You at 20 weeks pregnant
This is the halfway point of the average pregnancy.
Your uterus is taking up a lot more room, and some of your other organs – for example, your heart and lungs – now have less space. You might feel a bit breathless at times, especially when you’re lying flat on your back. When you’re lying down at night, you might need to put a pillow on one or both sides, or even between your legs. Many women find this helps ease the feeling of aching hips.
Ultrasound scan at 18-20 weeks
You might have an ultrasound scan this week to check that your baby is growing normally and to check the position of your placenta. This detailed ultrasound is one of the routine tests in pregnancy.
Whooping cough immunisation
Whooping cough is a very contagious and dangerous illness for babies. To help protect your baby against whooping cough, it’s recommended that you have a whooping cough immunisation between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. In Australia, this immunisation is free for all pregnant women in their third trimester. Your GP or midwife can organise it for you.
High-risk pregnancy
If you or your baby has a medical problem – for example, diabetes or high blood pressure – you’re considered to have a high-risk pregnancy. This means you’re likely to need to see your health professionals more often and have more checks during pregnancy.
Your baby when you’re 20 weeks pregnant
Your baby is busy and active:
- Your baby measures about 16 cm from head to bottom, and weighs about 320 gm.
- Your baby is covered in vernix – a white, creamy substance that protects baby’s skin from amniotic fluid.
- The heart is beating at 120-160 beats per minute.
- Muscles are growing, and your baby is moving around a lot.
- Your baby’s fingerprints are formed.
- Permanent teeth have grown beneath your baby’s first teeth, deep in the gums.
- Your baby can hear sounds like your heart or voice, even though baby’s ears aren’t yet completely formed.