20 Weeks Pregnant
20 Weeks Pregnant
At 20 weeks pregnant, you’ve reached the halfway point in the finishing line is within your sights. Your baby has grown from a miniscule poppy seed-sized embryo, to a strong 20 weeks old fetus with functioning body parts.
As the baby continues to grow, you will also get bigger. Your baby bump, by now, will likely be pronounced and loved ones around you will know that you are expecting.
There are still, though, many changes that you can expect to happen to your body – both internally and externally. This article will answer the most common questions asked at 20 weeks pregnant and attempt to give you peace of mind as to what to expect in the upcoming months.
Photo by Irina Murza on Unsplash
20 Weeks Pregnancy Symptoms
You’re well into the second trimester now and this “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy will have likely given you some relief from the early signs of pregnancy. Yet, some pregnancy symptoms persist, even at week 20. Here are the most common signs of pregnancy at week 20.
- Increased bodily fluids
A very common side-effect of the increased blood flow from pregnancy is an increase in bodily fluids. This can manifest itself in more sweat, mucus, and leukorrhea (vaginal discharge). It’s normal to experience this increase in bodily fluids at 20 weeks pregnant, so don’t worry if this is happening to you.
- Leg cramps
As the baby in your womb gets bigger and heavier, the weight you are carrying may fatigue your leg muscles more quickly. This can lead to leg cramps, which is a common pregnancy symptom for many women.
- Baby movements
A rather nice sign of pregnancy at week 20 is feeling your baby move around your body. Some may even experience this for the first time this week. It shows that your baby is strong and using its muscles to practice for when it’s in the outside world.
- Shortness of breath
As your baby grows bigger, it pushes against your lungs. This can lead to a shortness of breath and the only real way to alleviate this pregnancy symptom is to take it easy, rest often and put your feet up whenever you can.
- Heartburn
After being pregnant for 20 weeks, it’s probably that you’ve already experienced this symptom. High levels of progesterone are coursing through your body at this point, and this digestive-slowing hormone often causes heartburn and indigestion. Eat slowly to avoid this symptom and, if it persists or worsens, consult your doctor for advice in the best way to proceed.
Your Body at Week 20
You’ve probably noticed some weight gain at this point of the gestation period, which is good, as you should actively be trying to add 1 to 2 pounds a week to your overall weight, in order to accommodate the development of the fetus at 20 weeks old.
Your belly will also have increased in size from the previous weeks, as your uterus continually expands. The normal range in size for a baby bump varies greatly in size, so don’t be too concerned if your bump isn’t as big as someone else’s bump at 20 weeks pregnant. If you haven’t disclosed the fact that you’re pregnant yet, the people around to guess, though, as it is likely that you’re showing signs of pregnancy at week 20.
Baby Size at Week 20
Your baby at week 20 inside the womb will be looking considerably bigger and stronger than a week ago. It is now the same size as a grapefruit. It will measure between 15 to 17 centimetres in length and will weight around 300 grams.
Other changes are happening to the fetus at 20 weeks old. It is honing its reflexes on a daily basis and will now be sucking, swallowing, and breathing on a regular basis. Your baby’s arms and legs are getting stronger and bigger and he or she is looking more and more like a human.
Only a few weeks ago, the skin of your baby was completely translucent. Now, it will be in the process of developing different layers and become more pigmented. Your baby is also able to hear and recognise different sounds at 20 weeks pregnant. If a loud noise happens around you, it could wake your little grapefruit, leading to movements or a little kick.
Week 20 Pregnant Ultrasound
Your mid-pregnancy ultrasound could be scheduled for this week, which is a huge moment for many parents. This is the scan that can reveal the gender of your baby and determine a more accurate date for the arrival of your baby.
During the pregnancy scan, the technician will check the size of your baby’s heart, lungs, and other vital organs. They will also be able to detect any irregularities at this stage.
If everything is going smoothly at week 20 of your pregnancy, your stomach should feel free without any symptoms. You might, however, start to feel some baby movements as the fetus starts to get comfortable inside your womb.
A lot of women don’t experience signs of pregnancy as severe as they were in the first trimester, so you should expect the alleviation of pregnancy symptoms at week 20.
If you are experiencing some 20-weeks pregnant symptoms, you might feel, leg cramps, tiredness, light-headedness, and a shortness of breath.
Now that your baby is the size of a grapefruit, there will be little you can do to hide your baby bump from the people around you. The size of your uterus is growing in accordance to the growth of your baby, and you will have a noticeably bump in your belly.
Tips for Week 20 of Pregnancy
- Maintain a healthy diet
It is important to eat healthily during pregnancy, as your body needs to get a sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals to nourish the baby as it is developing.
- Eat smaller meals
Heartburn is a very real symptom of pregnancy that most women feel throughout the period of gestation. To ease the effects of heartburn and indigestion, it is a good idea to take smaller mouthfuls and eat less during mealtimes.
- Think about baby names
Whether you have decided to find out the gender of your baby or not, it can be a fun and comforting activity to start brainstorming names for your incoming baby.
