19 Week Bumpdate

A week has passed already! Wow. Here I sit, 19 weeks pregnant. Baby B is "the size of a Zucchini" or, more accurately is about 6 inches long and around 8 ounces in weight. That protective layer or 'wax' called the vernix caseosa is now covering Baby's skin to protect them from the amniotic fluid. How cool!

SYMPTOMS

This I've had only significant change from my symptoms at 18 weeks. My headaches are still staying at bay and I'm so thankful for that! The one symptom that has arisen this week is Braxton Hicks contractions. If you're not familiar, Braxton Hicks are essentially practice contractions to prepare your uterus for actual labor. They tend to occur in the third trimester but sometimes women, especially those who have carried before, notice them in the second trimester. 

They are usually nothing to worry about, but with my first pregnancy they were actually successful in progressing my body toward labor. I had Braxton Hicks starting around week 27 or so and by week 29 they were happening about 10-20 minutes apart, all day, every day. (Yes, it was very uncomfortable!) By week 29 I had progressed to 3cm in dilation. I ended up going into labor prematurely at 34w + 6d and giving birth an hour after turning 35w. With all that said, I'm a bit nervous about having these contractions so early this time around. So far they aren't regular and I only get around 3-4 a day, so fingers crossed these are the "normal" kind! All in all, my pregnancy symptoms for week 19 include the following:

• Braxton Hicks Contractions
• Achy lower back
• frequent need to pee 
• restless sleep 

My "fun" symptoms include ever increasing fetal movement which has been so fun. Every once in a while I'll feel a kick strong enough to startle me! After all, Baby B is nearly half way done growing so they're getting pretty big and strong.


CRAVINGS/AVERSIONS

This week I've been craving a lot of milk products. I have at least one full cup of milk a day and I want a bowl of ice cream every night! We haven't had any in the house recently or I know I'd be indulging. (Maybe a trip to the store today is in order!) Although I still do enjoy my raw veggies, that particular craving has gone back to normal, so other than the milk and ice cream, my taste has pretty much stayed the same! I'm still not experiencing any aversions in taste or smell which I consider myself lucky for.  

BODY CHANGES

I'm still going strong with that bump of mine! I continue to use my Promise Prenatal Belly Oil every single night to help keep my stretching skin comfortable. 10/10 would recommend for any pregnant person! It smells like a tropical vacation.

A common symptom around this time is a change in skin color, or skin spots. So far I haven't noticed anything like that, and I will say I never did with my daughter Nora either. Maybe it's genetic or maybe I just haven't gotten to that point yet. I'm also still waiting to have the strong and healthy fingernails that are so often reported in pregnant people but for now I guess I'll just have to make do! 

PRODUCTS 

I consider myself pretty up to date and knowledgeable about the companies and products that are meant to support people during their pregnancies. That, and I've been through one other successful pregnancy that I believe I've learned a lot from. That being said, I've compiled a list of products I'm loving so far this time around and that I'm currently using in week 19: 

• Bao Bei Belly Band -- I'm 5"5', 130lbs at 19 weeks and wear a size S, for reference.
• Bao Bei Bralette -- I currently wear the XS/S but just ordered a M/L for later in pregnancy and nursing
• Promise Prenatal Belly Oil
• Pregnancy Pillow (I use this one from Amazon) 
• Maternity biker shorts (I wear these from H&M -- they're lightweight and great to sleep in!) 

LOOKING FORWARD

As I look forward to week 20 I'm in a little bit of disbelief that I'll be *technically* half way done with this pregnancy. It really is crazy how fast each week goes by. It's even crazier when I think about the fact that I very well might have already passed that half-way mark, depending on when I deliver.

There's still a lot of anxiety going forward that I've attached to the complications from my first pregnancy, but I'm working through those every day. I have my '20 week' scan the day I turn 21 weeks and I think seeing my babe on the screen and making sure their (and my own) measurements are accurate and normal will put my heart at ease a bit as well. I know a lot can change in a week so I hope you'll come back to see how things are going in week 20! 

That's a wrap for now! I can't wait to share more with you soon!

Love,

Taylor J

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