← Back to All Weeks
🌿Second TrimesterWeeks 14-27

Week 20 of Pregnancy

Your baby is the size of banana
📏
Length
6.5 inches
⚖️
Weight
10.2 ounces
🍎
Size Comparison
Banana

👶 Baby Development

  • Baby is swallowing more amniotic fluid (up to several ounces per day)
  • Hair is growing on the scalp, and eyebrows and eyelashes are visible
  • Lanugo (fine, downy hair) covers entire body to regulate temperature
  • Baby can hear sounds clearly and may respond by moving or changing heart rate
  • Regular sleep and wake cycles are developing with distinct active and rest periods
  • Meconium (first bowel movement) is accumulating in intestines
  • Taste buds are fully developed

💭 Common Symptoms

  • Halfway through pregnancy - a major milestone to celebrate!
  • Visible baby movements that may be seen moving across your belly
  • Increased white or clear vaginal discharge (leukorrhea)
  • Possible varicose veins in legs due to increased blood volume and pressure
  • Shortness of breath as uterus pushes up on diaphragm
  • Increased sweating and body temperature
  • Possible swelling in feet and ankles

🥗 Nutrition Tips

  • Eat iron-rich foods at every meal combined with vitamin C
  • Include vitamin C-rich foods (85mg daily) like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and broccoli for iron absorption
  • Stay hydrated with 10-12 glasses of water to support increased blood volume
  • Eat calcium-rich foods (1000mg daily) at every meal
  • Include foods rich in vitamin K like leafy greens for blood clotting
  • Eat magnesium-rich foods to support muscle and nerve function
  • Focus on nutrient-dense whole foods

To-Do This Week

  • Celebrate being halfway through your pregnancy - you're at the midpoint!
  • Review anatomy scan results with your doctor to ensure everything looks healthy
  • Start actively preparing the nursery with furniture, paint, and decorations
  • Consider creating a detailed birth plan outlining your preferences
  • Sign up for childbirth classes if you haven't already
  • Start researching breastfeeding classes and lactation consultants
  • Take a special "halfway there" photo to commemorate the milestone
💡

Did You Know?

Congratulations! You're exactly halfway through your pregnancy journey! Your baby is now swallowing amniotic fluid and practicing digestion, which is essential training for life outside the womb.