19 Weeks & A Survey

How far along?  19 weeks exactly

Total weight gain/loss: At my last appointment it was 6 lbs. I don't weigh myself at home, so I'm not sure how  much more I've gained since then!

Maternity clothes? Oh yes, non maternity pants don't fit at all, and non maternity shirts are just simply too short to fit over this growing belly!

Stretch marks? Fortunately, I haven't noticed any.

Sleep:  Totally depends on the night! Some nights I've been sleeping really well and others I'm tossing and turning and up to go to the bathroom about 6 times.

Best moment this week: Lots of movement! Also we reached the "less than a week to go" point of finding out what Mini Musa is!

Movement: Quite a bit! Sometimes it feels like he or she is doing kickboxing in there.

Food cravings: Still hamburgers and fruit. Oh my goodness, now I want Wendy's!

Gender: We find out next Thursday!

Labor Signs: Oh no thank goodness

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Not being SO hot! My hands and feet are constantly miserably hot.

What I am looking forward to: Anatomy scan this coming Thursday!

Milestone: Really looking pregnant and not just fat! ;)

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.