Baby is the size of a banana
👶 Baby's development
Halfway there! The baby already has a sleep-wake schedule. Nails have reached the fingertips.
💛 How mom feels
Anatomy scan ultrasound. Big bump but mom is still quite mobile. A wonderful time!
📖 Tip of the week
Halfway there — worth celebrating! The baby has developed a sleep-wake cycle that you may be starting to notice. Pay attention to sleep position: lying on your left side improves blood flow to the placenta.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- Congratulations — you are halfway through your pregnancy!
- The fetus can now hear and respond to sounds, including your voice and music
- Taste buds are fully developed and the fetus can taste flavors in the amniotic fluid
- The fetus is very active, performing flips, turns, and kicks throughout the day
- Meconium (the baby's first stool) begins to accumulate in the intestines
- The fetus is about 25 cm long (crown to heel) and weighs approximately 300 grams, roughly the size of a banana
🤱 What mom may feel
- The uterus is now at the level of the belly button (navel)
- Fetal movements are clearly felt and may be visible from the outside
- Swelling in the ankles and feet (edema), especially toward the end of the day
- Increased vaginal discharge continues to be normal
- Heartburn and indigestion may become more frequent as the uterus pushes on the stomach
🏥 Tests and check-ups
This is the ideal time for the anatomy scan if not yet done. After 20 weeks, fundal height measurements become part of every prenatal visit. Your provider will review anatomy scan results and discuss any findings. Blood pressure monitoring is especially important as preeclampsia screening begins.
💡 Tips for this week
- Elevate your feet when sitting to help reduce ankle and foot swelling
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce heartburn and indigestion
- Start doing kick counts — pay attention to your baby's movement patterns
- Consider signing up for childbirth education classes, breastfeeding classes, or infant CPR
- Begin thinking about your birth plan preferences
❓ Frequently asked questions
What are kick counts and when should I start?
Kick counts involve tracking fetal movements at a consistent time each day. While formal counting is usually recommended from 28 weeks, becoming familiar with your baby's movement patterns now helps you notice changes later.
Is ankle swelling normal?
Mild swelling (edema) in the ankles and feet is very common, caused by increased blood volume and pressure from the uterus on veins. However, sudden or severe swelling, especially in the face and hands, could indicate preeclampsia and should be reported immediately.
Should I write a birth plan?
A birth plan communicates your preferences to your care team. Include preferences about pain management, labor positions, who you want present, and feeding plans. Keep it flexible, as birth can be unpredictable. Discuss your plan with your provider.
Is the baby viable at 20 weeks?
At 20 weeks, the fetus is not yet considered viable outside the womb. Viability is generally considered to begin around 24 weeks with intensive neonatal care, though outcomes improve significantly with each additional week.
📝 Week 20 of pregnancy: what's happening
At week 20, you are at the halfway point of your pregnancy. Your baby now measures approximately 16.4 cm from crown to rump (around 25.6 cm head to toe) and weighs roughly 300 g — about the size of a banana. The swallowing reflex is well established and your baby is regularly swallowing amniotic fluid. Taste buds are forming and your baby can already distinguish between sweet and bitter flavours in the amniotic fluid, which is influenced by your diet.
Your uterus now reaches your navel, and your bump is clearly visible. You may begin to feel more Braxton Hicks contractions as your uterus practises for labour — these should not be painful or regular. Some women notice their belly button beginning to protrude. Skin stretching may cause itching, particularly over the abdomen and breasts — keeping the skin well moisturised can help, though stretch marks are largely determined by genetics and cannot be entirely prevented.
The anomaly scan (also called the mid-pregnancy or 20-week scan) is the key appointment this week. This detailed ultrasound examines your baby’s brain, heart, spine, face, kidneys, and limbs, and checks for markers associated with chromosomal conditions. It also checks the location of the placenta — if the placenta is low-lying (placenta praevia), you will be offered a further scan at around 32 weeks to monitor its position. Most scans are reassuring and take 30–45 minutes.
This is a good moment to start thinking concretely about your birth plan — a written document outlining your preferences for labour, delivery, and the immediate postnatal period. Topics to consider include your preferred place of birth, preferences for pain relief, positions for labour, monitoring options, and your wishes around delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin contact. Your birth plan does not need to be finalised now, but beginning to gather information will help you make informed decisions. Talk to your midwife about what options are available at your chosen birth setting.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding of any amount
- Severe headache or vision changes
- Severe abdominal or lower back pain
- Swelling of face and hands (possible preeclampsia)
- Decreased or absent fetal movement after 20 weeks
- Blood pressure above 140/90
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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