Week 19

My Baby's Development

Your baby is now surrounded with a white and waxy substance called vernix caseosa. It helps to prevent delicate skin from scratch or chap. Premature babies may be covered in this cheesy coat at their delivery.

Your baby is still tiny. The development of brown fat is developing by this week. It helps to keep your baby warm after birth. During your last trimester, your baby will add on more layers of fat for its warmth and protection after birth.

My Body

If you start feeling your baby's first movements, your constant concern are needed for your baby's health. The movements often happen between week 18 to 20. The first movements are known as quickening. It may feels like butterflies in your stomach or a growling stomach. Later in your pregnancy, you may feel the kicks, punches and even hiccups! Each baby has different movement patterns. But you need to pay attention if the movements have decreased in frequency or intensity, consult your doctor.

Many women was wondering whether having sex will hurt their developing baby? The answer is no. At all stages of pregnancy, having sex is considered safe, as long as your pregnancy is normal. But it doesn't mean you can have it anytime. Many expectant women find their sex desire fluctuates in different stages of pregnancy. It's depending on their fatigue, growing size, anxiousness over the birth and a host of other body changes. Keep the communication line with your partner open when the sex issues come up. Even if you both may be preoccupied with the baby, it's also important to have some time together.

Week 18

My Baby's Development

Your baby’s ears move to their final position and they stand out from the head. They start brushing up on your lullabies. So, in the coming weeks, your baby will probably be able to hear! The middle ear bones and the nerve endings from the brain are developing. Your baby will hear sounds such as your heartbeat and blood moving through the umbilical cord. Your baby may even be startled by loud noises! Your baby's eyes are also developing. They're now facing forward rather than facing to the sides. The retinas may be able to detect the beam of a flashlight if you hold it to your abdomen.

Until now, your baby's bones are developing but were still soft. They begin to harden or ossify by this week. Some of the first bones start to ossify are those in the clavicles and the legs.

My Body

You may be preparing for a life with your baby. Your preparations should extend beyond decorating the nursery and gathering the layette, though. This is a good week to begin your search for a pediatrician for your baby. Schedule visits to meet with potential doctors to discuss issues such as appointment availability, immunization schedule and when to call in an emergency. You need to learn about their practices and procedures.

Some good questions to ask: How many doctors are in the practice? Which doctor covers nights and weekends? What is their policy on phone calls? Which hospitals they affiliated with? What kind of insurance they accept? What specialists do they work with? How they handle emergencies?

It's important that you familiar with your baby's doctor. So, do your research and make your decision carefully.

Week 17

My Baby's Development

Your baby is still very tiny by this week. Its about 5.1 inches (13cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 4.9 ounces (140g).

The placenta, which nourishes your baby with nutrients and oxygen and removes wastes, is growing to accommodate your baby. It now contains thousands of blood vessels that bring nutrients and oxygen from your body to your baby's developing body.

My Body

Hormones are preparing your breasts for milk production (more blood is flowing to the breasts) and the glands that produce milk are growing in preparation for breastfeeding. This may cause your breast size increase (many women increase one to two cup sizes) and cause veins to become visible. You are advised to buy supportive bras in a variety of sizes to accommodate your breast growth during pregnancy.

Week 16

My Baby's Development

Your baby now measures about 4.7 inches (12cm) in length from crown to rump and weighs about 3.9 ounces (110g). Your baby can hold his or her head erect. The development of the muscles on face allows it a variety of expressions (such as squinting and frowning).

My Body

Between weeks 16 and 18, your health care provider may request a maternal blood screening test (known as "triple marker" test or "triple screen"). In the mother's blood, it measures the pregnancy hormones (hCG and estriol) and the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein produced by the fetus. When the level of an additional substance (inhibin-A) is also measured, the test is called a quadruple screen. These tests can tell moms whether their babies are at risk for (not whether they have) neural tube defects (such as spina bifida or chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome). Out of every 1,000 women who take these tests, about 50 women will have abnormal results. Only 1 or 2 women will actually have babies with a problem. Consult your health care provider about the risks and advantages of these tests.

Week 15

My Baby's Development

Your baby’s skin is continuously developing. Parents are often amazed by the softness of their newborn's skin. It is so thin and translucent, you can see the blood vessels through it. Hair growth continues on the eyebrows and head. Your baby's ears are almost in its position by now. But its still a bit low on the head.

Internally, your baby's muscle development and skeletal system continues to develop. Your baby is probably making a lot of movements with his or her head, mouth, arms, wrists, hands, legs and feet.

My Body

Has it sunk in that you're pregnant? Many women say it isn't until they trade in their jeans for maternity clothes and people start noticing their swelling abdomens that the reality of pregnancy sets in. This realization is both joyful and scary. It's normal to feel as if you're in an emotional situation. Do you feel scatter brained as well? Even the most organized women reported that pregnancy somehow makes them forgetful, clumsy and unable to concentrate. Keep the stress in your life to a minimum level and take your "mental lapses" in stride since they're only temporary.