Pregnancy Week 20
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Inside Pregnancy Week 20
Week 20 fetal development image showing the fetal growth of your baby to date. Medical Illustration Copyright © 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, All rights reserved
The baby is now producing meconium now, which is the first stool passed. This is made up of amniotic fluid, mucus, bile, lanugo, and is generally stored in the infant’s intestines. However, sometimes the meconium is passed during or even prior to delivery. It is tarry, stick and dark and will be the first stool of the newborn’s first few days.
Mom is passing on her immunities to baby now, helping protect the infant from illness and disease. Another big development with baby is the refinement and growth of nerve cells for senses in different areas of the brain, leading to the ability to see, smell, taste, hear and feel. The hearing is already in operation with the baby, and you might even notice the little one jumping in reaction to sudden loud noises, startling to the loudness. Baby’s can hear despite their watery surroundings, and will become accustomed to the voices and sounds of daily life, so that after being born, newborns will be comforted by familiar voices or music. Don’t think it’s silly to read, talk to, or sing to your growing baby. They are listening!
The baby is now about 7” long and weighs approximately 9 ½ ounces.
Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 20
You’ve now reached the halfway point of your pregnancy! Weight gain is probably in the ten pound range, with expectation of about ½ ounce every week for the remainder of the pregnancy. That’s only a general recommendation. Your doctor will adjust expectations to your unique situation. The uterus should be at belly button level now. The baby’s heartbeat is so strong now you might even be able to distinguish it from your own if you get into a good position and are patient. Your nails and hair are probably growing like crazy, with a strength and fullness you’ve never experienced before.
Visit With the Obstetrician
One thing many pregnant women do not expect is change with their vision. However, it quite common for a pregnant woman’s eyesight to worsen. It is not typically more than a temporary problem, as most the time the vision returns to normal after birth. The
hormones cause drop in tear production and that dryness can lead to blurry vision or
irritation. Also fluid retention affects the shape of the eye, making contact lenses to
become uncomfortable. If that’s the case, then trying wearing glasses for awhile.
However, some symptoms can indicate a problem with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Be sure to discuss with your doctor any problems you might be having.
Preparing for Baby
You may be feeling pretty good right now, so it’s an excellent time to enjoy some one on
one time with your partner. Try to make it a regular date, and aim for continuing this even after the baby arrives. Get friends or family to be on your babysitter speed dial, perhaps returning the favor. Establishing a consistent time for couplehood will give a
better chance of it extending into parenthood time.
Pregnancy Lifestyle
Pregnant skin is different. Things which once may not have bothered you might cause a rash. Once oily skin might be dry, and vice versa. Skin is more sensitive than ever though, and thus direct sunlight should be avoided. Skin that is prone to stretch marks will become more problematic if exposed to sun. So if you must be in the sun particularly during the strongest exposure times, be sure to use sunscreen.
Personalized Pregnancy Week by Week Calendar
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I am 20wks and so ready to get this over with. it is my 3rd pregnancy, i cannot seem to get any energy.20 more wks to go and i am counting.
I'm so excited about my baby boy he is doing great i could feel a little better. but with my baby moving && kickin i don't care if i have some down days i'm happy! 20weeks nd 2days
I am 20 weeks pregnant, i felt my baby boy movements over a week now but what made me so emotional is to have my husband share the same experience this morning for the first time.
Am 20 wks pregnant and 4 days and am so happy 4 dat its my second pregnanacy after having lost the first one.
Im so happy to have a baby boy nw hes 2o weeks and 2 days inside my womb
Im 20 weeks my little girl moves so much shes my first and she is my world already! im so thankful to have her and her wonderful daddy in my life!
I'am 20 weeks and i feel my little girl move mostly at night. it's getting a little harder for me to find the right position to sleep in now.
I'm 21 weeks and can feel my little girl moving around in there. for some reason she likes to be really active while mommy's trying to work lol. love her already!
I am now 20 weeks with my first. and its a boy! my husband and i are so excited. the kicks are getting more intense, i couldn't love it more! i got my fetal doppler today and its just making me more & more excited. i could just sit and listen to the heartbeat for hours (:
I am 20 wks and have a three year old son...i haven't found out the gender..hopefully a boy♥my bby is so active at night..i get tired easy and feel mean...but my emotions are getting better..excited♥
I'm happy dat i'm pregnant. i'm enjoying a lot.
Im 19 weeks we couldnt tell the sex of the baby but we're thinking about doing a 3d but still not sure if we want to know.
3d scans r great i had 1 at 16 weeks and an haveing a girl but just 2 see her little face god it was the best thing ever x
Hey i'm jennie i'm 20 weeks pregnant w/twin girls and i'm due december 15th. ma husband's hoping we'll have 2 christmas babies!!!!
I'm 20 weeks with my 2nd child who's a boy and i have a 6yr old son. the baby is really active, constantly kicking and tumbling around in there, which is awesome!!! i can even see the baby's kicks pop out of my stomach now!!!!
I am 19 wks and 3 days pregnant.......its my 3rd baby alhumdulilah and i am soooo happyyyyy...still dont know the gender i am a mother of two cuteee boys......now wish to have a girl....but its upon allah what he will give me......in all thank you my lovely allah......no words for thanks to allh....i love u allah....
I am 20 weeks pregnant , we do not know what we are having yet , but we have a little boy who is now 14 months ! i am feel tired and my weight gain is not where is should be ( i am under) other then that i am great and love feeling the baby kick
I'm 20 weeks with my second. i have a 2.5y/o daughter and am looking forward to finding out the gender this week. i'm feeling pretty good but do get tired here and there. at least my morning sickness is long gone!
I am 20weeks w/my 2nd baby(it's a girl) &we are excited(: she's starting 2move around alot more gets me excited every time &i can't wait 2have her. mommy&daddy's lil' princess(:
I am 20 weeks, in my first pregnancy and i am feeling great. i am having a little boy, and have just recently started feeling him move ...so sweet. i love the connection that only me & him have right now. can't wait until i get to hold him in my arms!
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Lebon im 20 weeks & my 3rd baby m feeling da kicks & thou m nt gaining weight bt m hapi stil cnt properly eat which is woring me.
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