Pregnancy Week 20
Baby’s Growth During the 20th Week of Pregnancy
For the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s legs were curled up against the torso, now measurements for your baby’s length can be taken from head to heel as the legs are moving away from the torso. At about 10 1/2 ounces and 10 inches from head to heel, your baby is spending more time swallowing these days which is great practice for the digestive system. All this swallowing is also allowing your baby to produce meconium, a black, sticky by-product of the digestion. The gooey substance will accumulate in the bowels and you’ll see it in the first soiled diaper.
If you’re curious if that melon-sized belly of yours has a boy or girl, this is a good week to find out! The second trimester ultrasound is typically scheduled between 18 and 22 weeks which gives your doctor a chance to see how things are going with your baby.
If you’re having a boy, his testicles have begun their descent from the abdomen to their ultimate destination: the scrotum and if you’re having a girl, her uterus is now fully formed and her ovaries are holding about seven million primitive eggs.
Body Changes in the 20th Week of Pregnancy
You’re half way there, congratulations! The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button and you’ve likely gained about 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on.
It’s important that you’re getting enough iron, a mineral that’s used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). While pregnant, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as your growing baby and the placenta. For a great source of iron, red meat is one of the best options. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron.
Thanks again to pregnancy hormones and increased circulation, which furnish extra nutrients, you may be noticing that your nails are stronger and your hair (all over your body) is thicker and fuller than usual. And while the hair on your head may be better than ever, you might not be digging those sprouts on your chin. While this is temporary, feel free to tweeze.
If you haven’t already done so, you may want to consider signing up for the childbirth education class, especially if this is your first pregnancy. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Check with your local hospitals and birth centers for classes that are offered either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive one-day session.
