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Week 20

What's Happening To Your Body

Congratulations, you're halfway through your pregnancy! At this point, your healthcare provider may recommend that you have an ultrasound scan. The ultrasound can determine the size and position of the fetus. Your healthcare provider will also measure the size of your uterus to keep track of your baby’s growth.

Some moms-to-be report having some trouble breathing. This is caused by the lungs being cramped by internal organs that the growing uterus has displaced. While this is not a serious complication, it can be uncomfortable. But, once your baby “drops” (4 to 6 weeks before your due date), this pressure will be relieved.

As your baby pushes down on your bladder, you may have to urinate more often. Doing pelvic tilts before lying down can delay the need to go to the bathroom.

What's Happening To Your Baby

Your baby is the size of a banana. Your baby now measures about 6 to 6.3 inches (15.2 to 15.9 cm) long from crown to rump, or about the size of a small banana, and weighs approximately 9 ounces (255.1 grams). Though your baby is still small, it has grown tremendously from that first dividing cell.

Under the vernix caseosa (the waxy, protective coating), your baby’s skin is thickening and starting to form two layers, the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (deeper layer). Your baby’s hair and nails are also continuing to grow.

Your baby’s movements should become stronger and stronger as the bones continue to harden. You should be able to feel fluttering or quickening quite regularly now. In fact, from the movements, you should be able to know if the baby is sleeping or awake.

Read This Next: Week 21

In Case You Missed It: Week 19