Pregnancy Week 19

Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom. --Harriette Hartigan

What happens to you?

Medical research indicates that participants in childbirth classes tend to have easier, less stressful births. If you have not looked into childbirth classes, it's a good time to do so. Childbirth education is a good way of preparing yourself for labor and delivery.

There are many different types of classes available, and many different types of teachers. Call around to see if there are any classes in your area that are designed for birthmothers who may be placing their child for adoption. If you don't find any, talk with the instructors of various classes to see which ones would be more sensitive to your situation.

Childbirth classes teach a variety of important things. You can expect to be taught topics such as:

• Making pregnancy comfortable
• Labor support suggestions
• Breathing for labor
• Stages of labor
• Pain medications in labor
• Hospital policies
• Birth center policies
• Cesarean delivery
• Postpartum recovery

What happens to the baby?

The baby will increase in weight to 8 ounces (227 grams) this week. The female fetus's ovaries now contain primitive egg cells. Lanugo covers the baby's body. This fine hair will remain until birth or soon after.

Permanent teeth buds are forming behind the already formed milk teeth (baby teeth) buds.

Return to Pregnancy Calendar or continue to Week 20