HOME  •  HEALTH  •  LIBRARY  •  AREAS  •  CENTERS  •  BOARDS  •  CHATS  •  JOIN FREE

Week 19
MDAdvice.com Home > Health Library > Your Pregnancy: Week by Week > Previous Week > Contents > Next Week

How Big Is Your Baby?

Crown-to-rump length of the growing fetus is 5.2 to 6 inches (13 to 15cm) by this week. Your baby weighs about 7 ounces (200g). It's incredible to think your baby will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and delivery.

How Big Are You?

Your uterus can be felt about 0.5 inch (1.3cm) below your umbilicus. The illustration on page 162 gives you a good idea of the relative size of you, your uterus and your developing baby. A side view really shows the change in you!

Total weight gain at this point is between 8 and 14 pounds (3.6 and 6.3kg). Of this weight gain, only about 7 ounces (200g) is your baby! The placenta weighs about 6 ounces (170g); the amniotic fluid weighs another 11 ounces (320g). The uterus weighs 11 ounces (320g). Your breasts have each increased in weight by 6.3 ounces (180g).

How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing

Your Baby's Nervous System

The beginning of the baby's nervous system (brain and other structures, such as the spinal cord) is seen as early as week 4 as the neural plate begins to develop. By week 6 of gestation, the main divisions of the central nervous system are established. These divisions consist of the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord. In week 7, the forebrain divides into the two hemispheres that will become the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain.

Hydrocephalus

Organization and development of the brain continues from this early beginning. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), which circulates around the brain and the spinal cord, is made by the choroid plexus. Fluid must be able to flow without restriction. If openings are blocked and flow is restricted for any reason, it can cause hydrocephalus (water on the brain).

Hydrocephalus causes enlargement of the head. Occurring in about 1 in 2000 babies, it is responsible for about 12% of all severe fetal malformations found at birth.

Hydrocephalus is often associated with spina bifida and occurs in about 33% of those cases. It is also associated with meningomyelocele and omphalocele (hernias of the spine and navel). Between 15 and 45 ounces of fluid (500 to 1500ml) can accumulate but much more than that has been found. Brain tissue is compressed by all this fluid, which is a major concern.

Diagnosis of the problem is best made by ultrasound. Hydrocephalus can usually be seen on ultrasound by 19 weeks of pregnancy. Occasionally it is found by routine exams and ôfeelingö your uterus.

In the past, nothing could be done about hydrocephalus until after delivery. Today, intrauterine therapyùtreatment while the fetus is still in the uterusùcan be performed in some cases.

There are two methods of treating hydrocephalus in utero (in the uterus). In one method, a needle passes through the mother's abdomen into the area of the baby's brain where fluid is collecting. Some fluid is removed to relieve pressure on the baby's brain. In another method, a small plastic tube is placed into the area where fluid collects in the baby's brain. This tube is left in place to drain fluid continuously.

Hydrocephalus is a high-risk problem. These procedures are highly specialized and should be performed only by someone experienced in the latest techniques. This requires consultation with a perinatologist specializing in high-risk pregnancies.

Changes in You

Feeling Dizzy

Feeling dizzy during pregnancy is a fairly common symptom, often caused by hypotension (low blood pressure). It doesn't usually appear until the second trimester but can occur earlier.

There are two common reasons for hypotension during pregnancy. It can be caused by the enlarging uterus putting pressure on your aorta and vena cava. This is called supine hypotension and occurs when you lie down. It can be alleviated or prevented by not sleeping or lying on your back.

The second cause of hypotension is rising rapidly from a sitting, kneeling or squatting position. This is called postural hypotension. Your blood pressure drops when you rise rapidly as blood leaves your brain because of gravity. This problem is cured by rising slowly from a sitting or lying position.

If you are anemic, you may feel dizzy, faint or tired, or you may fatigue easily. Your blood is checked routinely during pregnancy. Your doctor will tell you if you have anemia.

Pregnancy also affects your blood-sugar level. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel dizzy or faint. Many doctors routinely test pregnant women for problems with blood sugar during pregnancy, particularly if they have problems with dizziness. Most people can avoid or improve the problem by eating a balanced diet, by not skipping meals and by not going a long time without eating. It's a good idea to carry a piece of fruit or several crackers with you for a quick boost in blood sugar when you need it.

How Your Actions Affect Your Baby's Development

Allergies May Be Affected during Pregnancy

If you suffer from allergies, occasionally they get a little worse during pregnancy. To help deal with the problem, drink plenty of fluid. If you have allergy medication, don't assume it's safe to take. Ask your doctor about your medicine, whether prescription or nonprescription. Some types of allergy medication may not be advised. Many allergy medicines are combinations of several medicines, including aspirin. This advice also applies to nasal sprays.

Some women notice their allergies get better during pregnancy, and symptoms improve. Certain things they had trouble with before pregnancy are no longer a problem.

You Should also Know

Warning Signs during Pregnancy

Missy was nervous because she didn't think she would know if something important or serious happened during pregnancy. Most women have few, if any, problems during pregnancy. If you are concerned, read the list below that I shared with Missy. She told me it was helpful. This list includes the most important symptoms to be aware of during pregnancy. Call your doctor if you experience any of them:

ò vaginal bleeding

ò severe swelling of the face or fingers

ò severe abdominal pain

ò loss of fluid from the vagina, usually a gush of fluid,

but sometimes a trickle or continual wetness

ò a big change in the baby's movement or a lack of movement

ò high fever (more than 101.6F; 38.7C) or chills

ò severe vomiting or an inability to keep food or liquid down

ò blurring of vision

ò painful urination

ò a headache that won't go away or a severe headache

ò an injury or accident, such as a fall or automobile accident, that causes you concern about the well-being of your pregnancy

One way to get to know your doctor is to ask his or her opinion about your concerns. When you talk to your doctor, don't be embarrassed to ask questions about anything. Your doctor would rather know about problems while they are small.

If problems warrant it, you may be referred to a perinatologist, an obstetrician who has spent an additional 2 years or more in specialized training. These specialists have experience caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. They spend most of their time taking care of these women and their babies.

You may not have a high-risk pregnancy at the beginning of your pregnancy. However, if problems develop, you may need to be referred for consultation for a problem with you, such as premature labor, or a problem with the baby, such as spina bifida. A perinatologist may provide your care during pregnancy. You may be able to return to your regular doctor for your delivery.

If you are seeing a perinatologist, you may have to deliver your baby at a hospital other than the one you had chosen. This is usually because the hospital has specialized facilities or can administer specialized tests to you or your baby.

Electric Blanket Use

There has been controversy about use of electric blankets to keep you warm during pregnancy. There is still much disagreement and discussion about their safety. Some experts question whether they can cause health problems.

Electric blankets produce a low-level electromagnetic field. The developing fetus may be more sensitive than an adult to these electromagnetic fields.

Because researchers are uncertain about ôacceptable levelsö of exposure for a pregnant woman, the safest alternative at this time is not to use an electric blanket during pregnancy. There are many other ways to keep warm, such as down comforters and wool blankets. One of these is a better choice.

Previous Week > Contents > Next Week

 Home  |  Help  |  Feedback  |  Privacy Policy  |  Register  |  Contact Us  |  Visitor Survey  |  Subscribe to HealthMail  |  Advertising  |  About MDAdvice.com

Copyright © The Online Medical Network Inc. All rights reserved. All material provided by MDAdvice.com is intended for informative purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. Use of this site indicates your agreement with the Terms of Use.