At 19 weeks, you will be showing, and you will soon feel the baby moving inside you. If pregnancy didn't feel real right away, it probably feels serious now. Your caregiver will check your urine for extra proteins and sugars that should not be there. They will also be keeping tabs on your blood pressure and the size of your fundus to ensure that everything is progressing as it should and staying on track. Most of the tests you'll have are non-invasive and may happen in your caregiver's office, so there is no need to panic or worry.
With getting bigger, you are likely to start having other discomforts and potential problems related to hormones and pregnancy.
- Some moms might experience changes in vision-related to water retention and hormones. It usually corrects itself after birth, but if it is causing problems or has you unable to see, you should contact your doctor right away.
- The increase in hormones and pressure on your diaphragm might also cause some feelings of breathlessness. This lack of breath is usually harmless, but you should tell your doctor if you are having trouble regularly or getting dizzy to boot.
- Round ligament pain could also be causing you pain like a stabbing in your side or an achiness in your lower abdomen. The ligaments supporting your uterus will ache as they stretch to accommodate the increasing weight.
- While no one is certain what causes leg pains and cramps while pregnant, they might be keeping you up at night or causing pain to radiate up and down your legs. The best way to help these pains is to straighten the leg and slowly move your ankle and toes back toward your shin.
- Pregnancy can increase your risk for a urinary tract infection (UTI). Thanks once again to hormone changes, bacteria are more likely to accumulate in your bladder. Paying attention to how often you pee and if there is any discomfort which can give you a heads up on potential problems ahead. If urination is dramatically different or it burns when you pee, be sure to tell your doctor right away. If you know you are prone to UTIs, you should drink as much water as possible and add a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to help prevent a UTI from forming.
Reference Sources
- American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics - Back Pain During Pregnancy
- American Association of Pregnancy - Week 19
