With 19 weeks down, you're entering pregnancy month 5.

Get ready for some exciting pregnancy milestones, like feeling baby's first kicksif you haven't already and the 20-week ultrasound, or anatomy scan, where you'll get to meet your baby up close.

Your Baby at Week 19

At a Glance

Skin coating
Skin coating
Your baby's sensitive skin is now covered in vernix caseosa, a greasy, white, cheese-like coating that protects his skin from being wrinkled at birth.
Just breathe
Just breathe
Your baby's lungs are developing, with the main airways (called bronchioles) beginning to form this week.
Feel that kick?
Feel that kick?
You may be able to feel baby move for the first time this week, but don't panic if you don't. You will soon!

19 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 19 weeks pregnant, you're in month 5 of your pregnancy. Only 4 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 19 weeks?

Six inches long this week and just over a half pound in weight, your baby has gone through a bit of a growth spurt. 

Vernix develops

Your little one may have a cheesy varnish this week.

Say what? You read that right — a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for "varnish"; caseosa means "cheese") now covers your fetus' skin. It's greasy, white and made up of that downy hair known as lanugo, oil from your baby's glands and dead skin cells.

This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appealing, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, he'd look very wrinkled at birth — sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months.

The vernix sheds as delivery approaches, though some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with it at birth, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.

Your Body at Week 19

19 weeks pregnant woman

Leg cramps

There's nothing like getting into bed at the end of a long, exhausting day — especially when you're pregnant. Aching for a good night's sleep — literally, if your back's been acting up again — you throw back the covers and prepare to happily drift into dreamland.

But if you're like many expecting moms, something may be keeping you awake tonight — besides what color to paint the nursery: leg cramps.

These painful spasms that radiate up and down your calves are very common during the second and third trimester. While these cramps can occur during the day, you'll notice them — oh, baby, will you notice them! — more at night.

No one knows for sure what causes them, though there are plausible theories aplenty. It could be that your leg muscles are just fatigued from carrying around all the extra weight of pregnancy. Or that the vessels that carry blood to and from your legs are compressed by your growing uterus at 19 weeks pregnant. 

There's also speculation that it may be somehow related to diet or not being fully hydrated, though this hunch hasn't been substantiated by studies.

Whatever the cause, you'll need a quick fix when a leg cramp does strike — especially when it's standing (or lying) between you and a good night's sleep. So here's one for you: Straighten your leg and gently flex your ankle and toes back toward your shins.

Feeling baby's kicks

Your sister said baby kicked by this point in pregnancy — and so did your best friend — but so far, you haven't felt a thing. Except those gas bubbles this morning … those were gas, weren't they?

Maybe, maybe not. Those first tiny kicks can be felt many different ways — generally starting between week 18 and week 22, though it can be a week or two later if this is your first pregnancy.

Sometimes you might feel like something is swimming inside you (which it is!), while other times those first fetal movements may feel more like butterflies in your tummy.

Once your baby grows bigger, you'll be able to easily tell what those little kicks feel like, so there won't be any mistaking them for something else. Learn more about fetal movement during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 19

Increased appetite
Increased appetite
Stretch marks
Stretch marks
Constipation
Constipation
Faintness or dizziness
Faintness or dizziness
Backaches
Backaches
Stuffy nose
Stuffy nose

Tips for You This Week

Plump up your pillows

You may not have snored in the past, but now that you're pregnant, those nighttime sounds may have kicked up and could be getting in the way of a good night's sleep.

Usually, snoring during pregnancy is more annoying than serious (it's typically because of an uptick in nasal congestion, which can start around week 16), but occasionally, it can be caused by a chronic condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Ask your health care provider about it, and get tips on what to do for relief.

Do some hand stretches

If you work at a computer all day, now’s a good time to start taking some hand-stretching breaks. Carpal tunnel synrome — an uncomfortable burning or numbness in the wrists, hands and fingers — can set in as early as the first trimester. 

You may also want to consider buying an ergonomic keyboard, which can help reduce the strain on your wrists, or invest in a wrist brace. 

Ask about yeast infections

With so much going on down there already, the last thing you need is an itchy yeast infection when you're pregnant. Unfortunately, you're especially likely to get them during pregnancy, thanks in part to higher estrogen levels that cause an overgrowth of yeast.

Yeast infections can be harder to control when you’re expecting (though not impossible!). Talk to your doctor about the best treatment.

Indulge in healthy cravings

What should you do when pregnancy cravings strike? That depends. Try to limit them if they're sending you to a box of glazed donuts or a bag of potato chips every time they come on (though it’s just fine to indulge here and there). 

For a healthier alternative, try eating cereal topped with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey, or dive into a bag of soy crisps, some of which are packed with protein. Vary things a bit if you can, but don't worry if your taste buds won't take the bait.

If your cravings are for foods to steer clear of when you’re expecting — like unpasteurized soft cheese or sashimi — sub something that comes as close as possible to the object of your affections, like pasteurized feta and teriyaki salmon.

If you find yourself wanting to eat substances that aren't food, like clay, ashes or laundry starch, contact your practitioner. Such cravings could indicate a condition called pica, which is triggered by a nutritional deficiency.

Strike a pose

Prenatal yoga is the perfect pregnancy exercise.

