How Your Baby Grows During the Nineteenth Week
Your baby's crown to rump length is now about 5 to 6 inches long and he will weigh around 7 ounces. He may be sucking his thumb already and his mother can feel him kicking and rolling around about within her womb.
The buds for his baby "milk teeth" or "baby teeth" have formed already, and the buds for his permanent teeth and still developing.
As he nears the end of the fifth month of pregnancy, your baby is a fully functioning human. In fact, really the only reason he is not ready for survival outside of the womb, is that his lumngs are not yet developed enough. Other than needing to increase fat stores and air sacs in the lungs, your baby is already mimicking all the behaviors he will display as a newborn once he is born.
What the Mother Feels During the Nineteenth Week
An expectant mother may find herself having some dizzy spells, especially when rising suddenly from a sitting or lying position. As her body increase her blood volume rapidly, the overall concentration of iron levels may decrease, making her feel tired, breathless, or dizzy.
She should stand up slowly, and when rising from a lying position, should pause in a sitting position before jumping to her feet too quickly. As we mentioned in previous weeks, she should avoid lying on her back since the weight of the uterus will decrease blood flow in her body.
A pregnant mother may begin to notice patterns of active times and quiet times by her baby. These cycles may be early indicator's of when the baby will likely be alert or restful after he is born.
Resources:
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month by Dr. Sears
Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Lesley Regan
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
