Week 20

Your Body

You are half way through your pregnancy! Congratulations! Your belly button may pop out and stay that way as your uterus presses upwards. Your internal organs might be shifting a little as the uterus takes up more and more space. You could find that breathing becomes a little more difficult, as the lungs have to share their space with a few of your other organs. If you feel shortness of breath while rushing about, stop and take a breather. This will usually continue until the baby “drops.” In a first pregnancy this can occur as early as 4-6 weeks before or not until labour. Once the baby drops you will have to urinate more frequently, hard to believe? Remembering to do your pelvic tilts prior to laying down will hopefully allow you a few more minutes before the next bathroom break?

If you haven’t already had one, your health care provider may recommend that you receive an ultrasound, a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create an image. An ultrasound can determine the size and position of the foetus, and any structural abnormalities of bones and organs that are visible by this time. Depending on the position of the foetus, the sex can usually be determined by now. During an ultrasound, the umbilical cord, placenta, and amniotic fluid can also be examined. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and advantages of this test.

If you are suffering from back pain talk with your doctor about back brace options which may be covered by your insurance.

Although some of your symptoms lessen, you may feel anxiety about labour or motherhood. Try some activities to bond with your baby such as reading aloud or listening to music together. Begin getting the nursery together.

Your Baby’s Development

Your baby’s period of rapid growth ends. Baby has a strong heartbeat and finds loud exterior noises startling. Their legs now have normal body proportions. Nerve cells continue developing for the senses. The female baby’s uterus continues to develop. You begin the process of transferring your immunities to the baby for the remaining weeks of pregnancy. At this stage of your baby’s development, a substance called Vernix forms all over its body to protect it from the long period of exposure to amniotic fluid. You might also be able to work out your baby’s sleep habits by this time from his or her movements inside you. Your little one’s tooth buds for their milk teeth are now in place. By now, on your ultrasound, their spine will also appear quite straight.

The baby is taking up increasing room in your uterus, and continued growth will put pressure on your lungs, stomach, bladder, and kidneys.

The baby’s white blood cells form. The skin is opaque and swallowing is more common. The eyelids are still closed. The tongue develops as do the womb and vagina for baby girls. This week baby measures 6.46 inches (16.4 cm) and weighs 10.58 ounces (300 grams) (these numbers are approximations).