7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 20
Congratulations - you've made it to the halfway point! By now you may be feeling more comfortable in your role as expectant mom. Even baby is making himself more comfortable by settling into a favorite position in the uterus to wait out the last half of pregnancy. In fact, your baby has already developed his own regular schedule of sleeping, turning, sucking, and kicking. If you pay special attention to the faint fluttering, or "quickening" as it is called, you may be able to learn your baby's sleep cycle.
Week Overview
This week baby's nervous system is developing rapidly and your baby can see, hear, touch, taste and smell. In fact, your baby has become more sensitive to sound and light. Loud noises may actually startle the baby and cause a quick movement. If you place a bright light on your stomach your baby will likely move away from it.
This week the skin covering baby begins to grow from two layers. These layers are the epidermis, which is on the surface, and the dermis, which is the deeper layer. By this point in your pregnancy, the epidermis is arranged in four layers. One of these layers contains epidermal ridges, which are responsible for patterns of surfaces on fingertips, palms, and soles of the feet. They are genetically determined.
Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis. The dermis forms projections that push upward into the epidermis. Each projection contains a small blood vessel (capillary) or nerve. The dermis also contains large amounts of fat.
Baby's Physical Development
- Crown-to-rump, baby measures 5.6 to 6.4 inches long and weighs about 9 ounces
- Girls are developing their vagina
At week 20, your body continues to undergo change. Your uterus should be at about the level of your belly button, which may become an "outie" as your uterus presses on it from behind. This pressure should also cause the feeling of fullness in the pelvis and lower abdomen.
You may also begin to experience breathing difficulties as your lungs, as well as other internal organs, become cramped. This will continue until the baby "drops" or engages into the pelvis. If this is your first pregnancy you can expect this to occur 4 to 6 weeks before birth. In subsequent pregnancies, this drops occurs when you are in labor. You may breathe a little easier when you drop, but don't be surprised when you have to urinate more frequently as a result.
During the fifth month you can expect your doctor to check:
- Weight and blood pressure
- Urine, for sugar and protein
- Fetal heartbeat
- Size and shape of uterus, by external palpation
- Height of fundus (top of uterus)
- Feet and hands, for edema (swelling) and legs for varicose veins
- Symptoms you have been experiencing
- Questions or problems you want to discuss - bring a list
Time to Start Thinking About
Are you dying to know - is it a girl? A boy? Well now is the time to find out. At week 20, ultrasound images can determine the baby's sex, as well as confirm or help to establish your due date. If the ultrasound is performed very early or very late (first or last 2 months), the accuracy of dating a pregnancy is not as good. This procedure does not pose any risk for you or your baby.
Determining the sex during an ultrasound is achieved by seeing the genitals. You'll have to have baby's cooperation in this matter. Many a shy baby has kept their sex a secret during the ultrasound. What may appear an obvious indication of sex can be misinterpreted. So don't paint the nursery TOO pink, you just never know, you might be in for a last minute surprise!
In addition to determining sex and due date, ultrasounds also allow you to identify possible problems and see whether there are multiple fetuses. Due to the increasing usage of fertility drugs, multiple gestations have seen a significant increase in recent years.
Now that baby is all ears, have you considered playing classical music for your little listener? Research suggests that babies who were exposed to classical music in utero were better adjusted and even smarter than the average bear! So plug Mozart into the airwaves every chance you get! Your future brain surgeon just might thank you someday.
Tips for Mom
An increase in vaginal discharge or vaginal secretions is normal during pregnancy. This discharge is generally white or yellow and fairly thick, and is not an infection. This increased discharge is thought to be caused by increased blood flow to the skin and muscles around the vagina. If you have a heavy discharge you may want to wear sanitary pads. Underwear with a cotton crotch are recommended, you should avoid pantyhose and nylon underwear.
With the rest of your pregnancy left to go and grow, your going to need maternity clothes that make you look and feel good.
If your discharge is foul-smelling, yellow or green and causes irritations or itching around or inside your vagina you may have an infection. Contact your doctor if you suffer from any of these symptoms. There are many safe creams and antibiotics available for use during pregnancy to treat the infection.
Doctors also recommend that you refrain from douching during pregnancy. Using a douche may cause bleeding or more serious problems.
Feeling a little itchy under the skin? That's because your ever-growing uterus has stretched your abdominal skin and muscles. Itchiness, especially around the abdomen, is an unfortunate consequence of all this stretching and growing. Check with you doctor to find out which lotions are best to use to reduce itching. Whatever you do, try not to scratch and irritate your skin - that can make it worse!
Complications to Watch For
Most pregnancies occur without any complications or problems. But there are times when your physician should be contacted immediately. The following list contains symptoms to be aware of during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe swelling of the fingers and face
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of fluid from the vagina, usually a gush of fluid, but sometimes a trickle or continual wetness
- A big change in the baby's movements or a lack of movement
- High fever (more than 101.6F;38.7C) or chills
- Severe vomiting or an inability to keep food or liquid down
- Blurring of vision
- Painful urination
- A headache that won't go away or a severe headache
- An injury or accident, such as a fall or automobile accident, that causes you concern about the well-being of your pregnancy
Tips for Dad
The race is half complete, so why not celebrate this monumental midway point with a night on the town or a quiet dinner. There has never been a better time or reason to plan a "date" with your favorite mom-to-be. While you're out, be sure to show junior a little attention. Establishing prenatal communication can help create a bond between you and your baby before birth. Don't worry if you look silly talking to mom's belly. Start off by introducing yourself, he'll be glad to know you!
Prenatal Care Checklist
- Lying on your left side with a firm pillow under your head will usually be the most comfortable position for sleeping. This position brings more oxygen to the baby and eases the load on your kidneys.
- Try a body pillow.
- Bath water should not exceed 100 degrees F. Saunas and hot tubs are off limits.
- Do not douche or use tampons. Take a warm bath or use pads instead.
- You should not be changing the kitty litter because harmful parasites may be present.
- Travel is okay as long as you don't travel far from home during the last month of pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if a travel emergency arises.
- Seatbelts will not harm your fetus.
- Use both shoulder and lap belts and make sure to place the lap belt under your belly, across the hips and thighs.
- Avoid contact with any harmful chemicals or fumes.
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505