The Playbook

19 Weeks Pregnant: Book the Childbirth Class and Hospital Tour

By the Guide to Fatherhood editorial team. Last reviewed . 2 min read.

Checked against guidance from organizations like the AAP, CDC, ACOG and NHS (linked below). This is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.

Trimester2
Sizea mango
Length / weightabout 6 in (15.3 cm), about 8.5 oz (240 g)

A greasy white coating called vernix caseosa is forming to protect the baby's skin from the amniotic fluid, and sensory areas of the brain are developing fast.

Your to-do list this week

  • Book a childbirth class for both of you, ideally finishing a few weeks before the due date. Hospital classes fill up.
  • Sign up for a hospital tour (in person or virtual). Learn where to park and which door to use at 3 a.m.
  • Find out whether your hospital has a birth-partner or 'support person' policy: how many people, visiting hours, overnight stays.
  • Make her a nightly 'comfort kit': water, snack, pillows, phone charger, all within reach.
A conversation to have this week

"What kind of birth are you hoping for, and what scares you most about it?" Listen more than you talk. You're learning what being her advocate will mean.

The baby this week

About the size of a mango, the baby is developing a protective coating called vernix caseosa, a greasy, white layer that keeps the skin from getting chapped by the amniotic fluid (Mayo Clinic). Sensory areas of the brain for smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch are developing rapidly (NHS).

How she may be feeling

Growing pains, literally: round ligament twinges, backaches, and difficulty getting comfortable at night. Feeling the baby move more often is usually a bright spot.

Book the class now

Childbirth classes are one of the highest-value things you’ll do before the birth, and the good ones fill up. Aim for a series that finishes three to five weeks before the due date. Look for a class that covers:

  • The stages of labor and what each looks like from the outside.
  • Comfort measures you’ll actually do: counter-pressure, massage, position changes, breathing.
  • Pain relief options, from non-medical approaches to epidurals. ACOG has a helpful overview to read first.
  • Interventions and C-sections, so nothing is a total surprise.
  • Breastfeeding and newborn basics, often a separate class and worth it.

Hospitals usually offer classes, and there are independent and online options too.

Tour the hospital

A tour, even a virtual one, takes the mystery out of birth day. Things to find out:

  • Where to park, and which entrance to use after hours.
  • Where triage is, and whether you’re expected to call before coming in.
  • How many support people are allowed, and whether you can stay overnight.
  • What the hospital provides for the stay, so you can skip packing it.

Then have the conversation above. Being her advocate in labor starts with knowing what she wants before she’s in too much pain to explain it.

Frequently asked questions

Are childbirth classes worth it for dads?

Yes. Classes explain the stages of labor, comfort measures, pain relief options, and what happens in the hospital, so you can help instead of hovering. Many also cover breastfeeding and newborn care.

Sources

  1. Fetal development: The 2nd trimester, Mayo Clinic
  2. Week 19: Your baby and your body, NHS
  3. Medications for Pain Relief During Labor and Delivery, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

We link to the original source for every medical and safety claim. Guidance changes; if a source has been updated since our last review, the source wins. How we research.