Week 19

Your Baby's Development
Your baby is now covered with a waxy substance called vernix caseosa, which helps prevent delicate skin from becoming chapped or scratched. Premature babies may be covered in this cheesy coating at delivery.

In the brain, your baby is developing millions of motor neurons, which are nerves that connect the muscles to the brain. As a result, your baby is now able to make conscious muscle movements such as sucking his or her thumb in addition to involuntary movements.

Your Body
Your constant concern for your baby's health may give way to reassurance as you feel your baby's first movements, usually between the 18th and 20th week. These first movements are known as quickening, and they may feel like butterflies in your stomach or a growling stomach. Later in your pregnancy, you'll feel kicks, punches, and possibly hiccups! Each baby has different movement patterns, but if you are concerned about your baby's movement or if the movements have decreased in frequency or intensity, talk to your health care provider.

Many women wonder around this time whether having sex will hurt their developing baby, and the answer is no. Sex is considered safe at all stages of pregnancy, as long as your pregnancy is normal. But that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to want to have it. Many expectant women find that their desire for sex fluctuates during the various stages of pregnancy, depending on their fatigue, growing size, anxiousness over the birth, and a host of other body changes. Keep the lines of communication with your partner open as these issues come up. Even though you may both be preoccupied with the baby, it's important to have some "together time," too.