Now that you’re almost at the halfway mark of your pregnancy, you’re probably starting to think in terms of picking a baby name. The name you pick for your baby will have far-reaching consequences for your baby; so be careful while selecting it. Give it more thought than just going through a book of baby names and picking one that catches your fancy.
Do you want the name to reflect your culture or heritage? Do you want to honor a relative or friend by naming your baby after them? You may also want to give a thought to the fact that your child has to live with the name through school and beyond; so don’t pick something that will earn ridicule to your child. Unique and one of a kind name may please you, but will it also please the child who has to live with that name?
Changes in the baby
Baby is at its most active right now – strong enough for a lot of acrobatics but still small enough to move around and even summersault inside the amniotic sac. Soon it will be too crowded for the baby to do much but right now baby is busy working out.
- Baby’s teeth buds are growing within the gums now.
- The body is now quite proportionate and the head doesn’t seem outsized compared with the rest of the body.
- A sticky substance called vernix now coats your baby’s skin to protect it from the amniotic fluid.
Changes in the mom to be
At this time, a test for blood sugar is important, so that if you have gestational diabetes, it can be identified and controlled properly.
- As the ligaments supporting the uterus stretch, aches and pains are quite common now.
- You may notice skin changes such as a butterfly shaped pigment patch on your face (chloasma or the mask of pregnancy), reddened palms and the dark line down your abdomen (linea nigra). Don’t worry about those, they’ll disappear after childbirth.
Tips for the 19th Week
With your burgeoning belly, you may find it difficult to sleep.
- Lie on your side when you sleep, preferably your left side.
- Elevate your head to keep your nasal passages clear and also to prevent heartburn.
- Use a body pillow or several regular pillows for extra support.
- Have a relaxing nighttime routine to soothe and lull you to sleep. You may want to add lavender to your bath water; it has natural calming properties.