19Th week baby weight
19 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy
When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!
- 1st trimester
- 2nd trimester
- 3rd trimester
Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From staying fit in pregnancy to advice on your maternity rights, you'll find it all here.
- Week 13
- Week 14
- Week 15
- Week 16
- Week 17
- Week 18
- Week 19
- Week 20
- Week 21
- Week 22
- Week 23
- Week 24
- Week 25
- Week 26
- Week 27
What's happening in my body?
You might think that bubbling feeling in your tummy is wind, but it could be your baby moving. You'll soon be able to recognise their movements.
It's great for you and baby to stay active, but some exercises, such as running, could become uncomfortable. This is because the hormone "relaxin" loosens up your ligaments, leaving your back, knees and ankles without their usual support.
Tips for better sleep
Not getting enough sleep in pregnancy can be very frustrating, you could try these tips for better sleep:
- practise beditation – a mixture of meditation and gentle stretches designed to help you drift off
- sleep on your side
- use pillows to support your bump and any aching muscles
- try sleeping with a pillow between your knees
The NHS website has remedies for sleep problems during pregnancy.
2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 19 weeks)
Are you worried about anything? Trust your instincts and share any worries with your health professional. Watch a video from Tommy's about how to speak up in pregnancy.
Your signs of pregnancy this week could include:
- tiredness and sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
- stretch marks (see week 17 for information about stretch marks)
- swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
- pains on the side of your pregnant belly, caused by your expanding womb (known as "round ligament pains")
- headaches
- nosebleeds
- bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
- indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
- sore breasts
- leg cramps
- feeling hot
- dizziness
- swollen hands and feet
- urine infections
- vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
- darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
- greasier, spotty skin
- thicker and shinier hair
You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:
- morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
- weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
- a heightened sense of smell
- mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
- a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)
What does my baby look like?
Your baby, or foetus, is around 15.
3cm long from head to bottom, and weighs around 240g. That's approximately the size of a beef tomato and weight of 2 salmon fillets.
Their adult teeth are starting to grow, and they are lining up behind the first set. Your baby's putting on weight, getting ready for the birth in about 21 weeks' time.
Action stations
You might still be thinking about where to give birth. There's plenty of time to think it over. Find out your local options for maternity services.
Read about your options on where to give birth. It's important to find somewhere that meets your needs and makes you feel supported.
You do not have to tell your employer for several more weeks, but as soon as you do, you will have maternity rights. You can attend antenatal appointments during paid work time.
You can also ask for a risk assessment of your work place. If you want to wait, the latest you can leave it is 15 weeks before the baby is due, which is around week 25.
It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles.
Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stopping midflow. Visit Tommy's for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.
Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.
Even if you've had children before, they're still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.
Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.
You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.
It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
There's no need to eat for 2. You don't need any extra calories until the third trimester, which starts in week 28. Try to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.
You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):
To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:
Go back to week 18
Go to week 20
Fetus size by week: Your baby's weight throughout pregnancy
Find out how big your baby is during each week of their development with our fetal growth chart.
From early in pregnancy, babies grow at different rates, so your baby's actual size by week may vary substantially – but look how they grow! At 20 weeks your baby may be just over 10 inches long and weigh less than 12 ounces, but by 32 weeks they'll reach almost 17 inches and top 4 pounds. At 33 weeks they may be over 17 inches and closer to 5 pounds, and by 37 weeks they'll reach 19 inches and about 6.5 pounds.
How do you determine fetus size by week?
There are different methods for estimating how big a fetus is, which is why you'll find different numbers depending on the source.
Experts have formulas they use to come up with the estimated fetal weight (EFW) and height of a fetus, and the formulas aren't always the same. The measurements that are used in equations to estimate weight usually include biparietal (head) diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur (thigh bone) length (FL).
Height is a straightforward measurement, but the method of measuring it changes after the first trimester.
For the first 13 weeks, the height measurement is taken from the top of the head to the baby's bottom. After the first 13 weeks, the measurement is taken from the top of the head to the baby's heel – explaining why, on the chart below, your baby appears to grow 3 inches from week 13 to week 14!
