Pregnancy week 20
At week 20 of pregnancy, onlookers can definitely determine that a woman is pregnant. The baby is about 6 inches in length and around 9 ounces in weight. New and different layers of skin begin to form for the baby at this stage. The epidermis itself is comprised of 4 layers which include the fingerprint skin of the palms and under the feet. The head of the baby has also become almost perfectly proportional with the rest of it’s body. Also, the naval may pop inside out. The baby’s growth rate slows decelerates to allow for the immune system, lungs, and digestive system to approximate. At the half point of pregnancy, week 20 assures regular growth patterns in the belly. A physician will probably start using a tape measure to track fundal height, or belly growth from this point on, however, after 32 weeks an ultrasound will probably have to be used in order to assure accuracy. Although, even an ultrasound has about a 20% leeway both ways in determining the growth rate of the baby. At this point, if the fundal height and pregnancy week don’t seem to correlate, intrauterine-growth restriction might be suspected. This condition produces smaller weight babies at delivery. Some factors that might help determine IUGR include chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, placental insufficiency, elevated alpha fetoprotein, antiphospholipid syndrome, persistent medical illnesses, low maternal pre-pregnancy weight, substance abuse, infections, and anemia. Early diagnosis and a fitting health regimen is the best way to prevent any further damages. Good health and prenatal care can also help prevent IUGR.
Other symptoms of pregnancy week 20 include itching along the abdomen. Although Pruritic urticarial papules can develop rash-like bumps along the stomach, they are not harmful to mother or baby. However, if the itching continues or becomes worse, a condition called intrahepatic homeostasis might be the cause. When ducts that are supposed to carry bile from the liver throughout the entire body fail to do so, the accumulation of bile salts can cause the itching. A blood test will have to be performed to diagnose this condition.
Current guidance (today's medical sources): Week twenty is the halfway point of a typical pregnancy. The baby is active, swallows amniotic fluid, and develops sleep and wake patterns. Most people now feel movement clearly. The detailed anatomy scan is usually done around this stage. Paying attention to the baby's pattern of movement becomes more relevant in the weeks ahead.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly about heavy vaginal bleeding, severe or persistent abdominal pain, a high fever, severe or sudden headache, vision changes, or fainting. Seek urgent care if you are worried — these can be signs that need medical attention.
Sources: NHS — 20 weeks pregnant; ACOG — Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Health; Mayo Clinic — Fetal development: The 2nd trimester. Informational only. See our sources & medical-review policy.
Frequently asked questions
How many months is 20 weeks pregnant?
Week 20 falls in the second trimester. Pregnancy is usually counted in weeks (about 40 in total) rather than months, because weeks are more precise.
What is happening to the baby at 20 weeks?
The halfway point; the baby is active, swallows, and has a sleep–wake pattern.
What symptoms are common at week 20?
Movements are usually felt clearly; the anatomy scan is typically complete. Symptoms vary a lot from person to person; discuss anything that worries you with your healthcare provider.
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See the week-by-week guide →Informational only — not medical advice. Pregnancy Week to Week is a general educational reference. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Every pregnancy is different: always consult your doctor, midwife, or other qualified healthcare provider about your own pregnancy, and never disregard or delay professional advice because of something you read here. In an emergency, contact your maternity unit or local emergency number immediately.