20 Weeks Pregnant : What to Expect
Reviewed by Dr. David B. Schwartz, OB/GYN
Week 20 of your pregnancy signifies the middle of your second trimester, as well as the middle of your pregnancy. Congratulations, you’ve survived the pregnancy symptoms so far such as fatigue, morning sickness, and nausea. You are probably starting to feel better at this point, but you may still experience some symptoms like fatigue and pregnancy pains. It’s important to embrace all that is good, and there are many exciting developmental changes happening with your baby.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 20 Weeks
Most women who have smaller body frames begin to experience trouble breathing at this point. At 20 weeks pregnant the growth of the baby is restricting internal organs within your body, making it feel 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 symptoms like indigestion, heartburn, itching, and constipation probably occur more frequently. You’re also experiencing more and more trips to the restroom at this point. You need to continue to incorporate plenty of iron into your diet, as your baby is using much of the iron that you take in. Dark fruits and vegetables, eggs, chicken, dried fruits, wheat germ, oatmeal, spinach, and other leafy vegetables are all good sources of iron. A shortage of iron can cause various problems with your pregnancy, including anemia and/or premature labor in some cases.
Baby’s Development
At 11 ounces and a little more than 7 ½ inches long, your baby’s growth has slowed in recent weeks, but 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 walls of the womb. The lungs are not yet mature, but the baby is breathing. A dark green sticky substance called meconium is being produced. Meconium consists of cell loss and amniotic fluid that has 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 spend time in calm and quiet environments as your baby sleeps for an average of 20 hours per day.
Pregnancy Week 20 Tips
Now is a good time to start a birth plan if you haven’t done so yet. Include details about your preferences for the birth of the baby, and which procedures you’d like followed in case of emergencies. Feel free to share your birthing plan with your obstetrician so that he or she can provide input. This will allow you to feel more in control if there are unexpected complications, or if the birth isn’t routine. You may want to start a baby book or a journal that includes your feelings, photos, movements of the baby, etc. This can help you reflect later down the road, and realize how far you’ve come. Continue exercising regularly and eating a well balanced diet to ensure you and your baby stay healthy. Next is pregnancy at 21 weeks.
