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You are halfway through your pregnancy and have only twenty weeks to go. Before now, twenty weeks must have seemed like a long time, but you now know just how short it is. In just a little time, you will be meeting your little one. Meanwhile, your baby is also preparing to arrive.
Your ultrasound this week should be able to identify your baby’s sex. So, this is a good time to have an ultrasound if you wish to know whether your baby is a boy or girl.
If you couldn’t feel your little one’s kicks and punches last week, you might this week. However, it can take a bit longer.
Your baby is still busy improving their sucking reflexes, and they might even use a thumb to practie.
Your ultrasound this week should be able to identify your baby’s sex. So, this is a good time to have an ultrasound if you wish to know whether your baby is a boy or girl.
If you couldn’t feel your little one’s kicks and punches last week, you might this week. However, it can take a bit longer.
Your baby is still busy improving their sucking reflexes, and they might even use a thumb to practie.
If you’ve had your anomaly, you’ll have noticed the incredible changes and developments your baby has undergone, especially when you compare it to the 12-week scan. If you were lucky, you might have even seen your baby wave or suck their thumb.
Watching your baby suck their thumb is not only adorable but also significant for their development. This action helps them develop the sucking reflex, which is essential for feeding after birth. Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly at this stage. They can now respond to different sounds, including your voice or songs. This is a great time to start singing and talking to your baby if you haven’t already, as it helps with their development.
Your baby is also becoming increasingly active. This activity might be more noticeable in the evening when you’re relaxed. You might even see or feel the movements externally.
Vernix, a creamy substance that protects the baby’s skin, is still being produced and secreted. It helps to protect the skin from the amniotic fluid.
Your baby is now producing meconium, a thick, tarry substance. This will be the baby’s first bowel movement after birth. Meconium is a harmless mix of amniotic fluid, digestive secretions, and dead skin cells, which collects in the baby’s bowels. Your baby is swallowing a lot more now, which helps develop and strengthen the digestive system.
The permanent second teeth are forming behind the milk teeth, preparing for future growth after the milk teeth come in and eventually fall out.
At this stage, the baby’s genitals are fully formed. If you’re having a boy, his testicles have developed but are still in the abdomen, awaiting the scrotum to finish growing before descending.
Your baby bump is likely becoming much more noticeable now. If you haven’t already, you might need to buy maternity clothes to accommodate your growing belly. As your uterus expands, it will push up towards your lungs, making your bump more prominent and potentially causing breathlessness.
Around this time, you will likely have your 20-week scan, also known as the anomaly scan. The sonographer will examine your baby’s growth, internal organs, and placenta. You can ask if they can determine your baby’s sex during this scan, but keep in mind that it’s not always possible depending on the baby’s position.
You might also start experiencing leg cramps, particularly at night. These muscular spasms are common in pregnancy and can disturb your sleep. If you get cramps, try rubbing the area vigorously and pulling your toes towards your ankle to stretch the muscle. Staying active during the day can help prevent night-time cramps.
you can obtain your MAT B1 . This is essential for claiming statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance. The MAT B1 is official proof of your pregnancy and can be obtained from your midwife or GP.
If you haven’t received your whooping cough vaccination yet, you might be given around this time. The NHS recommends that all pregnant women get this jab between 16 and 32 weeks to protect their newborn from whooping cough, which is dangerous for young babies. Getting vaccinated while pregnant will pass immunity to your baby through the placenta, protecting them until they can receive their whooping cough vaccine at two months old.
Your twenty-week belly is more pronounced, and your doctor will begin measuring your fundal height at each prenatal visit. This measurement, the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, should roughly correspond to your week of pregnancy in centimetres, with an allowance of +/‐ 2 centimetres difference. For example, at 28 weeks pregnant, your belly should measure between 26 and 30 centimetres.
The measurement should increase by about a centimetre each week. If your fundal height is significantly higher or lower than expected, it could indicate a growth issue, having too little or too much amniotic fluid or multiple foetuses. In such cases, further testing may be required.
If your fundal height is much higher or lower than expected, it could signal a potential growth issue, an abnormal amount of amniotic fluid, or the presence of multiple foetuses. In these situations, additional tests may be needed to determine the cause.
Constipation during pregnancy is common and is caused by hormonal changes, reduced activity levels, and an expanding uterus. This can lead to other issues, such as haemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum and anus.
