20 Weeks Pregnant
Pregnancy is a joyful experience for most women as you watch your stomach grow and feel your unborn child become more active. During each week of pregnancy, you and your baby reach new milestones. There are changes to your body and changes in your child’s development. At 20 weeks pregnant you’re half way, and there are many things you can expect during this crucial time.
At 20 weeks pregnant the baby should weigh anywhere between 9 -10 oz and the length of your child is probably 10 inches head to toe. The baby has grown rapidly and for the first time measurements are made based on head-to-heel rather than from crown-to-roast. You have probably noticed increased movements in the stomach, and this will increase even more as your child grows and becomes more active. At 20 weeks, the baby is now swallowing and breathing and her skin has developed into four layers. And the good news is, that usually by 20 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound can uncover the sex of the child now that the reproductive parts are formed.
In addition, there are lots of important changes during the 20th week of pregnancy. You may notice that your balance is out of whack for one thing. And if you thought being pregnant was your little secret, your rounded out belly has just told your secret to the world! You should have gained about 10kg so far and from here on out you should gain only about a pound per week. Your uterus can be felt just under your navel by now and because of your belly’s rapid growth your skin may be very itchy. You may also find that you must make more frequent trips to the bathroom since the baby is growing and the enlarged uterus is putting pressure on the bladder.
From now on the doctor will pay close attention to your weight to ensure a healthy development for your child. Of course, you should eat healthily, but do not feel guilty when you feel the need to splurge on food. The doctor will also monitor your iron levels. If you are not getting enough iron, your doctor may recommend increasing red meat in your diet or he may prescribe iron tablets.
Being 20 weeks pregnant is a fun and important milestone in your pregnancy. This is the part where you have hopefully ended all your morning sickness and begun to feel the joy of pregnancy. At 20 weeks of pregnancy, have a look at your stomach and see that yes – there is a child in there. Some parents choose to wait until their child is born to know the sex, but for others, they simply cannot wait. From this point you can start choosing a name for your boy or girl, and also begin to prepare the perfect nursery for the arrival of your baby.