Pregnancy Week 20

Discover how your baby is developing in week 20. Plus, get tips on dealing with everything from stress to nosy relatives.

How Big is Baby?

Your baby is now the size of a banana. She may have thin eyebrows and is sprouting some hair on her head.

Baby's Length: 6.46in.
Baby's Weight: 10.58oz.

Mom's Changing Body

This week is a cause for celebration—you've reached the halfway point of your pregnancy! If you turn to the side these days, others will really notice a change in your profile—you definitely look pregnant now. If you haven't felt round ligament pains yet, you may soon. These sharp pains in your hip, abdomen or groin are normal. As your uterus grows, the round ligaments, which are attached to your pelvic sidewall and each side of your upper uterus, are pulled and stretched.

Baby's Development

Your baby is as happy as a clam in your womb, as his well-developed limbs continue to explore by curling, flexing, and kicking. And as his hair, nails and eyebrows continue to sprout, your fetus is looking remarkably more and more like Mom and Dad every day.

Weekly Tip

Wacky, scary, vivid, and unsettling dreams are all totally normal during pregnancy. These dreams may be spurred by anxieties you have about motherhood or labor, along with insomnia, or trouble falling asleep. You can let your imagination run wild with these nightmares... or you can take a deep breath when you wake up and talk about your dreams with your partner or friends. If you rationalize your fears as they're surfacing in your subconscious, you can let go of some of your worries.

Week 20 Ultrasound

Here, baby-to-be is curled up with her leg tucked in and her arms covering her face, which is turned away. She may look scrawny now, but developmentally she's right on track. Her bones, visible in this 3-D image, are continuing to harden and develop.

Credit: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine - AIUM.org

What Week 20 of Your Pregnancy Is Really Like

Pregnancy Confidential Podcast

Now What Do I Put on That Registry?

In this episode we'll cover all you need to know about Week 20 of pregnancy. We're calling it the "Registry Special," or the "I Better Start Thinking Seriously About This Baby Stuff" period. This is the week when you have the big, extensive mid-pregnancy ultrasound that will help determine your baby's overall health. It can be totally nervewracking, but once it's done, you may feel more ready to start thinking seriously about what this baby needs when she comes out.

Subscribe on iTunes

This Week's To-Do List

Talk to your other half about how you'll handle life after baby.
Read More
Make sure you have flats or sensible shoes—not 3-inch heels—to live in for the next four months.
Read More
Know the symptoms and risks of preeclampsia.
Read More

This Week's FAQs

When will I feel my baby move?

Must-Reads

How to Cope with Anxiety and Depression During Pregnancy

Prenatal depression and anxiety can strike any expectant mother. Learn about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for these common mental health conditions.
Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Sharp and painful, these lower-leg cramps often crop up during the second and third trimesters. Keep reading to find out what causes leg pain during pregnancy—and how to feel better!
Kegel Exercises: What They Are and How to Do Them During Pregnancy

Have you done your kegels today? Learn more about this important pre-labor exercise and how it can help ease your delivery.
The Lamaze Method: Everything You Need to Know

Lamaze is a childbirth preparation method aimed at building confidence and teaching coping mechanisms for labor. Read more about the natural technique to decide whether it’s right for you.
What’s Up With Pregnancy Hemorrhoids?

Many women experience hemorrhoids for the first time during pregnancy. Find out what causes this form of varicose veins, and learn how to feel better.