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You reached the 20th week of pregnancy and you want to know what happens in your body; stay that in this article we explain it.
If you are in the 20th week of pregnancy, it means that you have passed half of the gestationSince an average pregnancy can last between 38 and 40 weeks to be considered full term. This is the name used by doctors to indicate that the baby has completed the entire maturation cycle that it needs in the womb.
In this period you will witness one of the moments most awaited by the mother and father. The reason? For this week it is indicated perform the second trimester ultrasound study; There, they will be able to evaluate the morphological development of the baby, its fetal position, its size and its approximate weight.
In the exam it is very likely that the sex of the baby can be determined, with very little margin of error, so you can start thinking about the name or define among the options considered.
The importance of this study also lies in the precision for detect whether or not there is any abnormality in your bones or one of your organs. Keep reading so that you know step by step what happens in your body.
General aspects up to week 20
Until now, pregnancy has surely not caused major transformations in the body because its main manifestations were focused on the initial discomforts caused by hormonal changes.
Dizziness and fatigue will be left behind the tummy will make the life that you are forming visible, since the uterus will grow approximately four centimeters each month. After all, the 20th week of pregnancy corresponds to the fifth month of pregnancy.
Changes in the mother
There are two changes that you may be noticing with pleasure this week and you are not sure if they are related to pregnancy. It’s about the hair and nails: they are growing faster than usual and in the case of hair, it appears stronger and thicker; Well, yes, it is the product of the hormones that you are producing and they accelerate your circulation. In addition, all of the following will happen:
Skin stretches
For this 20th week of pregnancy, the uterus should be at the level of the navel, so the skin will stretch more and more. If you have not started using creams or oils to avoid stretch marks, this is the time to do it on a daily basis.
You must take into consideration that sometimes despite all the care, you can not prevent the skin from sagging a bit; the important thing in this case is to try to keep it as hydrated as possible.
The breasts are more sensitive
The breasts that have been noticing changes from the beginning, in this specific phase may be more sensitive because the mammary glands prepare to feed the baby. This causes the breast ducts to increase in size and thanks to the hormone progesterone, colostrum begins to be made in them, which will be the first milk that the baby will take.
Increased appetite
Once the initial discomforts of the first trimester are over, the body seems to want to make up for lost time. You will notice it because your appetite will be increased and it will be essential to add at least two snacks a day.
Here it is important that you attend to nutrition so that it is within the margin of a balanced diet and adjusted to the requirements of pregnancy. A specialized accompaniment is a good option to closely follow up that complements the control with the obstetrician.
Other changes in the body
Will observes changes in skin pigmentation due to hormonal variations; This will make some areas of the body or face, such as freckles, take a darker tone that usually disappears after childbirth.
You can too feel palpitations because blood flow is accelerating before the demand of growth and development of the baby. And it is normal for trips to the bathroom to increase, especially at night because the uterus can put more pressure on the belly.
Baby development
The baby has completed the formation of its organs and it looks quite similar to what it will look like at birth. In the ultrasound you can see him sucking his finger, his cerebral hemispheres, the chambers of the heart, the kidneys and, even, the sexual organs.
Weight and height
According to studies that are responsible for establishing statistics, on average the fetus will weigh between 240 and 450 grams and measure between 14 and 18 centimeters. He still has plenty of room to grow, so he can move like a fish in water, and at this stage Mom clearly sees his kicks when he does stunts.
Morphological structure
Its morphological structure is complete, organs are already developed and will continue to mature until the day of birth, and even later in the case of the brain. In effect, the gallbladder starts to function and helps digest nutrients. Added to this is the activation of the taste buds and the sucking reflex.
Other features
The protective layer that covers your skin is made up of lanugo, fine, light hair, and a slippery white substance called vernix caseosa. When the time arrives, it will facilitate their departure at the birth. In addition, the hair follicles lengthen, the sweat glands begin their formation, and nails begin to grow.
Recommended care in week 20 of pregnancy
The care in this 20th week of pregnancy is valid to consider in the remaining four months. They are focused on combining nutrition, gentle exercise, prenatal check-ups and vitamin supplements in a balanced way, for this:
- Watch your weight without falling into an obsessive chase, but be careful not to overdo it. As we have said before, this week you will be able to appreciate more clearly how your appetite is increasing. Remember that the maxim will be not to go hungry and eat healthy, looking for natural options that provide quality nutrients for both you and the baby.
- Create a proper exercise routine that includes gentle stretches and movements that stimulate circulation. If you are not used to training prior to pregnancy, it would be advisable to seek advice if you decide to do it at home. There are also centers for prenatal exercises; If you decide to attend one, you could share the experience with other pregnant women.
- Take care of health. Take the control blood tests indicated by your doctor, do not skip any even if everything was perfect on the ultrasound and you feel fine. In this particular trimester it may be necessary to be attentive to the operation of the thyroid in case corrective measures should be established that guarantee the health of the baby and yours.
- Do not forget to continue taking the vitamin supplements. These together with the diet will guarantee that you reach the end with an adequate hemoglobin and will avoid the fatigue that anemia brings. Do not forget that all your caloric and energy requirements are based on two.
When to see the doctor?
If your obstetrician is not in charge of doing the morphogenetic study of the second trimester, you should attend a consultation as soon as you have it. Thus, in the control visit, he will evaluate the results and provide guidance on what follows.
Too You should turn to your specialist before any sign that worries you or you suspect that it is out of the ordinary. For example, unusual bleeding, very tired, persistent abdominal or lower back pain.
The 20th week of pregnancy is full of emotions
You already know if it is a boy or a girl and they have made sure that everything is going well; In addition, you have the opportunity to wear the maternity clothes that make a future mother so excited.
And so that that little belly does not grow too much, stay away as far as you can from sugar, refined flours and industrial pastries. If you do, your weight gain is likely to stay at the healthy average of five hundred grams or one pound a week.
Pregnancy is, without a doubt, an extraordinary period of life that you will treasure forever in your memory. Enjoy it in the best way, do not let anything or anyone stress you; Follow the instructions of your obstetrician to the letter and you will see that it will all be worth it.
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