You are 19 weeks pregnant

Your baby

This week, permanent teeth buds will begin to form behind your little one’s baby (or milk) teeth buds, and his reproductive organs are continuing to develop rapidly. If you’re having a ...Read more

Your body

Feeling dizzy? A lot of pregnant women do at this stage - and while it’s really nothing to worry about, it’s not a fun thing to literally be so out of balance. You might notice dizzines...Read more

Your life right now

If you’re interested in taking a childbirth class, now’s the time to start looking into them. Even if you’re all about the epidural, and don’t feel like you need to learn th...Read more

Mums like me

‘I think the biggest lesson learned from baby #1 to #2 was how much you don’t need. You need your car-seat, something to sleep in, boobs or bottles, nappies and clothes. Three-quarters ...Read more

This week, permanent teeth buds will begin to form behind your little one’s baby (or milk) teeth buds, and his reproductive organs are continuing to develop rapidly. If you’re having a girl, her uterus may now be clearly visible on an ultrasound. Having a boy? The testes may be apparent and his penis easily identifiable. So if you haven’t found out the sex - and don’t want to know until D-day - be sure to let your doctor or ultrasound technician know, and ask her to tell you when to look away during a screening. You may not be a pro at reading an ultrasound, but some things (especially in the case of a baby boy) you just can’t miss. Also in the works this week: The baby’s skin will become covered with a white cheese-like coating called vernix caseosa. It clings to the tiny lanugo hairs and forms a protective barrier, keeping your one’s delicate skin from getting chapped or scratched as he moves around.

Feeling dizzy? A lot of pregnant women do at this stage - and while it’s really nothing to worry about, it’s not a fun thing to literally be so out of balance. You might notice dizziness most when you get up from sitting or lying down (you know, that head-rushy feeling), and for that, there’s an easy remedy: Just take it more slowly. This will give your body a few extra seconds to adjust, so that gravity doesn’t cause blood to rush out of your brain from rising too rapidly - and make you feel woozy, as a result. Low blood sugar can also contribute to light-headedness, so make sure you eat small, frequent meals (no skipping!). And make a habit of popping a piece of fruit, a little bag of cereal, or some nuts in your bag in the morning so you won’t find yourself stuck without something to eat on a crazy run-around day. If the dizziness is severe, of course, check in with your GP to rule out any other problems, like anaemia or diabetes.

If you’re interested in taking a childbirth class, now’s the time to start looking into them. Even if you’re all about the epidural, and don’t feel like you need to learn that hoo hoo-hee hee breathing stuff, a childbirth class can give you a little more insight into what to expect, how to time contractions, when to head for the hospital and all kinds of tips and tricks for what to do when baby actually arrives. And consider your partner, too. Many mums say that, in the end, the class was more helpful for him -in terms of easing hubby’s anxiety about what will happen during labour and delivery, and letting him know how he can help. A look out for baby care classes, where you learn how to do things like change a nappy, and bathe and swaddle your newborn.

‘I think the biggest lesson learned from baby #1 to #2 was how much you don’t need. You need your car-seat, something to sleep in, boobs or bottles, nappies and clothes. Three-quarters of the stuff we got ended up going to the charity shop.’ -almaha468

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