19th week
LET'S GET MEASURED!
Size of baby: 12 - 14 cm
Baby's weight: 200 grams
The development of your baby's weight is astounding, as astounding is the development of its "five senses"! The brain sets the specialised areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch. Surveys showed that it can hear your voice now, so do not be shy to read to it aloud, talk to it or sing to it. The hands and feet are now in the correct proportion to one another, but also to the rest of the body, while a sticky substance appears on its skin, the so-called "sebum" which serves to protect the skin.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
... Your palms may be more red now? If so, you should know that extra estrogens are to blame! Do you have some dark skin "discolourations" on the upper lip, cheeks or forehead? It's the effect of a temporary increase in skin pigment and is known as the "mask of pregnancy". A little makeup can do wonders, almost making them hard to see! Still, do not find it odd to notice that your freckles are more intense or even that a tan line has appeared from the navel to the pubic bone. It is the so-called "dark line" (or Linea nigra). After delivery, these symptoms will subside, but until then you should be careful with sun exposure, always apply sunscreen for face and body with UVA and UVB protection and SPF 30 or higher, as well as a hat, and sunglasses with proper protection.
Your weight will now increase even faster. You may feel pain in the lower abdomen or even in your back or at the ribs, especially at the end of a busy day. Most likely this is due to some small stretching of the ligaments that support the uterus. This is not something disturbing, but if you notice that the pain persists or has increased in intensity, inform your doctor immediately. Also, a heating pillow and a little massage on the muscles by your partner is a good idea to relax... both the muscles and you!
A good exercise for the back is the following: Sit comfortably in a chair or even on the floor with legs stretched forward. Lower slowly and steadily forward your head to your knees and try to touch the toes, as much as you can (do not push yourself more). Rise slowly to your original position. Repeat it a few times and maybe you will see the pain soothed.
If you are pregnant with twins, you should be twice as cautious, especially in your daily life and the way you move, as the weight is further increased and it burdens your body... twice as much.
Even if you have noticed any problem with haemorrhoids, inform your doctor, but you should know that this is common during pregnancy. Try taking vitamin E; they say it helps a lot!
Advice
Talk to your baby! It's a great way to start the process of bonding with it substantially. Preferably in a familiar place, so that people don't think you talk to yourself, read aloud an article from a magazine or newspaper or even, an excerpt from a children's book. Special investigations have shown that this process helps develop the language skills of the child in later life. Find therefore some written cheerful and optimistic message, or even a thought or desire of your own, and transfer it to the baby. Talk to it about the dreams you have for it...
Have a nice week ... and enjoy your reading!
Source
http://www.paidorama.com