Drink plenty of water to relieve constipation, consume high-fibre foods like whole grains, and exercise regularly. You may also consult your healthcare provider, who might recommend using a stool softener, taking magnesium, or switching to prenatal vitamins with less iron.
This condition can result from weight gain and fluid retention, but a hormone called relaxin also plays a role. Relaxin relaxes ligaments and joints to facilitate your baby’s passage through the pelvis during birth.
However, it also loosens ligaments throughout your body, including in your feet, causing them to spread. To increase your comfort, you might need to go up a shoe size and try propping your feet up on a pillow or footrest as often as possible.
Cravings for certain foods can vary greatly from one pregnancy to another. Despite common beliefs, pickles or ice cream cravings aren’t related to your baby’s nutritional needs.
A 2014 study examined various theories about cravings and found that the nutritional deficit idea doesn’t hold up, as most cravings during pregnancy are for sweets and high-fat foods, which lack essential vitamins and minerals. it’s okay to enjoy your favourite foods in moderation.
However, if you experience unusual cravings such as chewing on ice, laundry starch, or clay, contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately. These cravings could be a sign of a disorder called pica, which can lead to severe nutritional deficits during pregnancy
Vaginal discharge can increase due to heightened blood flow and hormonal changes. Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy is usually milky and may have a slight odour. However, some types of vaginal discharge are unusual. A green or yellow discharge with a strong odour is not normal.
You should also be alert for a stream or steady trickle of water, which could indicate premature labour or a tear in the amniotic sac. If you notice this, contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately.
Stretching skin can be itchy! It’s common to experience itchiness as your baby bump and breasts grow. To relieve this, moisturise regularly. If the itching becomes very intense, consult your doctor or healthcare professional. They might prescribe medication to help and will also want to rule out cholestasis, a liver condition that specifically causes itching on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Your growing baby is putting extra pressure on your stomach at this stage. Pregnancy hormones can also cause the valve at the entrance to your stomach to relax, allowing stomach acids to travel up the oesophagus. Avoid lying down after meals and rest with your head elevated at night to relieve this discomfort.
Eating smaller meals slowly throughout the day can also help. If you know which foods trigger heartburn or indigestion, it’s best to avoid them. If these issues are frequent, your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help.
Early in your pregnancy, you might feel short of breath due to higher levels of the hormone progesterone. As your pregnancy advances and your baby grows, it takes up more space, limiting your lungs’ expansion.
While your baby continues to get enough oxygen, shortness of breath can be uncomfortable for you. To help your lungs, stand up straight with good posture and slow down your movements. Sleeping propped up on pillows and lifting your hands over your head can also alleviate pressure on your rib cage.
High energy during pregnancy is one of those rare, positive symptoms you might experience. You may notice a significant boost in your energy levels, making you feel more active and motivated. This period is often accompanied by an increased libido, which can be a welcome change. Make the most of this time to accomplish tasks and enjoy activities, as this surge in energy and libido is likely to decrease again in the third trimester.
Constipation during pregnancy is common and is caused by hormonal changes, reduced activity levels, and an expanding uterus. This can lead to other issues, such as haemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum and anus.
Drink plenty of water to relieve constipation, consume high-fibre foods like whole grains, and exercise regularly. You may also consult your healthcare provider, who might recommend using a stool softener, taking magnesium, or switching to prenatal vitamins with less iron.
This condition can result from weight gain and fluid retention, but a hormone called relaxin also plays a role. Relaxin relaxes ligaments and joints to facilitate your baby’s passage through the pelvis during birth.
However, it also loosens ligaments throughout your body, including in your feet, causing them to spread. To increase your comfort, you might need to go up a shoe size and try propping your feet up on a pillow or footrest as often as possible.
Cravings for certain foods can vary greatly from one pregnancy to another. Despite common beliefs, pickles or ice cream cravings aren’t related to your baby’s nutritional needs.
A 2014 study examined various theories about cravings and found that the nutritional deficit idea doesn’t hold up, as most cravings during pregnancy are for sweets and high-fat foods, which lack essential vitamins and minerals. it’s okay to enjoy your favourite foods in moderation.
However, if you experience unusual cravings such as chewing on ice, laundry starch, or clay, contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately. These cravings could be a sign of a disorder called pica, which can lead to severe nutritional deficits during pregnancy.
Vaginal discharge can increase due to heightened blood flow and hormonal changes. Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy is usually milky and may have a slight odour. However, some types of vaginal discharge are unusual. A green or yellow discharge with a strong odour is not normal.