Hadlock, the main source we use in our fetal growth chart, provides one of the most commonly used – and most accurate – equations for estimating fetal height and weight. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine (SMFM) use Hadlock's figures to diagnose and manage fetal growth conditions, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
The numbers on our chart should coincide with the numbers your healthcare provider will be checking against when they measure your baby using ultrasound. (Providers don't measure height after 13 weeks, however, so don't expect to get those numbers at your ultrasound appointments.)
Note that the data used by Hadlock was gathered from middle-class Caucasian women with no history of maternal diseases known to affect fetal growth and no evidence of congenital anomalies.
Your provider may make adjustments based on your individual circumstances.
Fetal growth chart
Wondering how big your baby is during each week of pregnancy? The numbers in our chart below can give you a sense of your baby's size. Keep in mind that your baby may be much smaller or larger than these averages. That's okay – after all, healthy babies can weigh less than 5 pounds or more than 9 pounds at birth.
Boy's measurements are different than girl's measurements, even this early. For the numbers on our chart, we've taken an average of boys and girls. And remember, the height measurements up to 13 weeks are head-to-bottom estimates, while the height measurements starting at week 14 are head-to-toe estimates.
| Gestational age | Length (US) | Weight (US) | Length (cm) | Mass (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (head to bottom) | (head to bottom) | |||
| 8 weeks | 0. 62 inches | 0.71 ounces | 1.57 cm | 20 grams |
| 9 weeks | 0.91 inches | 0.95 ounces | 2.30 cm | 27 grams |
| 10 weeks | 1.22 inch | 1.23 ounces | 3.1 cm | 35 grams |
| 11 weeks | 1.61 inch | 1.59 ounces | 4.1 cm | 45 grams |
| 12 weeks | 2.13 inches | 2.05 ounces | 5.4 cm | 58 grams |
| 13 weeks | 2.64 inches | 2.58 ounces | 6.7 cm | 73 grams |
| (head to toe) | (head to toe) | |||
| 14 weeks | 5.79 inches | (head to toe)3.28 ounces | 14.7cm | 93 grams |
| 15 weeks | 6.57 inches | 4.13 ounces | 16.7 cm | 117 grams |
| 16 weeks | 7. 32 inches | 5.15 ounces | 18.6 cm | 146 grams |
| 17 weeks | 8.03 inches | 6.38 ounces | 20.4 cm | 181 grams |
| 18 weeks | 8.74 inches | 7.87 ounces | 22.2 cm | 223 grams |
| 19 weeks | 9.45 inches | 9.63 ounces | 24.0 cm | 273 grams |
| 20 weeks | 10.12 inches | 11.68 ounces | 25.7 cm | 331 grams |
| 21 weeks | 10.79 inches | 14.07 ounces | 27.4 cm | 399 grams |
| 22 weeks | 11.42 inches | 1.05 pounds | 29.0 cm | 478 grams |
| 23 weeks | 12.05 inches | 1.25 pounds | 30.6 cm | 568 grams |
| 24 weeks | 12.68 inches | 1.48 pounds | 32.2 cm | 670 grams |
| 25 weeks | 13. 27 inches | 1.73 pounds | 33.7 cm | 785 grams |
| 26 weeks | 13.82 inches | 2.01 pounds | 35.1 cm | 913 grams |
| 27 weeks | 14.41 inches | 2.33 pounds | 36.6 cm | 1055 grams |
| 28 weeks | 14.80 inches | 2.67 pounds | 37.6 cm | 1210 grams |
| 29 weeks | 15.47 inches | 3.04 pounds | 39.3 cm | 1379 grams |
| 30 weeks | 15.95 inches | 3.44 pounds | 40.5 cm | 1559 grams |
| 31 weeks | 16.46 inches | 3.86 pounds | 41.8 cm | 1751 grams |
| 32 weeks | 16.93 inches | 4.30 pounds | 43.0 cm | 1953 grams |
| 33 weeks | 17.36 inches | 4.77 pounds | 44.1 cm | 2162 grams |
| 34 weeks | 17. 84 inches | 5.24 pounds | 45.3 cm | 2377 grams |
| 35 weeks | 18.23 inches | 5.72 pounds | 46.3 cm | 2595 grams |
| 36 weeks | 18.62 inches | 6.20 pounds | 47.3 cm | 2813 grams |
| 37 weeks | 19.02 inches | 6.68 pounds | 48.3 cm | 3028 grams |
| 38 weeks | 19.41 inches | 7.13 pounds | 49.3 cm | 3236 grams |
| 39 weeks | 19.72 inches | 7.57 pounds | 50.1 cm | 3435 grams |
| 40 weeks | 20.08 inches | 7.98 pounds | 51.0 cm | 3619 grams |
| 41 weeks | 20.39 inches | 8.35 pounds | 51.8 cm | 3787 grams |
Thanks to Dr. Mark Curran, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, for his help preparing this chart.
