20th week of pregnancy
At the 20th week of pregnancy, the age of the fetus is already 18 weeks from the moment of conception, the fifth lunar month ends. The second trimester is in progress, and we can say that the first half of the pregnancy is over.
Fetal changes
The size of the fetus at 20 weeks of gestation is about 26 cm in length, it already weighs 310-350 g. From this time on, to assess the development of the unborn baby by ultrasound at 20 weeks of gestation, other indicators are also monitored - the diameter of the head, chest and abdomen.
The proportions of the unborn baby are the same as those of a newborn child, his body gradually rounds, and he does not look so thin anymore. Almost all systems of internal organs are formed, the respiratory system is not yet functioning, but the fetus makes the first attempts to inhale.
The fetus actively moves in the maternal abdomen at the 20th week of pregnancy, now even primiparous women feel tremors and movements. Women who have not given birth for the first time have noticed the movements of their baby for several weeks. From this time on, the motor activity of the baby in the womb is one of the criteria for his well-being. Based on the fact that the periods of wakefulness in the fetus are replaced by sleep, normally a woman should feel perturbations at least 1 time in 4 hours. Lack of physical activity for 12 or more hours should seriously alert the expectant mother.
In addition, the movements of the fetus in the womb increase after eating, in a state of oxygen deficiency (for example, in a stuffy room). The future baby, through physical activity, tries to accelerate the blood flow and the delivery of nutrients, as well as oxygen, to itself.
At the 20th week of pregnancy, it increases in size in proportion to the degree of growth of the fetus and the placenta, its thickness is on average 20 mm. The place of attachment of the placenta to the wall of the uterus can be different, most often - closer to the bottom of the uterus, along the anterior or posterior wall, in rare cases - closer to the cervical canal. As the uterus grows, the placenta can migrate, partially or completely blocking the exit to the cervical canal. Such a low placenta previa can provoke spotting at the 20th week of pregnancy and be a threat to termination of pregnancy.
With full placenta previa to the exit into the lumen of the cervix, natural childbirth is contraindicated, and in this case, a cesarean section is performed.
The fetus at the 20th week of pregnancy is active, he can do a lot of things, distinguishes between light and darkness, hears, his emotional connection with his mother develops. Improvement of the work of the central nervous system continues. The position of the fetus in the uterus can change up to several times a day, and it is still too early to talk about a head or breech presentation.
The epidermis of the skin of the fetus becomes four-layer, outside it is covered with a layer of white cheese-like lubricant - a product of the activity of the sebaceous glands. This lubricant protects the skin of the unborn baby from the effects of amniotic fluid. Nails begin to grow on the fingers and toes of the fetus, there is already a lot of hair on the head, and they are longer than vellus hair on the body.
Changes in a woman's body at the 20th week of pregnancy
The abdomen at the 20th week of pregnancy continues to round, the height of the fundus of the uterus above the pubic joint is about 20 cm, that is, it is at the level of the navel. There is practically no waist now, the skin on the mother's abdomen is stretched at 20 weeks of pregnancy, which may cause itching, as well as the occurrence of stretch marks - stretch marks. The umbilical fossa may flatten and appear less deep.
The likelihood of pain in the 20th week of pregnancy, localized in the lower back, increases. The reason for this is a shift in the center of gravity and an increase in the load on the spine.
Pain in the legs at 20 weeks of gestation may be associated with varicose veins of the lower extremities. In severe cases, there may be swelling in the legs, dark blue nodes of the venous network, or even redness along their course (a sign of thrombophlebitis). In these cases, it is recommended to see a doctor.
In addition to placenta previa, erosive lesions of the cervix or placental abruption can cause bloody discharge at 20 weeks of gestation.
Examination at the 20th week of pregnancy
A planned ultrasound scan at 20 weeks of gestation is a necessary minimum of research for all women at this time. In total, for a normal pregnancy, a woman is recommended to undergo at least 3 ultrasound examinations at 10, 20 and 30 weeks.
According to the results of ultrasound, the size of the fetus at 20 weeks of gestation and its compliance with the term are assessed. Ultrasound at 20 weeks of pregnancy most often allows you to determine the sex of the unborn baby.
Starting from this period, you should see a therapist for the second time, since an exacerbation of chronic diseases such as gastritis, vegetative-vascular dystonia or others is possible. In the middle of pregnancy, you can already take care of dental health, if they require it. Moreover, all procedures must be safe for the fetus.
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