Your baby at week twenty of pregnancy
Now half way through gestation, your baby is similar in size to a small melon! Your baby is now equipped with the external body parts necessary for reproduction, this means you might be able to tell the sex of your baby at the next scan!
Although if you do not wish to know the gender of your child until birth, be sure to let your practitioner know prior to the scan, so they don’t accidentally give anything away!
Your little one’s brain has been rapidly developing which will make your baby more responsive to your activities; they will also be aware of sounds in the environment surrounding the uterus (both internal and external to your body) and they can even taste the amniotic fluid.
Your body at week twenty of pregnancy
Congratulations, you have made it half way through your pregnancy! By now your uterus has tripled in height and the very top of your uterus in line with your belly button. As of this week, your womb will grow approximately a centimeter a week until your little bundle of joy arrives!
Because of ligaments either side of your uterus stretching, you might find that your expanding bump is aggravating you by causing tummy pains, and also pains in your hip, abdomen or groin area, this is normal, but seek medical advice should the pains become significantly uncomfortable. If this is the case you may be suffering from a condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction which is the result of too much relaxin loosening your ligaments and causing above normal discomfort.
You may notice an increase in the rate of your nail growth and the growth of hair all over your body. This is due to an increase of blood circulation depositing nutrients in these areas.
What you may be feeling at week twenty of pregnancy
A mental shift happens at around twenty weeks as it becomes evident that birth is unavoidable! It is natural to have concerns over this especially if it is your first time or if you have had previous complications. A small percentage of women have a serious fear of giving birth and a sense of significant anxiety can build up as the weeks go by. If this is how you are beginning to feel speak to your doctor about your concerns and explore the possibility of antenatal counselling.
If you have had a scan at twenty weeks you will start to feel a stronger connection with your baby. You will be amazed at the detail you will be able to see of your child and how they are moving about in your womb, even if you have not yet felt it yourself.
You may find yourself taking particular care as you go about your daily life and the strong instinct to protect your baby bump will prompt you react quickly to any situation of threat such as falling and putting your hands out of putting your hands over your bump if people jostle too close to you.
Common symptoms at week twenty of pregnancy
- Dizziness
- Swollen gums and sensitivity
- Nosebleeds due to increased blood-flow and sensitive nasal passages
- Shortness of breath
- Body aches
- Stretch marks
- Skin pigmentation
- Anxiety about your pregnancy and the birth
- Anxiety about your role as a parent and the changes that will bring to your family
Tips for week twenty of pregnancy
- Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone in your pregnancy. Your due date may still seem far away, but you’re making steady progress toward the finish line. Make sure you take care of yourself by eating well, exercising safely and sleeping with good routine. Soon all those flutters will turn into kicks and rolls, and you may find it a little harder to rest.
- If you have a scan at this point you may wish to choose your partner or a trusted person to come with you to experience this special moment. Be sure to ask for a photograph of the ultrasound scan this is available.
- Make sure the radiographer is clear that you do not wish them to reveal the sex of your baby if you prefer to wait until delivery for this surprise!
If you have any symptoms that concern you it is important to consult your doctor as soon as you can.