You should also be alert for a stream or steady trickle of water, which could indicate premature labour or a tear in the amniotic sac. If you notice this, contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately.
Stretching skin can be itchy! It’s common to experience itchiness as your baby bump and breasts grow. To relieve this, moisturise regularly. If the itching becomes very intense, consult your doctor or healthcare professional. They might prescribe medication to help and will also want to rule out cholestasis, a liver condition that specifically causes itching on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Your growing baby is putting extra pressure on your stomach at this stage. Pregnancy hormones can also cause the valve at the entrance to your stomach to relax, allowing stomach acids to travel up the oesophagus. Avoid lying down after meals and rest with your head elevated at night to relieve this discomfort.
Eating smaller meals slowly throughout the day can also help. If you know which foods trigger heartburn or indigestion, it’s best to avoid them. If these issues are frequent, your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help.
Early in your pregnancy, you might feel short of breath due to higher levels of the hormone progesterone. As your pregnancy advances and your baby grows, it takes up more space, limiting your lungs’ expansion.
While your baby continues to get enough oxygen, shortness of breath can be uncomfortable for you. To help your lungs, stand up straight with good posture and slow down your movements. Sleeping propped up on pillows and lifting your hands over your head can also alleviate pressure on your rib cage.
High energy during pregnancy is one of those rare, positive symptoms you might experience. You may notice a significant boost in your energy levels, making you feel more active and motivated. This period is often accompanied by an increased libido, which can be a welcome change. Make the most of this time to accomplish tasks and enjoy activities, as this surge in energy and libido is likely to decrease again in the third trimester.
This week, watch out for Braxton-Hicks contractions. These contractions can start as early as the twentieth week as your body prepares for labour. These contractions are usually nothing to worry about as they are mild and unpredictable, but alert your doctor if they come at regular intervals. They could be a sign of early labour, a very serious birth complication.
You should stay away from spicy food this week and probably in the next to come. Heartburn and indigestion are common pregnancy symptoms in this stage, and eating spicy food can aggravate the heartburn.
Vaginal discharge will also increase until childbirth; it is normal, but alert your doctor if the discharge is a weird colour or smells bad. You should also be alert for a stream or steady trickle of water, which could indicate premature labour or a tear in the amniotic sac. If you notice this, contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately.
It’s crucial to ensure you get enough nutrients in your diet, especially iron, which is essential for producing haemoglobin in your baby and preventing anaemia, low birth weight, and premature delivery. During pregnancy, you should aim for a daily iron intake of 27 to 30 mg.
This is particularly important as your blood volume increases to support your baby. Excellent sources of iron include lean red meat, pork, dried beans, spinach, dried fruits, wheat germ, oatmeal, and iron-fortified grains.
During pregnancy, your muscles and ligaments stretch and loosen, making them more susceptible to injury. Keep this in mind when exercising and overstretching. If a movement causes pain, stop immediately. Even if a stretch feels comfortable, now isn’t the time to test your limits with challenging movements like doing the splits.
Avoid lifting heavy objects and twisting while lifting. Back aches and strains are common during pregnancy, and preventing an injury is easier than recovering from one. If you feel sore, try natural remedies like warm baths or showers, massages, heat packs, and gentle exercise. If your backache persists, consider seeing a physiotherapist who can provide specific exercises to strengthen and support the muscles in your spine.
Haemorrhoids can be prevented by maintaining a high-fibre diet and drinking plenty of fluids. Bran-based cereals, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and beans are beneficial. Avoid straining during bowel movements or sitting on the toilet for extended periods. If you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, don’t delay. Ignoring your body’s signals can lead to long-term issues, so it’s important to go when necessary.
When selecting makeup and skincare products, opt for those labelled “non-comedogenic,” “unscented,” and “oil-free.” These products are less likely to add excess oils or clog pores, which is beneficial if you have oily skin. However, if your skin tends to be dry, choose products that provide ample moisture to keep your skin hydrated.
It’s crucial to ensure you get enough nutrients in your diet, especially iron, which is essential for producing haemoglobin in your baby and preventing anaemia, low birth weight, and premature delivery. During pregnancy, you should aim for a daily iron intake of 27 to 30 mg.
This is particularly important as your blood volume increases to support your baby. Excellent sources of iron include lean red meat, pork, dried beans, spinach, dried fruits, wheat germ, oatmeal, and iron-fortified grains.
