20 Weeks Pregnant

Key Takeaways at 20 Weeks Pregnant

• Cheers—you’ve officially made it to the halfway point of pregnancy! It might feel like time is crawling or time is flying; it depends on how you’re feeling and coping with all the changes happening to you and around you.
• The anatomy scan—or 20-week ultrasound—will be happening soon! Yes, you can find out baby’s sex at this appointment (if you want). More importantly, an ultrasound tech will look at baby’s organs, take measurements and assess that baby is developing appropriately.
• Your doctor or midwife will probably start measuring your fundal height soon. Essentially, they’ll measure your bump which is definitely starting to pop!
• You’ve probably gained about 10 pounds—give or take—at this point. Don’t get too caught up in the number; make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting some movement!

If you’ve recently found out baby’s sex, you’re in a completely new mindset—are we right? Things are suddenly feeling very real. Get ready—before you know it, you’ll be welcoming your little boy or girl!

Video Highlights at 20 Weeks

Baby at Week 20

Some moms-to-be at this point wonder: Is baby fully developed at 20 weeks? Your 20-week fetus has come a long way but still has plenty of developing left to do at the halfway point in your pregnancy. There are a couple of important growth steps taking place around this time: A 20-week fetus has working taste buds and should have the sucking reflex—you may even catch baby sucking their thumb on the next ultrasound! They’re gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day—that's significantly more than before. Plus, regular sleep/wake cycles start taking shape. And when baby is awake, you’ll know it because they’ll probably be more active. That new, fluttering feeling in your stomach—called the quickening—is your baby saying hello!

Baby’s muscles are growing at a fast clip right now—and all those new muscles need practice to strengthen and coordinate, hence all that punching and kicking. As those muscles work with the nervous system, including the brain, baby will be able to make increasingly coordinated and intentional movements.

How big is baby at 20 weeks?

At 20 weeks pregnant, baby is the size of a banana. They weigh between 9 and 10.2 ounces and measure between 6.5 to 8 inches from crown to rump. (Starting next week, baby will be measured from head to toe.) Baby's still got a lot of growing to do but has an excellent start!

What does baby look like at 20 weeks in the womb?

Truth be told, they may look a little gaunt, because baby fat still hasn’t developed all that much at this point. At 20 weeks, baby’s delicate skin stays protected while in the amniotic fluid, thanks to lanugo (fine, light hair) and vernix (a slick, white substance) covering baby’s body.

In addition to tiny fingernails, baby’s fingerprints are taking shape this week. No two people—even identical twins—have the same fingerprints. Fingerprints never change; even if you hurt your finger pads, your fingerprints will come back after your skin repairs itself (although possibly with a scar). These ridges begin forming around the 10th week of pregnancy, when the growth of the middle (basal) layer of skin outpaces the skin on top of it, causing it to fold and buckle on the surface. The unique pattern that emerges is thought to be a combination of genetics (you and baby probably have some pattern similarities) and environment (i.e., influenced by substances in the womb).

20 weeks pregnant is how many months?

Your stage in pregnancy is usually referred to by week, not month, but 20 weeks pregnant is five months pregnant. Because pregnancy is 40 weeks long, you’ve now hit the halfway point!

20 week ultrasound

If you haven’t already had your mid-pregnancy ultrasound, you will very soon, since this prenatal test happens between weeks 18 and 22. This is a detailed ultrasound—you’ll see parts of baby you might not have dreamed possible, including the chambers of their heart, the kidneys, the brain hemispheres and even the sex organs—which means if you haven’t learned baby’s sex yet, you may be able to find out during the 20-week ultrasound (if you’d like). The technician and OB will look to see that everything seems to be developing properly and that baby’s growth is on track for a 20-week fetus.

If you’re 20 weeks pregnant with twins, the ultrasound technician will check to see if babies’ weights are approximately the same size. If they aren’t, more measurements will be taken to be sure neither twin is having growth problems.

Ask for printouts of the sonogram photos. These are wonderful keepsakes of your rapidly developing baby. How cute is that little nose?!

Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 20

So what should you be feeling at 20 weeks pregnant? Making it to 20 weeks pregnant probably feels pretty darn good. Your first trimester is under your belt, and your energy levels may be rebounding, making you feel stronger. Plus, increased estrogen and progesterone hormones can mean your sex drive is high, and as long as your partner is up for it too, things are probably happening between the sheets. Of course, it wouldn’t be pregnancy if you weren’t dealing with some annoying symptoms. After all, your body is hard at work. Right now, those symptoms likely include swelling, heartburn, leg cramps and a few other things. Here are some of the typical 20 weeks pregnant symptoms you may experience:

Vaginal discharge

You can expect the discharge to keep increasing until delivery, a direct result of heightened hormone levels. But let your doctor know if the discharge is yellow, green or foul smelling.

Leg cramps

Do stretches regularly, and drink plenty of water to prevent your legs from cramping.

Heartburn and/or indigestion

As baby starts to crowd your digestive system, it might not work exactly as it did pre-pregnancy. Watch what you’re eating if you’ve got heartburn or an upset stomach—acidic and spicy foods can cause tummy troubles.

High energy

Enjoy this energy (and libido) surge while it lasts! You might find yourself more fatigued in the third trimester.

Swelling

Don't worry unless the swelling is sudden or severe. Mild swelling is normal and should subside after delivery. In the meantime, put up your feet whenever you can.

Shortness of breath

As your uterus expands, it pushes against your lungs, causing you to feel short of breath. You might find this to be especially true if you’re 20 weeks pregnant with twins. Don’t push yourself too hard, and sit down and rest if you feel yourself gasping for air.

Your Pregnant Belly at 20 Weeks

Starting around 20 weeks pregnant, your doctor will measure fundal height at each prenatal visit. Fundal height is the distance from the pubic bone to the top of your uterus. In centimeters, the fundal height should match your week of pregnancy, give or take 2 centimeters. So, for example, your 20 weeks pregnant belly should measure around 18 to 22 centimeters. It should continue to increase about a centimeter each week. A higher or lower fundal height could be the sign of a pregnancy condition, such as gestational diabetes, a growth issue or a breech baby, so if it doesn’t appear to be average, further testing may be necessary.

Curious as to where baby is at 20 weeks in your stomach? Your body is making room for the uterus to expand up towards your belly button, giving baby room to wiggle around. They still have plenty of time to get into the head-down birth position, which doesn’t occur until the third trimester.

At 20 weeks pregnant, weight gain is happening slowly yet surely. You may have gained around 10 pounds by now. Remember: You’re aiming to gain about half a pound to 1 pound per week.

Recommended pregnancy weight gain for moms of normal BMI is about 25 to 35 pounds. If you began pregnancy with a high BMI, your OB will likely advise that you gain somewhere between 11 and 25 pounds. If you were at a low BMI, 28 to 40 pounds will likely be the recommendation.

If you’re 20 weeks pregnant with twins or other multiples, don’t stress too much over your fundal height measurements—it’s harder to say what’s average for moms-to-be carrying multiples. Instead, your OB will likely put more emphasis on your weight gain. Now that you’re 20 weeks pregnant with twins, you should aim to put on slightly more weight each week. In the first half of a twin pregnancy, the recommendation is about 1 pound per week, and in the second half, it’s about 1 to 2 pounds. That’s because healthy weight gain is gradual. Most OBs advise that twin moms-to-be of normal BMI gain about 37 to 54 pounds total during pregnancy.

Tips for 20 Weeks Pregnant

Twenty weeks down! You’re at the midway point. Here’s how you can prioritize your health and wellness in your second half of pregnancy.

Use your energy

While you’ve got the stamina, get things done in advance of your third trimester. Put together a birth plan, figure out what you need for the nursery and make other preparations. Be sure to get plenty of sleep!

Decide where you’ll give birth

If you’re planning to have your baby at a hospital, now is a good time to schedule a tour of the maternity wing. While you’re there, check out the classes that may be offered on childbirth techniques, lactation, breastfeeding, infant care and other topics. If you want to give birth at home, you’ll need to find a midwife and discuss your options with your OB.

Learn about Braxton Hicks contractions

These contractions may take you by surprise if you’ve never experienced them. They can feel uncomfortable but don’t last long. You’re not going into labor with Braxton Hicks, but if you start to feel pain and the contractions don’t stop, see your doctor—they could be a sign of something else.