfortably go. Straighten up slowly. Someday soon, you'll repeat this process--not for the stretch but to reach for pieces of far-flung aloo tikki.
Tips for this week:Take care not to get overtired since rapid growth of the baby can compound the burden on your heart, lungs and kidneys.
Week 20
Baby: The fetus measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 9 ounces. Your baby can hear sounds by now -- your voice, heart and your stomach growling, as well as sounds outside your body. It will cover its ears with its hands if a loud sound is made near you, and it may even become startled and "jump." The baby is moving often, too -- twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking.
Mother: Congratulations! You're at about the midpoint of your pregnancy. Your uterus is just about even with your navel. Your waistline has pretty much disappeared, but only temporarily! The risk of bladder infections increases because the smooth muscles in the urinary tract relax. Your breathing will become deeper and you may perspire more than usual from a more active thyroid gland.
Dad: Ready for the greatest pregnancy tip for dads ever?
Have mom write down a list of 5 things that she would prefer not to do during pregnancy (like wash dishes, lift heavy items, vaccuum, etc.) Take over these tasks. Put the list up on the refrigerator to remind you.
Do's and Don'ts: Do splurge on the occasional salon manicure when you feel the need for pampering. Pregnancy can cause your nails to grow faster, making it a hassle to keep up with constant retouching. Choose lighter, more natural hues that won't show chipping or opt for low-maintenance nails, shaping them with a file and polishing them with a buffer.
Exercise: Power up for a workout by eating a light snack--a piece of fruit or a handful of crackers will do--an hour beforehand. If you don't consume enough calories, you'll feel lethargic, light-headed, and weak, and you may end up skipping your workout altogether.
Tips for this week:To alleviate backaches, maintain good posture. Sit with a footstool or use an ergonomic chair at the office, avoid standing for too long, sleep with a small pillow under your side at the waist, and lift things with your legs instead of your back.
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