Pregnancy & Baby 

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Pregnancy week 19

A week by week guide to what’s happening to you and your baby

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Around this time you may find that heartburn is likely to increase as your uterus pushes up against your stomach. The movement of food through the digestive tract has slowed. Nutrients reach the foetus more efficiently, generally within one or two hours after meals.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

At 15cm crown to-rump, or a total length of about eight inches, and weighing eight ounces, your baby is getting big. This week, permanent teeth buds are forming behind the milk teeth buds.

HEALTHY EATING

Healthy eating can be a challenge when you go out to a restaurant. Here are some tips:

• Avoid fish that may not be cooked thoroughly, such as sushi.
• If ordering meat, always specify that you'd like cooked medium to well done.
• Don't order deep-fried foods. Stick with baked, grilled or poached.
• Order salad as an appetiser. Avoid Caesar salad, which may contain raw egg.
• Order desserts that contain fruit.
• If you're eating Chinese food ask for steamed, not fried, rice.

FACT OF THE WEEK

The pelvic floor muscles support the uterus, bowel and bladder. They lie in two groups forming a figure of eight around the urethra, vagina and anus. They are at the thickest at the perineum. Progesterone softens the joints and ligaments, including the pelvic floor muscles, in preparation for birth. About half the women who've had children suffer from some weakness of the pelvic floor - this can include incontinence when you laugh, cough, sneeze or lift things. Ask your midwife to show you how to strengthen these muscles. Do these exercises every day. You will be glad you did.

Find out what to expect in week 20 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here

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