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Fetal weight by week: How it changes
Your baby steadily gains weight over the course of your pregnancy, but it's not always at the same rate. If you're having one baby (not twins or multiples), your baby's rate of growth accelerates until 35 weeks, then decelerates.
Here are some highlights, based on estimations:
- Up until 16 weeks, a fetus grows an average of about 19 grams per week, gradually increasing from 7 grams per week at 8 weeks to 15 grams per week at 12 weeks and 29 grams per week at 16 weeks.
- By 20 weeks, a fetus is gaining about 59 grams per week (just over 2 ounces).
- By 30 weeks, a fetus is gaining about 175 grams each week (more than 6 ounces).
- At 35 weeks, a fetus is gaining about 215 grams each week, or about 7.5 ounces. At this point their growth rate peaks.
- After 35 weeks, growth slows to about 188 grams per week, or 6.6 ounces. (Twins slow earlier, at around 28 weeks, and then average about 170 grams each week.
) - In the last few weeks of pregnancy, the growth rate continues to gradually slow to about 168 grams (a little less than 6 ounces) per week by week 40.
Using a tape measure stretched over your belly, your provider will use a fundal height measurement to check your baby's size at your prenatal visits. Beginning at about 24 weeks, the measurement in centimeters should roughly match the gestational age of your baby. If you're 26 weeks pregnant, for example, your fundal height should be about 26 cm, give or take a centimeter in each direction.
If your provider is concerned that your baby is too small, they'll monitor your baby's size with ultrasound, which is more accurate. Using ultrasound, your practitioner can take various measurements (head circumference and diameter, abdomen circumference, femur length) and use them to estimate your baby's size. They may also use a Doppler ultrasound to look at the blood flow to your placenta.
If your baby's estimated weight is less than the 10th percentile for their gestational age, they may be diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also called fetal growth restriction (FGR).
IUGR can happen at any time during pregnancy. Some babies with IUGR just turn out to be small for their age, but sometimes there's a problem that's preventing the baby from growing properly.
At birth, a baby with IUGR is called "small for gestational age." While most SGA babies who are otherwise healthy grow just fine, some (especially those born prematurely) are at higher risk of problems such as c-section, jaundice, low blood sugar, and even long-term developmental and health problems.
Your baby's size by week
Here are some highlights of your baby's growth during pregnancy:
At 20 weeks, about the midpoint in your pregnancy, your baby is transmitting taste signals to their brain. And you may feel them hiccupping. Your baby's weight at 20 weeks is about 11.68 ounces, and they're about the length of a (10.12-inch) banana.
At 32 weeks, your baby's lungs are developing fast, and your baby's storing minerals like iron for their first 6 months of life. Your baby's weight at 32 weeks is 4.
30 pounds, and their length is 16.93 inches, about the size of a jicama.
At 33 weeks, things are getting snug in there! Your baby's skin is becoming less wrinkled as they fill in – your baby's weight at 33 weeks is about 4.77 pounds. At 17.36 inches, your baby is now about the size of a pineapple.
At 37 weeks, your baby's brain and lungs are still maturing, and they're still moving a lot, despite the close quarters. Your baby's weight at 37 weeks is about 6.68 pounds, and they're about the length of a bunch of Swiss chard, 19.02 inches.
Once your baby is born, they'll be weighed and measured, and your provider will continue to monitor their growth. While the average newborn weight is a little over 7 pounds, most newborns lose about 5 to 10 percent of their weight in the first days. No worries – they gain it back by the time they're about 2 weeks old, and by 4 months they usually double their birth weight.
Learn more:
- To-do lists for the first, second, and third trimesters
- Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
- Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator
- How to understand pregnancy weeks, months, and trimesters
17-20 weeks of pregnancy
17th week
Baby
The 17th week of pregnancy is marked for the baby by an active increase in the mass of his muscles, their gradual strengthening, which allows him to move in the tummy more intensively and variously.
