20 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect?

20 weeks pregnant is four months and for about two weeks. During week 20, you’ve hit the halfway point of your pregnancy.

Baby’s Growth During Pregnancy – Week 20

This is a crucial time for the development of your baby’s senses. The nerve cells that will help the baby to understand the world around them are growing in specialized areas of his brain. Your baby’s body is also being protected by lanugo, which may look wrinkled at the time of birth, but the sensitive skin is certainly being protected from the amniotic fluid.  

What is the Baby’s Size?

At 20 weeks pregnant, a baby is the size of a banana. The baby weighs about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches from crown to rump. 

20-week Symptoms of Pregnancy

• Leg cramps: Cramps can be a sign of dehydration. It is a reminder to keep yourself hydrated and carry water everywhere.

• Swollen feet and/or hands: Swelling can be an annoying pregnancy symptom. It’s nothing to worry about as long as the swelling isn’t sudden or severe. If does look severe, tell your doctor right away.

• Heartburn: The hormones are just going haywire. Try to pay attention to foods that are triggering your symptoms and try to avoid them.  You may even experience a lot of gas and indigestion. Also, you must talk to your doctor about what stomach remedies are safe. Stock up on some antacids, which are doubly awesome because they have lots of much-needed calcium. Consult your doctor before taking anything.

• Vaginal discharge: You can expect the discharge to keep increasing until delivery. It’s just your body’s way of keeping the area clear of bacteria. But let your doctor know if the discharge is yellow, green, or foul smelling.

• Heartburn and/or indigestion: As baby starts to crowd your digestive system, it might not work exactly as it did pre-pregnancy. Watch what you’re eating and avoid acidic and spicy foods as they can cause tummy troubles.

• Shortness of breath: As your uterus expands, it pushes against your lungs, causing you to feel short of breath. Don’t push yourself too hard, and sit down and rest if you feel yourself gasping for air.

20 Weeks Pregnant Belly

Starting around 20 weeks pregnant, your doctor will measure the fundal height at each prenatal visit. Fundal height is the distance from the pubic bone to the top of your uterus. In centimeters, the fundal height should match your week of pregnancy, give or take two centimeters. 

If your weight gain to rate is higher or lower than that, talk to your doctor about whether or not it’s cause for concern. Sudden or rapid weight gain could be a sign of preeclampsia—which needs to be treated ASAP.

20 Weeks Ultrasound

Your 20-week fetus now has working taste buds. They are gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day and that’s significantly more than before.

If you haven’t already had your mid-pregnancy ultrasound, you will very soon. This prenatal test happens between weeks 18 and 22. This is a detailed 20-week ultrasound—you’ll see parts of the baby you might not have dreamed possible, including the chambers of his or her heart, the kidneys, and the brain hemispheres. The technician and OB will look to see that everything seems to be developing properly and that baby’s growth is on track.

If you’re 20 weeks pregnant with twins, the ultrasound technician will check to see if babies’ heads are approximately the same size. In case they aren’t, more measurements will be taken to be sure neither twin is having growth problems.

 

PREGNANCY CHECKLIST AT 20-WEEKS PREGNANCY

 

• Maintaining good posture is essential throughout pregnancy to prevent aches and pains.

 

• Going for a dental check-up in case of extremely swollen or bleeding gums 
• Trying to remain in quiet, peaceful surroundings as your baby is now developed enough to respond to sounds, and sudden loud noises are likely to upset him. You can even play soothing music to keep the baby calm.
• Try yoga and some light exercises.

Also Read: 19 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect?