Pregnancy Week 19: Mom's Hair, Fingernails, and Balance. Baby's Brown Fat and Vernix

You are almost at the halfway point by your nineteenth week of pregnancy. Your body has undergone many changes and it may take you some time to adjust to your new body shape. On the up side, your hair and nails look wonderful. Your baby is also preparing to be born by developing a temperature regulating fat during pregnancy week nineteen.

Pregnancy Week 19: Baby's Development, Vernix, and Brown Fat

Your baby weighs a half a pound and is six inches long by your nineteenth week of pregnancy. Vernix caseosa, a white coating, covers your baby's skin to protect it from the constant exposure to the amniotic fluid. Your baby will shed this before he is born; however, if he is born earlier than expected then your baby will still have the white vernix covering his skin.

Brown fat production starts. Brown fat is a special heat-producing fat that develops on the back of your baby's neck, behind his sternum, and around both kidneys. This brown fat will help your baby maintain his body temperature after he is born.

Pregnancy Week 19: Mom's Growing Belly and Balance

Your body is changing faster than you ever imagined it could. You may no longer be able to see your feet and have a little difficulty bending at the waist by your nineteenth week of pregnancy. You can adjust the way you walk by looking to your side. If you make some slight adjustments now, then it will be easier to adjust to your expanding belly.

Your center of gravity may also be off since you now have a bulge about the size of a cantaloupe in front of you. Take things a little slower than you normally would in order to get used to your new body.

By your nineteenth week of pregnancy your balance will be different then it was even a couple of weeks ago. Be cautious on stairs, sidewalks, and any icy surfaces. Also, do not carry too many items at once because that could easily throw off your balance.

Pregnancy Week 19: Mom's Hair and Fingernails

How is your hair? A head full of beautiful hair is a wonderful by-product of pregnancy. Your hair may be growing faster, is shinier, and fuller. Your fingernails may be longer, stronger, and look wonderful too.

All of this is brought to you by the hormones that are increasing your blood circulation to these areas. Your hair and nails are also benefiting from the prenatal vitamins that you have been faithfully taking since your first weeks of pregnancy.

The downside to your rapid hair growth is that you may be experiencing this hair growth on other unwanted places on your body. Pregnant women complain about excessive hair growth on their face, legs, and bikini area.

Enjoy a full head of hair and long nails during your pregnancy. Once the pregnancy hormones are gone, your hair will go through a shedding period and your nails will become more brittle until your body's hormones balance out again.

For more pregnancy weeks and fetal development you can read:
Pregnancy Week 15

Pregnancy Week 16

Pregnancy Week 17

Pregnancy Week 18

Click here to find more information on your pregnancy and baby's development.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Fit Pregnancy (2009). Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved: April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: fitpregnancy.com/calendar/40251887.html

Myers-Gorrie, Trula, Slone-McKinney, Emily, & Smith-Murray, Sharon (1998). Foundations of Maternal-Newborn Nursing (2^nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company.

What to Expect (2009). Weekly Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved:April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/landing.aspx