Quite frequent movements of the limbs help the child train the muscles, as well as develop the joints of the knees and elbows. At this time, the handles are still clenched into fists, rarely unclenched, and only in order to capture the umbilical cord or suck a finger. Up to 17 weeks, the head of the fetus was practically motionless, rather low, and the chin was close to the chest. Strengthening the muscles of the dorsal and cervical region at this time allows the child to raise his head almost to a vertical position.
Internal organs continue to develop and improve. Their structure only becomes more complex, which contributes to the expansion of functionality. Their preparation will allow after the birth of the baby to begin normal, full-fledged functioning.
It is important to note the changes that occur in the system of blood vessels and heart of the fetus. The nerve plexuses that surround the heart give rise to the formation of the conduction system; its uniqueness lies in the fact that the heart does not need external signals to work.
All internal organs of a person obey the central nervous system. The brain sends certain instructions according to which each of the organs works. The heart, in turn, functions with the help of command signals that arise in itself and cause it to contract. The exceptionally autonomous mode of operation of the heart allows it not to depend on the level of activity of the central nervous system throughout a person's life.
The 17th week of pregnancy is also characterized by the formation of the respiratory system, namely, the strengthening of the muscles of the lungs. Active respiratory contractions resemble inhalation and exhalation and thereby strengthen the muscles of the chest. There is also the formation of the alveolar apparatus of the lungs. Alveoli are presented in the human body in the form of small bubbles that are located on the surface of the respiratory apparatus and are responsible for gas exchange. Each breath contributes to the saturation of the blood with oxygen.
At the 17th week, the alveoli are in a compressed state, but immediately after birth with the first breath, they will straighten out and be ready for normal functioning.
The weight of the fetus at this time is about 150 g, and the length of the body is 12-13 cm. Normal weight gain for a given week is 5 kg. Also, the 17th week of pregnancy is characterized by an increase in the total blood volume of the expectant mother, because her fetus needs intensive nutrition. You can also note a rapid heartbeat due to the passage of a large amount of blood through the heart. Additional contractions of the heart or tachycardia may not be felt at all by the pregnant woman, or cause her discomfort. In the case of an active manifestation of tachycardia, it is necessary to seek help and advice from your gynecologist or cardiologist, who can determine the symptoms of a pregnant woman's heart disease, as well as prescribe the correct treatment to maintain normal well-being.
A sharp increase in the volume of blood in the habitual circulation can cause an expectant mother to have an increased level of bleeding gums, as well as nosebleeds.
An increased load on the capillaries often leads to a failure in their work. Especially vulnerable are the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Properly selected vitamin complexes will correct this situation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels. In addition, doctors recommend using a soft toothbrush for hygiene purposes, which will reduce the risk of bleeding gums. It is also recommended to wash the nasal passages with solutions such as AQUAMARIS, PHYSIOMER, SALIN. If desired, you can prepare a similar solution at home. To do this, you will need 1 teaspoon of salt and a glass of water. All ingredients should be mixed before use. If these simple recommendations are ineffective and bleeding becomes more frequent, you should seek the help of a specialist.
18th week
Baby
At the 18th week the baby weighs about 200-250 g, and its length is about 20 cm. During this period, the structure of the brain becomes more complex, and its total mass, nerve fibers increase covered with myelin, a special fatty membrane that promotes accelerated conduction of nerve impulses.
Already after the birth of the child, this shell will allow the child to respond to stimuli from the outside.
The appearance of the fetus is already a bit like a newborn baby and is actively approaching this state. Facial features are becoming more and more distinct, the ears that were previously tightly pressed to the head are straightening out, the middle ear is being formed, and its perception is also improving. At this stage of pregnancy, the baby can already perceive stimuli from the outside, respond to all sorts of sounds. The noises that occur in the mother's body due to the active work of the internal organs are quite normal, familiar to him, and also contribute to the training of auditory perception.
It is impossible not to note the intensive work of the fetal endocrine system. At 18-19 weeks, the release of "baby" hormones is large enough, which allows even the mother's body to provide them. With a lack of own hormones in the body of a woman, they are compensated at the expense of children, and the mother's condition returns to normal.
Expectant mother
This week, some of the mothers feel the first movements of their baby. Most often, women for whom this is the first child can feel fetal movements at 19-20th week. At earlier periods, namely, at 16-18 weeks, those women who already have their own children, as well as quite thin women with a slight layer of fat under the skin, note the movement.
At the first stages, the movements will be rather weak, brief and episodic, but after a short period of time they will become more distinct and become more frequent. The nature of the shocks can be different:
- touches;
- light shocks;
- twitches;
- rolling.
For a woman, her baby's first kicks are very much expected. This is an exciting moment that will allow the expectant mother to remember these pleasant sensations with trepidation, and also as proof of her connection with the child. At the 18th week, the movements of the child are quite chaotic, varied and appear during the wakefulness of the baby.
With emotional stress, they can become more intense. Also, the child may report an insufficient amount of oxygen, which occurs due to the lack of movement of a woman, insufficient time spent on the street, as well as when staying in the same position for a long time (driving a vehicle, at work). Most of the time at this stage of development, the fetus sleeps.
19th week
Baby
The 19th week is characterized for the fetus by intensive growth of limbs in length, increase in size, slowing down of head growth. Its length is already 25 cm, and its weight is approximately 250-300 g. The child changes greatly in appearance, his body no longer looks disproportionate.
Fat under the skin allows the relief of the torso to change slightly and round. This brown fat is just laid down for a period of 19-20 weeks. After birth, it is he who will perform the function of thermoregulation and protect the child from hypothermia or overheating. With age, this fat disappears and remains only in certain places: in the thickness of a person’s cheeks, in the kidney area, under the armpits, and shoulder blades.
At this time, the laying of permanent teeth, which are located in the dental plate under the rudiments of milk teeth, and the maturation of the brain also take place. Special processes allow you to establish connections between neurons. Cells intertwine with each other and create a whole system for the transmission of impulses, ensure the synchronism of the brain. Structures that are responsible for touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell are actively developing.
Changes also occur in the hematopoietic system. The spleen is connected to the process of formation of blood cells, produces leukocytes, whose task is to protect the child's body from external and internal factors. Under 19-20 weeks, the fetal blood consisted only of erythrocytes and at this stage its composition changes dramatically and approaches the composition of the blood of a newborn.
Expectant mother
The tummy of the expectant mother is actively growing, and the fundus of the uterus is already located up to 2 cm below the navel.
Weight gain is about 3-6 kg and is distributed proportionally between the placenta, uterus, fetus, amniotic fluid. The weight of the fetus is only a tenth of the total added weight.
Due to the intensive growth of the uterus, a woman may feel discomfort. Often this condition manifests itself when changing the position of the body, bending to the sides, walking. The nature of pain can be different. It can be pulling, sharp, sudden pains that occur both on one side and on both sides. The stretching of the ligaments that are attached to the side walls of the uterus and the pelvic bones in order to fix the uterus is quite active. The uterus of a woman is, as it were, in limbo due to this ligamentous apparatus. When the ligaments are pulled during a change in the position of the uterus, pain occurs.
This kind of pain is quite normal and typical for this period of pregnancy. In critical situations, a gynecologist may recommend that a woman take antispasmodics, which will help to relax the uterus, as well as eliminate the problem of pain almost completely.
At the 19th week, it is important for the gynecologist to exclude such risks of pregnancy complications as the threat of miscarriage and uterine hypertonicity. If one of these risks is detected, the expectant mother will be prescribed hospital treatment.
20th week
Baby
The baby at this time is 28 cm long and weighs about 340 g. Until this week of pregnancy, the length of the fetus was measured by calculating the length from crown to tailbone. After the 20th week, the specialist includes in the concept of growth the length of not only the body, but also the lower limbs as well.
At this stage of development, the child is quite active, makes numerous movements, since there is enough space in the uterus for him to roll, push off the walls, and other movements. The baby can smile, grab the umbilical cord, feel himself, frown, close his eyes. His facial expressions are quite developed and more pronounced than before.
The skin becomes dense, actively covered with fluffy hairs and a special lubricant.
A large amount of this lubricant is in the folds. This lubricant prevents the risk of mechanical friction, has bactericidal properties, and ensures optimal passage of the fetus through the mother's birth canal during childbirth.
