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How Is Your Baby Developing When You Are 20 Weeks Pregnant?
Your little one is growing fast and starting to look more like a tiny human! Take a look at your baby’s development at this stage:- Size and appearance: Your baby is about 25.6cm long and weighs around 312 grams. They’re measured from head to heel now since their legs are no longer curled up. Their skin is covered in a white, greasy layer called vernix. It keeps their skin soft and protected while they float around in the amniotic fluid and will also help during birth.
- Movement and reflexes: Your baby is kicking, punching, and even sucking their tiny thumb, all to practise the sucking reflex they’ll use for feeding after birth. You might start feeling little flutters or bubble-like movements, known as “quickening.” Some babies even get hiccups at this stage.
- Organ development: The brain, heart, kidneys, and spine are developing rapidly. If you’re having a girl, her uterus is fully formed, and she has about 7 million eggs in her ovaries. That number will drop to about 1 to 2 million by the time she’s born. If you’re having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend but are still inside his abdomen.
- Hearing and immunity: Your baby’s ears are developed enough to pick up sounds from outside the womb. Their immune system is also getting stronger as they start producing antibodies like IgG and IgM.
- Taste buds: Your baby’s taste buds are forming. They might be tasting molecules from the food you eat through the amniotic fluid.
What to Expect When You Are 20 Weeks Pregnant?
Here’s what you might be experiencing:- Baby bump: Your belly is becoming more visible now, and the top of your uterus has reached the level of your belly button. You might notice a dark line (linea nigra) running down your stomach. Your belly button might start to flatten or even pop out a little, and it can feel sensitive when touched.
- Hair and nails: Pregnancy hormones can make your hair feel thicker and help it grow faster. Your nails might seem stronger, too.
- Itchy skin: As your belly and breasts stretch, it’s normal to feel itchy. Using a gentle moisturiser or a cool pack can give relief.
- Lower back pain: As your belly grows and hormones loosen your joints, it’s normal to feel some back pain
- Leg cramps: You might suddenly get sharp pains in your calves. These are muscle spasms. Massaging the area or flexing your foot by pulling your toes toward your ankle can help ease the pain.
- Heartburn and indigestion: Your expanding uterus can press on your stomach, causing heartburn or indigestion. Eating smaller meals more often instead of large ones usually helps.
- Constipation: Hormones and your growing uterus can slow your digestion, making you feel constipated. This can sometimes lead to haemorrhoids too.
- Other symptoms: You might also experience nasal stuffiness, light-headedness, dizziness, mild headaches, bleeding gums, or slight swelling in your feet and ankles (oedema).
What to Know About the 20 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound?
You might have your anomaly scan this week. It is a detailed ultrasound that checks your baby’s growth and development. Here’s what the scan covers:- Checks the size, position, and structure of your baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, spine, face, and limbs.
- Examines the placenta’s location and the amount of amniotic fluid.
- Look for any structural abnormalities in the bones or organs.
- Takes about 30 to 45 minutes and gives you a much clearer view of your baby than the earlier scans.
Tips to Follow When 20 Weeks Pregnant
You’re halfway through your pregnancy now, so let’s make sure you’re feeling your best:- Eat a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fibre-rich foods to keep your digestion smooth and prevent constipation.
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and support digestion.
- Try to get around 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.
- Sleep on your left side with a pregnancy pillow for better comfort and blood flow to your placenta.
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FAQs on Halfway There! Your 20-Week Pregnancy Checkpoint
- Can birth defects happen after 20 weeks?
Yes, birth defects can still happen after 20 weeks. But the majority of major structural defects form during the first trimester. - What are the signs of Down syndrome on a 20-week ultrasound?
Signs may include certain physical markers like a shorter femur, thickened neck skin (nuchal fold), or heart and kidney differences.
