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Your Pregnancy: Week 20

Believe it or not, this week heralds the mid-point of your pregnancy. If you go full term, from the start of your last menstrual period to the time you give birth, your pregnancy will be about 40 weeks long. So you're halfway there. Congrats!
 
Your baby
• From the top of her head to the bottom of her buttocks, your baby is 14 to 16 cm (5.6 to 6.4 in) long and weighs about 255 g (9 oz).
• Your baby is sleeping and waking in a regular cycle now. Her muscles and organs are growing rapidly and, from here on in, the brain cells integral to conscious thought will mature.
• At this point in your pregnancy, you may be able to hear your baby's heartbeat through a stethoscope. But don't worry if you can't. Sometimes it's difficult even for caregivers who listen to fetal heartbeats regularly to find the baby's heartbeat.
• A white, waxy coating called vernix caseosa is forming over your baby's skin to protect her from exposure to the amniotic fluid in your uterus. Her skin is beginning to form into two layers: the epidermis (surface layer) and the dermis (deeper layer).
• Your baby's epidermis is made of four layers, one of which contains the genetically determined pattern of ridges that will develop into fingerprints and the lines and curves on her palms and soles of her feet.
 
Your bump
What's going on in that pregnant belly of yours now? Chances are your uterus has moved up and out into your abdomen, so it's about even with your bellybutton. Though the growth of your uterus may have been irregular so far, after this week it will grow about 1 cm (0.4 in) each week.
 
How to keep your move on
Are you staying active? Exercise is great for you (and baby), but you’ll need to modify your moves as you get bigger. If you find your usual exercise routine is becoming uncomfortable, explore some of these pregnancy-friendly alternatives:
• walking
• swimming / aquacize
• yoga
• tai chi
• pilates
 
Looking ahead
You’re probably starting to look ahead to your baby’s birth. There are lots of decisions to make, like where you want to have your baby and who you want to have by your side. Now's a good time to investigate the available options in your area and start making arrangements. You may want to go on a tour of your local hospital or birthing centre to get an idea of what to expect. Or maybe you’re intrigued by home birth. Here’s why some women choose to give birth at home.

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