The ultimate HerFamily guide to your pregnancy: Week 20
Week 20 – you're in the 2nd Trimester! Read more about trimesters here.
This week....
Your baby
Now weighs about 300g and is the size of a banana, measuring approximately 25 or 26cm long. The reason for this increase in length is that 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 reason for this increase in length is that 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
Hopefully, you’re feeling good — with loads of energy and lots of happy hormones racing about!
As pregnancy hormones relax the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus, acid from your stomach can move upwards causing heartburn. As your uterus grows and presses on your stomach, this will increase.
You may also be enduring the joys of a sluggish digestive system including flatulence and constipation — maybe even piles! Oh the joys...
Here is our handy checklist of 10 Things To Do Before Baby Comes
"There are appointments to make, prams to choose, names to ponder, walls to paint in the nursery, decisions to be made about finances - the list goes on! Considering we know so many women who have been down the road before us (and survived!), it is all doable so put pen to paper, make those checklists and tick them off as you go."
Sweet Dreams
Some mums experience nightmares at this time. Don't despair! These crazy dreams are totally normal and are usually as a result of insomnia, expectation and hormones! Just relax and maybe even keep a journal to keep your thoughts sorted out.
Horray! You are half way there. And your bump is now a thing of real beauty! Why not do something really different and creative with that baby bump.
Check out this idea of Creating A Bump Bowl For Baby. It is a really great way to immortalise your bump.
Jump forward to Week 21!