It is impossible not to note the intensive development of the gastrointestinal tract. Small portions of amniotic fluid, which the child swallows, wash the walls of the intestines and stomach, lead to the training of peristalsis, and contribute to the contraction of the intestines.
At the 20th week, amniotic fluid is processed. In the body of a child, the first feces - meconium - is formed. It has a dark green color. It consists of mucus, water, epithelial cells, and bile. Accumulation of meconium is carried out in the intestinal lumen. On the first day of birth, it comes out.
Expectant mother
The 20th week is the end of the first half of a woman's pregnancy. Starting from the following weeks, the load on the body of the expectant mother only increases.
This fact can be explained by the active development of the fetus in the womb.
The belly of a pregnant woman is significantly enlarged, and the fundus of the uterus is already at the level of the navel. During this period, a woman may complain about the manifestation of symptoms of shortness of breath: after all, the uterus is already beginning to put pressure on the lungs. Also characteristic of this week is an increase in urination. Squeezing of the bladder leads to frequent urination.
The discharge from the woman's vagina also increases. A large blood flow contributes to increased secretion production. The discharge may be mucous or white. It should also be noted that they should not have a foreign unpleasant odor, and also cause itching, burning. Changes in a woman's secretions are an occasion to consult a doctor for advice, because this can signal to the expectant mother about the presence of various kinds of diseases. Curdled, thick, yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor can signal the presence of sexual infections and their exacerbation, a violation of the microflora, and the manifestation of thrush.
Pregnant women are prone to colpitis, as their mucosa becomes more attractive to microbes, promotes their active reproduction and thereby increases the risk of infection of the fetus with an infection.
That is why, on the 20th week, women are required to undergo screenings, a smear of secretions for flora, and also undergo diagnostics of genital infections. If any signs of deterioration in the condition of the pregnant woman are detected, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination and a course of treatment.
what is happening, the development of pregnancy and fetus
Week by week
17th - 20th weeks of pregnancy
Elena Gevorkova
Obstetrician-gynecologist, Moscow
17th week
BABY
The body length of the fetus at this period is 12-13 cm, and its weight reaches 150 g by the end of the 17th week.
The main process of this week is to increase the baby's muscle mass.
Various muscle groups are strengthened, which is manifested by increased motor activity of the fetus. Movements become more varied and complex. Frequent movements of the arms and legs not only train the muscles, but also contribute to the development of joints - knee and elbow. The handles are clenched into fists and are unclenched infrequently - to capture the umbilical cord or when sucking a finger. Until this time, the fetal head practically did not move, it was lowered low, the chin was tightly pressed to the chest. By the 17th week, the muscles of the back and neck are strengthened so much that the fetal head can rise to an almost vertical position.
All internal organs continue to improve, their structure becomes more complex, and their functional abilities expand. In other words, intensive preparation continues, allowing the internal organs to begin full-fledged work immediately after the birth of the child.
Important changes are taking place in the baby's cardiovascular system.
Around the heart there are many nerve plexuses that form the conduction system of the heart. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the heart does not require external signals to work. Each internal human organ obeys the central nervous system - the brain, which sends a command, and the organ works according to the signal "from above". The peculiarity of the functioning of the heart lies in the fact that the command signals that cause it to contract arise in itself. This autonomous mode allows the heart to work throughout life, day and night, regardless of the activity of the central nervous system.
The development of the fetal respiratory system continues. The respiratory muscles of the lungs are strengthened. Breathing movements become more and more intense - contractions that simulate inhalation and exhalation, which allows you to strengthen the muscles of the chest. At a period of 17 weeks, the alveolar apparatus of the lungs is completely formed. Alveoli are the end parts of the respiratory apparatus in the lung, having the form of tiny bubbles, in which, after the birth of the baby, gas exchange will occur: oxygen from the air will enter the blood vessels of the lungs, and carbon dioxide will be released into the lumen of the alveoli.
Each breath will saturate the baby's blood with oxygen. From 17 weeks, the fetal alveoli are in a collapsed state. The first breath of the baby will fill the lungs with air, and the alveoli will expand widely.