During pregnancy, your muscles and ligaments stretch and loosen, making them more susceptible to injury. Keep this in mind when exercising and overstretching. If a movement causes pain, stop immediately. Even if a stretch feels comfortable, now isn’t the time to test your limits with challenging movements like doing the splits.
Avoid lifting heavy objects and twisting while lifting. Back aches and strains are common during pregnancy, and preventing an injury is easier than recovering from one. If you feel sore, try natural remedies like warm baths or showers, massages, heat packs, and gentle exercise. If your backache persists, consider seeing a physiotherapist who can provide specific exercises to strengthen and support the muscles in your spine.
Haemorrhoids can be prevented by maintaining a high-fibre diet and drinking plenty of fluids. Bran-based cereals, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and beans are beneficial. Avoid straining during bowel movements or sitting on the toilet for extended periods. If you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, don’t delay. Ignoring your body’s signals can lead to long-term issues, so it’s important to go when necessary.
When selecting makeup and skincare products, opt for those labelled “non-comedogenic,” “unscented,” and “oil-free.” These products are less likely to add excess oils or clog pores, which is beneficial if you have oily skin. However, if your skin tends to be dry, choose products that provide ample moisture to keep your skin hydrated.
You and your partner might have already picked a theme for the baby’s room, but if not, now is a great time to start planning. Regardless of whether you know the baby’s gender, you can begin these preparations. You can help by painting the nursery, assembling the crib or bassinet, shopping for special baby items, and clearing out closets or storage spaces to reduce clutter. The most important thing is to support her in any way you can.
You can also help your pregnant partner if her feet are swollen by encouraging her to elevate her feet.
You can support your pregnant partner by encouraging her to elevate her feet if they become swollen. Provide a comfortable pillow for her to prop up her feet and offer a relaxing foot bath at the end of the day to help reduce the swelling.
This week, your baby weighs about 300 grams and measures 10.5 inches. Your baby can be compared to a banana this week. Your baby’s height and weight have significantly increased in these past weeks, and there is only more growth to come in the weeks to come.
At around 20 weeks pregnant, you might start feeling your baby’s movements for the first time. These early movements often feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or rumblings rather than distinct kicks. Whether you’ve just begun to notice them or they’re becoming stronger this week, it’s a sign your baby is active. These flutters will likely become more noticeable kicks as you progress into your third trimester.
It’s natural to have concerns about your baby’s well-being at 20 weeks. Your healthcare provider is there to support you and address any questions. Around this time, typically between 18 and 20 weeks, you will be offered an ultrasound scan. This scan checks that your pregnancy is progressing well and your baby is developing normally. It’s a key milestone in monitoring your baby’s health.
Although your baby is growing rapidly, their vital organs and systems will keep developing and continue gaining weight throughout the second and third trimesters. A pregnancy is considered full-term between 39 weeks and 40 weeks and six days. Babies born between 37 and 38 weeks and six days are considered early term. Babies born before 37 weeks are preterm and have a higher risk of health complications.
You’ve made it through the first trimester, and you might notice a resurgence in your energy levels, making you feel more robust. The increased oestrogen and progesterone can heighten your sex drive so that things might be heating up between you and your partner. However, pregnancy has challenges, as your body is working hard. You may experience some bothersome symptoms like swelling, constipation, itchy skin, heartburn, shortness of breath and other discomforts.
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Definition of Term Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2013/11/definition-of-term-pregnancy
2. American Pregnancy Association. 20 weeks Pregnant. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/week-by-week/20-weeks-pregnant/
3. Emma’s Diary. 20 Weeks Pregnant. https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/pregnancy-week-by-week/pregnancy-week-20
4. Let’s Talk Birth and Baby. https://www.letstalkbirthandbaby.co.uk/blog-posts/20-weeks-pregnant
5. NHS. Whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/whooping-cough-vaccination/
6. Now Baby. Week 20 of Pregnancy. https://www.nowbaby.co.uk/blog/week-20/
7. Orloff, N.C. and Hormes, J.M., 2014. Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research. Frontiers in psychology, 5, p.111321. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01076/full
8. Peter, J.R., Ho, J.J., Valliapan, J. and Sivasangari, S., 2015. Symphysial fundal height (SFH) measurement in pregnancy for detecting abnormal fetal growth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9). https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008136.pub3/abstract
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