Not only can a yoga routine help you feel more relaxed and prepared for birth, but a once-a-week prenatal yoga session, when done for at least two months, is enough to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. That, in turn, can lower the risk of premature birth and postpartum blues.

Just be sure you’re taking a class specifically designed for pregnant women or working with an instructor who’s certified to teach prenatal yoga.

Pamper yourself with a mani/pedi

Relax — it's perfectly safe to get a manicure or a pedicure during pregnancy. Take advantage now before baby’s arrival makes it trickier. A bonus? Pregnancy hormones can make your nails grow faster and stronger.

As for acrylics, there's no proof that the chemicals are harmful to you or your fetus, but to be absolutely safe, you might want to forgo those tips until your baby arrives.

Non-toxic and water-based ingredients in polish might also be a good idea, as is a well-ventilated salon (this is true whether you're pregnant or not).

If your hormones didn't get the memo and you find that your nails have become weak or brittle, try a clear nail hardener and reapply often (plus make sure you're getting enough calcium).

Keep things moving

Eight to 10 full glasses of fluids — water, vegetable or fruit juice, broth — each day will help keep solids moving through your digestive tract at an impressive rate and keep your stool soft and easier to pass.

Prune juice is tops in the category since it's a mild laxative. Try to drink some when you're really clogged, and if you have trouble taking it straight, blend it with other fruits and juices into a smoothie.

Just don’t go overboard and talk to your doctor or midwife if you need some guidance.

Another time-honored way to get things moving: Turn to warm liquids including that health-spa staple, hot water and lemon. They can help stimulate peristalsis, those intestinal contractions that help you go.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  2. WhatToExpect.com, Yeast Infections During Pregnancy, June 2021.
  3. WhatToExpect.com, Pregnancy Nutrition Chart: 33 Essential Nutrients for Pregnant Women, June 2022.
  4. WhatToExpect.com, Snoring During Pregnancy, March 2021.
  5. WhatToExpect.com, How Much Water Should You Drink During Pregnancy?, November 2022.
  6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ultrasound Exams, October 2021.
  7. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Guidelines for Diagnostic Imaging During Pregnancy and Lactation, October 2017, reaffirmed 2021.
  8. Food and Drug Administration, Ultrasound Imaging, September 2020.
  9. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vaginitis, September 2023.
  10. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery,  Evaluation of Various Therapeutic Measures in Striae Rubra, April-June 2016
  11. KidsHealth From Nemours, How Can I Relieve My Pregnancy Leg Cramps?, January 2021.
  12. Mayo Clinic, What Causes Leg Cramps During Pregnancy and Can They Be Prevented?, April 2023.
  13. Science Direct, Vernix Caseosa: Formation and Functions, December 2014.
  14. National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,How the Lungs Work, March 2022.
  15. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Indian Journal of Dermatology,Unraveling the Mystery of Vernix Caseosa, 2008.
  16. Columbia University, Lung Development, 2004.
  17. WhatToExpect.com, When Can You Feel Your Baby Move and Kick?, February 2023.
  18. WhatToExpect.com, The 20-Week Anatomy Scan, November 2021.
  19. WhatToExpect.com, How Many Weeks, Months and Trimesters in a Pregnancy?, May 2022.
  20. WhatToExpect.com, What Is the Vernix and Why Is It Important?, April 2022.
  21. WhatToExpect.com, Suffering From Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?, December 2022.
  22. WhatToExpect.com, What to Do About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy, February 2021.
  23. WhatToExpect.com, Food Cravings and Aversions During Pregnancy, April 2021.
  24. WhatToExpect.com, Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy, November 2022.
  25. WhatToExpect.com, Prenatal Yoga: The Perfect Pregnancy Exercise, October 2021.
  26. WhatToExpect.com, Manicures and Pedicures During Pregnancy, March 2021.
  27. WhatToExpect.com, Stuffy Nose and Nosebleeds During Pregnancy, June 2023.
  28. WhatToExpect.com, Back Pain During Pregnancy, January 2022.
  29. WhatToExpect.com, Dizziness During Pregnancy, September 2022.
  30. WhatToExpect.com, Constipation During Pregnancy, October 2022.
  31. WhatToExpect.com, Stretch Marks During and After Pregnancy, April 2021.
  32. WhatToExpect.com, Has Your Appetite Increased During Pregnancy?, December 2022.

Recommended Products

What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

These Pregnancy-Friendly Leggings Are the Lululemon Dupes You've Been Waiting For
View All
CRZ Yoga Women's Naked Feeling High Waist Tight Yoga Pant
See Now Opens a new window
Affordable Maternity and Postpartum Leggings - CRZ Yoga Leggings
90 Degree by Reflex High Waist Power Flex Tummy Control Leggings
See Now Opens a new window
Affordable Maternity and Postpartum Leggings - 90 Degree by Reflex Leggings
Heathyoga Yoga Pants for Women With Pockets High Waisted Leggings
See Now Opens a new window
Affordable Maternity and Postpartum Leggings - Healthyoga Yoga Pants
Homma Premium Thick High Waist Tummy Compression Slimming Leggings
See Now Opens a new window
Affordable Maternity and Postpartum Leggings - Homma Premium Thick Leggings

What Other March 2025 Moms Are Talking About

join
There are 11,593 active discussions happening now with other March 2025 parents-to-be.
Join in