Week 20 Of Your Pregnancy

Congratulations! You are half way through your pregnancy. Your baby should measure about 14 centimetres from crown to rump and weigh between 300 and 350 grams. He or she is starting to develop physical characteristics and may already resemble one or both of you. Your baby is rapidly growing in every way and continues to curl, flex and kick in your belly.

At 20 weeks your baby is about as big as a banana. It’s safe to say they don’t look like a banana though – in fact it is around this time that they start developing their own distinctive features that may resemble you or your partner. You may have even seen this at your ultrasound!

CHANGES TO YOUR BODY:

You could feel unwieldy and clumsy and may be more prone to slipping or falling. This is due to the weight of the pregnancy placing pressure on your spine and changing your centre of gravity which can throw you off balance. You may also notice that your feet are now starting to swell and you may find you need to go up a size in shoes.

On the plus side, you will start to get your pregnancy glow on and you hair is likely to be thicker and glossier and will grow faster than usual. However, for some mums-to-be, pregnancy hormones can make their hair greasier than usual.

At 20 weeks you may see changes in your skin pigmentation. Be sure to use sunscreen daily, even during winter, as UV can darken patches and make them less likely to fade quickly after the birth. Also, Vitamin C is a safe way to brighten your skin – try using a Vitamin C infused serum to support your skin health.

LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS:

At 20 weeks you may be feeling happy but a little more tired than usual. This is the time when you may need to slow down and take more time for yourself than normal. Pregnancy takes a huge physical toll on your body so try to schedule in some pampering time and relax whenever you can. Booking in for a pregnancy massage can be very beneficial to relieve aches and pains.

If you opted to find out your baby’s sex at your latest scan, you may be thinking about shopping for the baby’s nursery. It’s such a lovely exciting time, but be sure you don’t get swept up in having the latest of everything. Getting set up for a new baby is an expensive business, but you can create a beautiful nursery on a budget, and frankly, your baby could sleep in a shoe box as long as you were near by they’d be happy. If you want some tips on creating a nursery on a budget, read this useful article. 

GENERAL ADVICE:

To prevent back pain, make sure you stand up straight when you walk so your hips and shoulders stay lined up. Sitting with your feet slightly elevated and sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can help you get comfortable.

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