mybabybase

Second trimester

19 weeks pregnant

Baby is about the size of a mango.

Week 19 of 40 · in your second trimester · Updated

Your baby this week

Vernix (a waxy coating) protects baby's skin in the amniotic fluid.

  • Vernix caseosa — a white, cheesy substance — coats baby's skin to protect it from the watery amniotic fluid.
  • Baby's senses are developing rapidly: vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.
  • If carrying a girl, her uterus and vagina are forming. If a boy, the testes are starting to descend.

Your body this week

You might feel light-headed if you stand up too fast — your blood volume is up significantly.

  • Increased blood flow can cause occasional dizziness, especially when standing up quickly.
  • Skin changes — darker patches on face (chloasma or 'mask of pregnancy'), darker areolas — are normal.
  • Sleep position matters now: try to sleep on your left side.

Common symptoms

  • Dizziness when standing
  • Skin pigmentation changes
  • Continued back pain
  • Hip pain
  • Heartburn

Things to do this week

  • Stand up slowly
  • Wear sunscreen daily (melasma worsens with sun)
  • Try a body pillow

For partners this week

Little comforts

  • Offer a calf or back rub before bed — cramps and aches are common.
  • Keep sunscreen by the door for both of you.

Typical visits around this week

Based on a typical schedule in Ontario. Your doctor or midwife sets the actual timing.

  • Routine check-ups (about every 4 weeks)

    Weeks 12–28

    Check-ups are often about every 4 weeks until around 28 weeks. Your provider usually checks your blood pressure, weight and urine, listens to the baby's heartbeat and measures your growing belly. Some people need more visits.

    Questions to ask →
    • Is my blood pressure and weight gain on track?
    • Is this symptom I've been having normal?
    • What should I be doing about exercise, work or travel right now?
    • What's coming up before my next visit?

  • Anatomy (detailed) ultrasound

    Weeks 18–22

    A detailed ultrasound, usually at 18–22 weeks, that looks at the baby's brain, face, heart, spine, organs, arms and legs, and checks growth and where the placenta is.

    Questions to ask →
    • Can my partner come, and can we have pictures?
    • Where is the placenta, and does that matter for us?
    • When will my provider go over the results with me?
    • If we want to know the sex, can it be shared at this scan?

A flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine are recommended at any stage of pregnancy. The flu shot is given during flu season, so the timing depends on when you're pregnant.

When to call your doctor or midwife

Bleeding, fluid leaking, a bad headache or vision changes, or baby moving less than usual all need a call. See the warning signs and who to call →

← PreviousWeek 18Next →Week 20

Follow your pregnancy week by week in MyBabyBase.

A due-date countdown, a mood and symptom journal, appointments, and a safe place for your documents — all in one hub.

Jump to a week

See all 40 weeks →

Further reading from health authorities