Your Pregnancy: Week 19
Now that you're almost halfway done, it's time to start really planning for life after baby. That means making room for Junior, whether it's on the floor of your closet or in his own apartment, like the celebrity babies do it. Have fun with the process (who doesn't love shopping?) and don't stress when you're told it takes 12 weeks to get that special glider made and shipped.
Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...
What You're Thinking
"Where did the baby get a flame thrower? This heartburn is the worst!"
Your Body
If your chest is on fire every time you eat, drink or lay down, then you're probably dealing with the all-too-common pregnancy annoyance of heartburn. Luckily, this is one ailment that can be cured.
Antacids like Tums or Rolaids are considered
safe to take during pregnancy so pop a couple when needed. Sometimes eating several
small meals instead of three large ones can help with heartburn.
Need more relief? Try chewing gum after each meal, drinking warm milk with honey at bedtime, eating yogurt or elevating the head of your bed.
Your Baby
This week your baby starts bulking up and packing on the grossly named "brown fat" he'll need to keep warm when he gets evicted from his comfortable uterine home. Other highlights this week:
Vernix, a milky white coating that protects your baby's skin, appears all over your baby's body to keep his skin from getting pickled in the amniotic fluid. Think of it as if your baby has been dipped in yogurt, like those delicious but fake-healthy yogurt-covered raisins and pretzels. Ooh, we feel another craving comin' on. ... Under the vernix, a fuzzy layer of hair called lanugo now covers baby's body. Don't worry, your Mini won't look like Cousin It when he's born. Most of the fuzz will fall off before baby makes his grand entrance.
Good news: Your baby's kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine this week. Bad news: That means there will be lots of diapers in your future. But so far you're safe—at the moment the pee just passes into the amniotic fluid.
He or she now weighs about 8½ ounces and measures 6 inches, as long as a turkey sub from Subway on warm, delicious Italian Herbs and Cheese bread (or Honey Oat bread, or Oregano bread or ...)
Your Life
You and your Mini will stop, drop and roll around on the floor for a big part of the day. So now's a good time to take a serious look at your flooring and have it professionally cleaned or remodeled if needed. If you choose to install new flooring, you'll want to weigh the softness of wall-to-wall carpet against the challenge of keeping it clean.
You may prefer to install easier-to-clean hardwood or laminate flooring instead. An area rug can provide comfort for less than the cost of wall-to-wall. Plus, when it's covered in puke stains, you get to go shopping again!
Speaking of flooring, and tearing it up, go out dancing with your girlfriends. You feel good, you look great and you definitely have more rump to shake!
Buy It:
Blik Wall Decals
Decorate the nursery without committing to a lifetime of pastel bunnies.
Eat It:
Gingered Salmon
Salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which Mommy and Mini need.
Know It:
One Way to Decorate Your Baby Girl's Room for the Long Haul
Share It:
Hands Off
Sick of your belly being public property? You're not alone! This mama would like to teach the world about "personal space."
Discuss It:
Chat with other expecting parents on our
Pregnancy Board.