Expectant MOM
The tummy continues to grow, and the bottom of the uterus is in the middle between the pubic symphysis (pubis) and the navel. Weight gain by this period is about 5 kg. An increase in the total volume of the mother's blood is natural, since the fetus needs intensive nutrition. The expectant mother feels this as a rapid heartbeat, as more blood passes through the heart of a pregnant woman than usual, and this requires additional heart contractions. An increased heartbeat - tachycardia - may not be felt at all, and may be a source of discomfort for a woman. If you experience tachycardia, you should report it to your gynecologist or cardiologist to determine if it is normal or a symptom of a heart condition such as an arrhythmia.
Another manifestation of increased blood volume (CBV) in pregnant women can be nosebleeds and increased bleeding of the gums.
This is due to the increased load on thin-walled vessels - capillaries located in the mucous membranes of the nasal and oral cavities. Vitamins come to the rescue, the timely appointment of which will strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Hygiene procedures will also require caution: the use of toothbrushes with soft bristles is recommended. If minor nosebleeds appear, you can rinse the nasal passages with a salt solution using AQUAMARIS, PHYSIOMER, SALIN preparations or prepare the solution yourself by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to a glass of water. The salt solution will compress the walls of the capillaries of the mucosa, thereby helping to stop the bleeding. For more severe bleeding, see a doctor.
18th week
BABY
At the 18th week, the length of the fetus is 20 cm, and the weight reaches 200-250 g.
During this period, the structure of the brain becomes more complicated, its total mass increases. Nerve fibers that braid organs and tissues are covered with a special fatty sheath - myelin.
The myelin sheath provides a high speed of nerve impulses. In the future, this will allow a person to instantly respond to external stimuli, for example, pull his hand away from a hot or sharp object at the slightest contact with it.
The appearance of the fetus approaches the appearance of a newborn child, facial features become more and more distinct, ears straighten out, which until this time were tightly pressed to the head.
The middle ear is being formed and the neural transmission pathway responsible for auditory perception is being improved. In other words, from this period the baby is able to perceive external stimuli and respond to excessively loud sounds - knocking doors, screams, car signals, etc. The noises of the mother's body (intestinal peristalsis, heartbeat, blood flow through large vessels, etc.) are a completely normal environment for the fetus, moreover, they train his auditory perception.
The fetal endocrine system functions very intensively.
Starting from the period of 18-19 weeks, the release of "children's" hormones is so great that even the mother's body is able to provide. For example, if the mother had an insufficiency of adrenal or thyroid hormones, then at this time it is quite possible to compensate for this condition.
Expectant MOM
18 weeks of pregnancy is the period when you can feel the movements of the fetus. Usually, in primiparas, these sensations occur later - at 19— 20th week. As a rule, at earlier terms (at 16-18 weeks), movements are felt by multiparous or thin women who have an insignificant layer of subcutaneous fat.
At first it will be episodic, short-term, weak sensations. After some time, the movements are felt more and more clearly. Their nature can be different: light pushes, touches, rolling or twitching. The first movements of the baby are a very anticipated and exciting moment in the life of pregnant women. For the first time, the expectant mother receives a response to her condition, “proof” of the connection between her and the baby.
Fetal movements are very chaotic, varied. The motor activity of the fetus increases during its wakefulness and is practically absent during sleep. Most of the time the fetus sleeps. Movement can become more active if the expectant mother is experiencing emotional stress. In this case, the level of stress hormones in the pregnant woman's body rises and the fetus, receiving them with the mother's blood, experiences similar sensations, which is manifested by an increase in its activity. Also, the baby may respond to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the mother's body if the pregnant woman does not move much, spends insufficient time in the fresh air, or is in a forced position for a long time (for example, driving a car).
19th week
BABY
At the 19th week the fetus is 25 cm tall and weighs 250-300 g. , and the fetal head significantly slows down its growth. Due to this, the baby changes outwardly and no longer looks disproportionate.
The relief of the fetal body changes somewhat and acquires roundness due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat. This is the so-called brown fat of newborns, which is laid down for a period of 19-20 weeks and after the birth of a child, it performs the function of thermoregulation - it protects against overheating and hypothermia. Gradually, this fat disappears, and in adults it remains in the form of lumps in the thickness of the cheeks, in the region of the kidneys, shoulder blades, and armpits.
At this time, an interesting event occurs - the laying of molars (permanent) teeth. They are located under the rudiments of milk teeth in the thickness of the dental plate - this is a special formation from which the maxillo-dental complex is formed and which disappears by the full term of pregnancy.
