20 weeks of gestation: changes in baby’s development

At 20 weeks of gestation, the mother has already entered the 5th month mark. A number of changes have taken place so far and each day is a new discovery and learning.

The symptoms, which were more severe until the first trimester, now tend to be more stable, although some women still have a whirlwind of them. Colic, nausea and constipation are common and can be accentuated by anxiety .

Therefore, throughout the pregnancy, the mother should look for activities that can relieve stress and promote health for her and the baby.

Check out all the details of this gestational week in the article below!

Contents

How many months is 20 weeks pregnant?

At 20 weeks of gestation, the mother can now mark the 5th month on the calendar. The end of the second quarter is approaching, with about 1 and a half months left to enter the third quarter (or 7th month).

Now the baby is about 22cm long and weighs about 190g to 230g – something compared to an average banana .

Changes in the body: how is the belly?

On average, women are expected to gain around 6 kg by the 20th week. At that time, the uterus is already 3 times longer in relation to the length before pregnancy. From now on, on average, the uterus will grow 1 cm per week.

The belly is more evident and it is increasingly possible to feel the movements of the fetus inside. Therefore, it is quite common to have some cramping or weak pain in the ribs, due to a kick or punch of the small or small.

At this stage, it is still possible that tiredness will start to become more evident. Several factors are involved, such as belly weight and hormonal changes. Hemorrhoids and constipation are also common.

Therefore, adopting some extra precautions, such as reinforcement of fiber intake and attention to water intake makes a difference to reduce the risks and discomfort caused by these conditions.

In addition, some light activities can help to strengthen the body and train breathing. Pregnancy Pilates , yoga, meditation and even dance classes are great options for mothers.

Symptoms of the mother

Pregnancy is full of changes in the body and some symptoms can occur. Although each pregnancy is unique and the physical and emotional manifestations may be different, there are some very common symptoms. Are they:

Perspiration

The mother may notice that she is sweating more easily, even on those not-so-hot days or without doing any physical activity. Therefore, maintaining a good fluid intake is important to avoid the risk of dehydration.

Swollen feet and legs

A common complaint of mothers is circulation. Arriving at the end of the day with swollen feet and legs is frequent and this can bring pain as well. The ideal is to make small rests throughout the day, avoiding standing for a long time.

Also, avoiding tight clothing, pants with elastic ankles, and tight shoes helps. At the end of the day, putting feathers up can help blood flow more easily and relieve swelling.

Urinary infection

Women are now more likely to have a urinary tract infection due to the anatomy of the urinary system. In pregnancy, this condition can become even more frequent, especially if there is a history of recurrent infections.

Therefore, drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding holding urine, maintaining good vaginal hygiene, avoiding using intimate soaps and synthetic fabric panties are some very important precautions in the pregnant woman’s routine. Sleeping without panties, besides being comfortable, is well indicated!

Cramps

There is no way, cramps will occur during pregnancy and they are normal. The pain is usually mild or moderate and should not be prolonged. Otherwise, the guideline is to always inform the doctor accompanying the pregnancy.

However, those weaker ones can occur due to several normal factors, such as the growth of the uterus. The expansion of the region can cause ligaments that support it to be stretched. This creates pain and discomfort.

In addition, over time, the uterus occupies more and more space in the belly. This starts to push and compress other organs, such as the intestine.

If there is already a predisposition to constipation, it is possible that the mother may experience intestinal cramps due to slow intestinal transit. The ideal is to take care of the food and reinforce the fibers.

How is the baby at 20 weeks?

The baby is well protected, because his whole body is covered by the vernix, which is a creamy layer that prevents the contact of the amniotic fluid with his delicate and sensitive skin. Its development continues in full swing.

Your brain is working on nerve centers related to the senses. Gradually, the fetus gains perception of the world, becoming more sensitive to sounds and even the taste of amniotic fluid.

Another region of the baby’s body that is forming is the diaphragm. As it is possibly still an immature and developing mechanism, it is very likely that the baby will have hiccups.

That is, some small spasms can be noticed by the mother.

Is ultrasound important?

-Yeah . Ultrasound examination is important throughout pregnancy. According to medical advice, it must be carried out to monitor the development of the small or small inside.

It is quite common that, when arriving at 20 weeks, the mother is asked to have an ultrasound. In addition to knowing how the formation and growth inside the uterus is, the test can confirm the gestational age, in addition to revealing the sex of the baby.

Of course, this is an option of the mother, who can ask not to be informed if it is a girl or a boy.

But sometimes, even if the mother wants to know, the baby’s position may not favor discovery. Therefore, some will have to wait some more time to find out.

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