Pregnancy Week 19 vs Week 20
Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks
📊
Time Difference
1 week apart
🔄
Trimester
Both in 2nd trimester
Baby Size Comparison
Growth Progress
Week 19Mango
Week 20Banana
Your baby is approximately 49% through pregnancy
Week 19
📏
Length
6.0 inches
⚖️
Weight
8.5 ounces
🍎
Size Comparison
Mango
Week 20
📏
Length
6.5 inches
⚖️
Weight
10.2 ounces
🍎
Size Comparison
Banana
What Changes Between Week 19 and 20?
👶New Baby Developments
- ✓Baby is swallowing more amniotic fluid (up to several ounces per day)
- ✓Hair is growing on the scalp, and eyebrows and eyelashes are visible
- ✓Lanugo (fine, downy hair) covers entire body to regulate temperature
- ✓Baby can hear sounds clearly and may respond by moving or changing heart rate
- ✓Regular sleep and wake cycles are developing with distinct active and rest periods
🤰New or Changing Symptoms
- ✓Halfway through pregnancy - a major milestone to celebrate!
- ✓Visible baby movements that may be seen moving across your belly
- ✓Increased white or clear vaginal discharge (leukorrhea)
- ✓Possible varicose veins in legs due to increased blood volume and pressure
- ✓Shortness of breath as uterus pushes up on diaphragm
📈Key Changes Summary
Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.
Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.
Baby Development Milestones
Week 19 Development
- •Vernix caseosa (white, cheese-like protective coating) covers baby's skin to protect from amniotic fluid
- •Permanent teeth buds form deep in the gums behind the 20 baby teeth buds
- •Brain is developing specialized areas for the five senses: taste, smell, hearing, sight, and touch
- •Sensory development is in high gear with millions of neurons forming
- •Arms and legs are now proportional to body size
- •If female, the uterus and vagina are fully formed
Week 20 Development
- •Baby is swallowing more amniotic fluid (up to several ounces per day)
- •Hair is growing on the scalp, and eyebrows and eyelashes are visible
- •Lanugo (fine, downy hair) covers entire body to regulate temperature
- •Baby can hear sounds clearly and may respond by moving or changing heart rate
- •Regular sleep and wake cycles are developing with distinct active and rest periods
- •Meconium (first bowel movement) is accumulating in intestines
Common Symptoms
Week 19 Symptoms
- •Sharp round ligament pain with sudden movements, laughing, or coughing
- •Occasional dizziness, especially when standing up quickly (orthostatic hypotension)
- •Abdominal pain and achiness as uterus expands rapidly
- •Lower back pain and sciatica as baby puts pressure on sciatic nerve
- •Baby movements feel stronger and more like pokes and jabs
- •Increased appetite and specific food cravings
Week 20 Symptoms
- •Halfway through pregnancy - a major milestone to celebrate!
- •Visible baby movements that may be seen moving across your belly
- •Increased white or clear vaginal discharge (leukorrhea)
- •Possible varicose veins in legs due to increased blood volume and pressure
- •Shortness of breath as uterus pushes up on diaphragm
- •Increased sweating and body temperature
Nutrition Tips
Week 19 Nutrition
- •Eat foods rich in vitamin D (600 IU daily) like fortified milk, fatty fish, and egg yolks
- •Include omega-3 fatty acids (200-300mg DHA daily) from salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds
- •Stay hydrated with water throughout the day
- •Eat 5-6 small, frequent meals to avoid overwhelming your digestive system
- •Include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs at every meal
- •Eat foods high in zinc like beef, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas
Week 20 Nutrition
- •Eat iron-rich foods at every meal combined with vitamin C
- •Include vitamin C-rich foods (85mg daily) like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and broccoli for iron absorption
- •Stay hydrated with 10-12 glasses of water to support increased blood volume
- •Eat calcium-rich foods (1000mg daily) at every meal
- •Include foods rich in vitamin K like leafy greens for blood clotting
- •Eat magnesium-rich foods to support muscle and nerve function
⚕️When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
During weeks 19 to 20, contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- •Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- •Heavy bleeding or passing clots
- •Severe headache with vision changes
- •Persistent fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- •Sudden swelling of hands, face, or feet