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Pregnancy

      19 weeks pregnant

      Grilled Meat

      19 weeks pregnant

      Body building

      Your baby is now developing one of their most unique human features: their fingerprints. They are also developing the means to become more physically coordinated. It’s still important that you get enough zinc in your diet to promote your baby’s healthy development.

      Foetus Pregnancy Week 19

      Your baby's development at week 19

      On the move in week 19

      As you head into week 19, your baby is forming their own unique set of fingerprints. Both their fingernails and toenails are also continuing to grow and their hands can now make a firm grip.

      Because your baby’s blood vessels are visible in their skin, it has a red appearance, and vernix – a creamy-white protective coating – is developing.

      …your baby is forming their own unique set of fingerprints.

      A fatty substance called ‘myelin’ is also forming around your baby’s nerves. This insulates the nerves, supporting the motor neuron connections between their brain and their muscles, enabling movements to be more coordinated. Although, since your baby’s body won’t have formed much myelin by the time they are born, their movements will still appear jerky and uncoordinated.

      By week 20, you’re likely to have an anomaly scan. This is to check that your baby is growing and developing healthily. Your midwife or doctor will give you more information about this. The HSE also offers in-depth advice about this routine screening.

      Complete pregnancy nutrition from A to Zinc

      Eating a balanced diet while you’re pregnant is more important than ever. It should include good sources of zinc, a trace element with a number of vital functions. Zinc helps your body process the fat, protein and carbohydrates in food in order to nourish your growing baby.

      During pregnancy the Recommeneded Daily Allowance (RDA) is  10mg per day, which you should be able to get from your diet.

      NEXT STEPS

      Add some of these zinc-rich foods to your shopping list:

      • Red meat such as beef and lamb
      • Poultry, especially turkey
      • Wholegrain breads and cereals
      • Nuts
      • Milk, cheese and eggs
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      Your baby, this week

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      Questions about feeding and nutrition?

      Our nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.

      Your baby, this week

      Discover the science behind your baby's developments, week-by-week

      Join now for free

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