19 weeks pregnant: bleeding gums, falls and first kicks

At 19 weeks pregnant, KKH says you'll probably have felt your baby move, and from now on those movements tell you something about how your baby is doing. Your gums may also bleed when you brush, which is common in pregnancy. The thing to take seriously this week is a hard fall.

Movements: your new check-in

Fetal movements are a good way to keep an eye on your baby's wellbeing, KKH says. How strong they feel varies from woman to woman and depends on:

• where your baby is lying
• the stage of your pregnancy
• where the placenta is

There's no fixed number of kicks to count each day at this stage. By about 27 weeks, KKH says, the kicks become more constant and easier to keep track of, and few or no movements from then on means seeking medical advice straight away. If you haven't felt anything yet, that can still be normal: KKH says first movements can come anywhere from 16 to 22 weeks.

Bleeding gums and the dentist

Pregnancy hormones make gingivitis, or inflamed gums, more likely, and your gums can bleed when you brush from about the second month. If the inflammation gets severe and reaches the bone, it's called periodontitis, and teeth can loosen.

• Brush after each meal, floss daily and use mouthwash.
• Routine dental check-ups are safe in pregnancy, KKH says; our guide to dental care during pregnancy covers X-rays, fillings and CHAS subsidies.
• Avoid amalgam (silver) fillings, because of the risk of mercury to your baby.
• Put off major procedures such as bleaching until after delivery.
• KKH's planner lists unnecessary X-rays, such as dental X-rays, among the pregnancy don'ts.

Falls, and what to do after one

A fall in pregnancy can cause bleeding inside the womb and trigger early labour, especially if the womb takes a direct knock, KKH warns. After a serious fall, get help immediately. Low-heeled, comfortable shoes help prevent one, and our guide to pregnancy clumsiness has a fall-proofing checklist and what to do after a fall.

Week 19 at a glance

Our pregnancy discomforts guide covers other second-trimester niggles, and safe exercise in pregnancy lists activities with a low risk of falling.

When to call the hospital

A serious fall, bleeding, fluid leaking, painful tightening of the womb, chest pain, breathlessness or fainting need a same-day check.

At KKH, early pregnancy problems such as bleeding and tummy pain go to the Urgent O&G Centre, a 24-hour walk-in centre at Basement 1 of the Women's Tower. For minimal bleeding or mild pain under 16 weeks, KKH's Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit offers appointments the same or next working day. Booked elsewhere? Call that hospital's O&G clinic, or go to its emergency department after hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to see the dentist at 19 weeks pregnant?

Yes. KKH says routine dental care is safe in pregnancy. Avoid amalgam fillings and save bleaching for after the birth.

Why are my gums bleeding at 19 weeks pregnant?

Pregnancy hormones make gum inflammation more likely, KKH says. Brush after meals, floss and use mouthwash.

I haven't felt my baby move at 19 weeks. Is that normal?

It can be. KKH says first movements usually come between 16 and 22 weeks, and first-time mums often notice them later. Mention it at your next visit if you're worried.

19 weeks pregnant is how many months?

About four and a half months, counted from the first day of your last period.

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