20 Weeks Pregnant
Week 20 of your pregnancy signifies the middle of your second trimester, as well as the middle of your pregnancy. Congratulations if you’ve survived the pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, morning sickness and nausea! However, now that you’ve reached the peak and its all ‘downhill’ from here, there are many more negative things such as pain, that you will be facing in the weeks and months to come. But since you’re still in week 20, it’s important you embrace all that is good.
Your Baby’s Development
At 11 ounces and a little more than 7 ½ inches long, your baby is growth has slowed in recent past weeks, however it will pick back up from the 20th week forward. You’re probably feeling movements made by your baby more frequently as he or she tests the boundaries within the womb walls. The lungs are not yet mature, however the baby is breathing. A dark green sticky substance called meconium is being produced. Meconium consists of cell loss and amniotic fluid that’s been swallowed with digestive secretions. Lanugo (fine hair) continues to cover the body and the hair on the scalp is growing quickly. The ears are fully functioning on their own now, so it’s important to keep yourself in calm and quiet environments as your baby tries to sleep for 20 hours a day.
Changes in Your Body
Most women who have smaller body frames begin to experience trouble breathing at this point. The growth of the baby is restricting internal organs within your body, making it hard to breathe. The top of your uterus is parallel with your belly button, and you’ve probably gained close to 15 lbs. From this week on, you can expect to gain ½ to 1 pound per week. Your waistline continues to expand, and indigestion, heartburn, itching and constipation occur more frequently. You’re also experiencing more and more trips to the restroom at this point. You need to continue to incorporate iron into your diet, as your baby is stealing most of it from you. Dark fruits and vegetables, eggs, chicken, dried fruits, wheat germ, oatmeal, spinach and other leafy vegetables are all good sources of iron. If you do not up your intake of iron, you can go into premature labor and cause other birth defects such as anemia.
Week 20 Tips
Try starting a birthing plan, if you haven’t done so yet. Give details about your preferences for the birth of the baby, and which procedures you’d like followed in case of emergencies. This will allow you to feel more in control if something does go wrong, or if the birth isn’t routine. You should also look into getting a baby book, or a journal and start writing down your feelings, emotions, movements of the baby, etc. This can help you reflect later down the road to help you realize how far you’ve come. Continue exercising regularly and eating a well balanced diet to ensure you and your baby stay healthy.
