Pregnancy Week 20

Many discernable changes occur in this week. The week 20 officially marks the end of the development phase in the baby. All major organs and body systems have developed and the baby is a miniature human being. It now enters the simple growth stage, wherein organs and systems are getting refined for a successful life in this world after birth. The main changes during the Pregnancy Week 20 are as follows

Changes in the Baby

• The baby is a pound up and an inch longer than the previous week. It weighs almost 8 pounds and is almost 8.5 to 9 inches in length. Now the baby is big enough for the mother to feel movements properly.
• Lips become more defined and premature thumb sucking starts around this time. Ears and nose are further developing and nostrils open by this week. Sense of smell develops around this time. Baby even shows breathing movements even though the respiratory system is very rudimentary and lungs are not developed. Ears can distinguish uterine sounds now. Under the vernix caseosa the skin starts thickening. The layers of the skin are also being formed. Nails continue to grow and hair on the scalp is evident.
• Teeth buds are fully formed under the gum line. The teeth also develop layers of enamel and dentin in this week. Bones continue to ossify and become stronger. Finger and toe pads are formed.
• In a baby boy the testis starts descending but it does not cross the abdominal wall. And in a girl the uterus is formed and she starts developing the vagina.
• Digestive system becomes functional in this Pregnancy Week 20. The baby’s pancreases start producing insulin in this week. The colon develops further. Meconium continues to get formed and deposited in the colon.

Changes in the Mother

The usual discomforts of breathlessness, increased urination, and pains and aches in the tummy, and lower back steadily continue. This is attributed to the pressure exerted by the growing baby on the internal organs. In this week of Pregnancy the mother can see many changes in her body. The growing uterus pushes the navel out so that it appears as a protrusion on the abdomen. A dark line, linea nigra that runs from the pubis to the tip of the breastbone is seen. This is due the excess of hormones that stimulate the production of melanin in the body.

There is an increase in the mother’s heart rate due to the rise in the blood volume. This is essential to support the baby. Gums become tenderer and bleed easily. Dental hygiene is very important. Although not conclusive there is a relation between poor dental health and premature labour. Women prone to getting varicose veins develop it during this time.

Women can feel the Braxton and Hicks contractions soon after week 20, though irregularly. They must consider joining the childbirth classes now if, they have still not. Practising Lamaze breathing, walking, light exercises and yoga helps to overcome the physical discomforts. Lots of rest and proper nutrition is also essential. You can learn more about your entire pregnancy period in Pregnancy Week by Week. The mother must become vigilant about few warning signs in this week. If she experiences abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, severe headache and vomiting, prolonged lack of baby’s movement or any other discomfort, she must contact the doctors immediately.