The most important process of the 19th week of fetal development is rightly considered the maturation of the brain. Separate units of the brain (neurons) form connections with each other with the help of special processes. Cells seem to cling to each other, thereby providing the possibility of a variety of pathways for the passage of impulses and the synchronism of the brain. There is a formation of brain structures responsible for perception - taste, sight, smell, hearing, touch.
Interesting changes occur in the hematopoietic system of the fetus. The spleen is involved in the formation of blood cells. It produces mainly "white" blood cells - leukocytes. Their main task is to protect the body from external and internal factors - toxins, microbes, etc. Thus, the composition of the blood of the fetus changes. Until deadline 19-20 weeks, the blood of the fetus consisted exclusively of erythrocytes - cells of the "red" blood, but now it is close in composition to the blood of a newborn.
Future MOM
The tummy continues to grow rapidly, and by this time the bottom of the uterus is 1.5-2 cm below the navel.
By the 19th week, the weight of the pregnant woman increases by 3-6 kg. This increase is distributed between the placenta, amniotic fluid, uterus and fetus, and it accounts for only a tenth of the total weight.
Rapid growth of the uterus may cause discomfort. Most often this is due to the fact that when you change the position of the body, when walking or bending, pain is felt in the lateral sections. Its nature is different: the pain can be pulling or sudden, acute, occur only on one side or on both. This is how the ligaments are stretched. These are special strands that are attached to the side walls of the uterus and pelvic bones and fix the uterus. The uterus is "suspended" with the help of this ligamentous apparatus. When there is a change in its position, the ligaments are stretched, and this can cause pain.
Such "ligamentous" pains are normal and do not require treatment - sometimes it is enough to take antispasmodics that relax the uterus and eliminate pain. But you need to inform your gynecologist about this condition and undergo an examination to exclude pregnancy complications - uterine hypertonicity, the threat of interruption. In this case, treatment should be prescribed - possibly in a hospital setting.
20th week
BABY
Fetal length reaches 28 cm, weight increases to 340 g.
Until the 20th week, the length of the baby was measured from the crown to the coccyx, after this period, the concept of growth will also include the length of the body and legs.
The fetus is active, makes many different movements: pushes off the walls of the uterus, somersaults, grabs the umbilical cord with its handles, feels itself. The facial expressions of the baby become more pronounced: he frowns, smiles, closes his eyes.
The skin of the fetus thickens, completely covered with downy hairs and cheese-like grease. The largest amount of lubricant accumulates in the folds, which prevents skin irritation during mechanical friction. Also, the lubricant has bactericidal properties, and during childbirth, it provides better gliding of the fetus along the mother's birth canal.
The gastrointestinal tract is developing intensively. The fetus constantly swallows amniotic fluid in small portions, which washes the stomach and intestines and trains peristalsis - reducing bowel movements.
From the 20th week, the process of processing amniotic fluid begins, a prototype of future digestion. The fetus produces the original feces - meconium, a sticky substance of a dark green color. Meconium consists of epithelial cells, mucus, bile and water. It accumulates in the intestinal lumen of the fetus and normally comes out on the first day after birth.
Future MOM
20 weeks complete the first half of pregnancy. Starting from this period, the load on the mother's body increases due to the intensive growth of the fetus.
The tummy increases in size, the height of the fundus of the uterus reaches the level of the navel. The growing uterus begins to put pressure on the lungs, pregnant women experience the first symptoms of shortness of breath.
Some increase in urination is possible. The reason for this is mechanical irritation due to compression of the bladder by the growing uterus. In many cases, there is an increase in the volume of vaginal discharge. The extra blood flow to the genitals causes an increase in vaginal secretion, which appears as a mucus or white discharge. Normally, they should not have a smell and be accompanied by discomfort in the vagina - itching, burning, etc. It is necessary to monitor the nature of the discharge and consult a doctor for any changes - with the appearance of yellow, thick, curdled discharge, an unpleasant odor, etc. Such whites can be a sign of trouble - thrush, microflora disorders, exacerbation of genital infections. During pregnancy, the tendency to inflammation of the vagina - colpitis - increases, as the mucosa changes its composition and becomes more "attractive" to microbes. Saturation with mucus increases its nutritional value, and microbes multiply in such an environment at a high rate.
