Week 20 of Pregnancy
Second trimester
Baby is
about the size of a banana
10 inches · 10.5 oz
Baby this week
- •Can hear sounds from outside the womb, including your voice
- •Swallowing amniotic fluid and producing meconium (first poop)
- •Developing fingerprints and unique footprints
- •Fine hair (lanugo) covering the body for temperature regulation
You this week
- •Round ligament pain or sharp, shooting sensations in the lower abdomen
- •Increased appetite and possible cravings intensifying
- •Braxton Hicks contractions may start (usually painless practice contractions)
- •Backaches as your center of gravity shifts
- •Visible dark line (linea nigra) running down your belly
- •Possible varicose veins or spider veins appearing
This week's tips
- •Schedule your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (anatomy scan) if you haven't already—this is often when you can find out baby's sex if desired
- •Invest in a supportive maternity pillow to help with sleep comfort as your belly grows
- •Start doing pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) to prepare for labor and reduce incontinence later
- •Wear supportive shoes and avoid standing for long periods to ease back pain
- •Stay hydrated—your blood volume has increased significantly by this point
Looking ahead
You're officially at the halfway point! The next weeks will bring more noticeable movement, and you may start showing more prominently. Your energy levels may fluctuate as your body works hard to support your growing baby.
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