§second trimester · week 19 of 40
you're 19 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 15.3 cm (6.0") · 240 g (8.5 oz)
about the size of a tomato.
Halfway through pregnancy is around the corner. Tiny taste buds work, and the baby can react to bright light beyond your belly.
this week's highlights
- Reacts to bright light
- Lanugo covers body
- Hearing is sharp
- Vernix thickens
how your baby looks
Covered in fine fuzz (lanugo) and a thick layer of vernix. Both will mostly disappear before birth but help protect skin in the meantime.
body in focus
- head
- Brain is forming specialized areas for senses.
- body
- Lanugo and vernix coat the skin.
- hands
- Tiny touches against the uterine wall feel exploratory.
- feet
- Toes are well-formed and kicks are routine.
what's happening in your body
You may feel pulled, achy ligaments from the bump's weight. Skin changes — darkening of the linea nigra, freckles, or melasma — are common.
gentle tips
- Use sunscreen every day to reduce melasma.
- Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C for better absorption.
- Sleep on your left side with a pillow under the bump.
- Take short breaks if standing for long periods.
- Talk to your provider if leg cramps wake you at night.
what to expect next
The anatomy scan is usually around now. You may learn the sex at the scan, plus get reassurance about organ development.