Welcome to week 20 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a bell pepper. Here's what else you can expect this week.
Your baby
Your baby is now the size of a bell pepper. Until now your baby has been measured from the crown of the head to the buttocks, but as the legs have uncurled, measurements are now taken from crown to heel.
The digestive system is already working away producing meconium in the bowel which — a black tar-like substance that will be pooed out into the first nappies. Time for the BIG SCAN! This procedure is done in the hospital and a way of examining that all is going well with your baby. The sonographer will measure the baby's growth, examine all the vital organs including the heart chambers and ensure everything is going (and growing!) to plan. It is also the time some mums find out the sex of their baby.
The sonographer will measure the baby's growth, examine all the vital organs including the heart chambers and ensure everything is going (and growing!) to plan. It is also the time some mums find out the sex of their baby. Time to go shopping!
You
Week 20 is a massive milestone in your pregnancy. You've officially made it halfway, and you're hopefully feeling some reassurance after your 20-week scan (more on that below). If all was not well, leaning on your partner, family, friends or whoever is supporting you with your pregnancy journey can really help, and you can also avail of your maternity hospital's
perinatal mental health services should you need anything.
Here is our handy checklist of
10 Things To Do Before Baby Comes
Anything else?
As you hit the halfway mark, your anomaly scan will have come up. This detailed examination can spot any potential physical issues with your baby, offering reassurance and early detection if there are issues. At the scan, a sonographer or your doctor will examine the baby's anatomy in detail. They assess the baby's head, brain, face, spine, heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, bladder, limbs, and genitalia to check for any structural abnormalities or developmental issues. They also examine the amniotic fluid and the placenta's location. This scan aims to ensure the baby's healthy development and can detect any potential problems, allowing for timely medical intervention or further assessments if needed.
Check out this idea of
Creating A Bump Bowl For Baby. It is a really great way to immortalise your bump.
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