Do you know what happens in the 20th week of pregnancy? Read on to know about the developments that a baby undergoes during the 20th week of pregnancy.Your baby is developing every single day and preparing to arrive outside to see you. In the 20th week your baby is completely covered with vernix or a creamy substance that is acting as a guard to protect him or her from the amniotic fluid.
Baby’s Development in the 20th Week of Pregnancy
Your baby might seem a little hyperactive as his or her muscles become stronger and more developed and he or she floats about trying to flex them. To you these movements may appear as bouncing bubbles in your stomach or light and kind of ticklish flutters.
This week will see the beginning of the formation of a greasy white substance that protects your baby's tender skin in the womb. As mentioned before this protective covering is known as 'vernix'. There are also a few other protective substances that guard your baby against diseases in the first few weeks after birth. These are now being transferred to the baby through your bloodstream.
This week, you are exactly half way through your
pregnancy and your baby is exactly half the size that you can expect at birth. He has grown quite fast and measures about ten inches or 25.5cm. and weighs around twelve ounces. That is 340g. From now on it is quite likely that the growth rate will slow down over the next couple of weeks.
Development of a Sense of World Around
Your little one can now experience and make a sense of the world around him or her. She is fast developing his or her brain and the nerves are working overtime to help him or her develop better senses. All his or her senses are now coming to life. You may expect him or her to be more responsive about the world around him or her. She can now understand the taste of your amniotic fluid or turn to the sounds coming from outside. You may also sense his or her activities to have increased over the time.
Baby’s Hiccups
Do not feel alarmed if you notice frequent hiccups now. This may be simply because she is
kicking, diving, rolling more than before. It is normal to feel a rhythmic jerk now. Most of the babies are known to hiccup in the uterus, which is said to be the result of not-so developed diaphragm with spasms. You actually can do little to stop her hiccups. In fact there is no need to bother about it at all, as it is causing no harm to her in any way.
Baby’s Growing Hair
So far hair pattern is developing on the baby’s scalp. Now it is moving to the next step. However, do not expect thick or voluminous hair to grow at this point. Even though it may not sound good, he or she will lose most of her hair by the time he or she is born. Most of the babies are born without much hair, but the good news is, your baby shall soon grow back some hair with time. However, his or her bones in the scalp and inner ear shall be developed fully now. His or her nose shall take the right shape with time now.
Since you are half way through your pregnancy, you must be anxious to know about the developments that have happened so far. This is the time when you too shall experience different physical changes. Your uterus shall grow by a centimetre every week now.
Ultrasound Scans
You will be asked to visit the doctor for
ultrasound scans now. Anomaly scans are performed between the 18th and 20th week. The scans performed helps evaluating your foetal growth and look for birth defects such as Down's syndrome and tube defects. The test performed also helps determining due date of the
delivery. Additionally, your doctor will also check the fingers, toes and limbs of your unborn child for any sorts of abnormalities. The amniotic fluid, placenta and umbilical cord are checked from time to time. All these tests confirm healthy growth of your little one. The scans shall help you take a look at his or her spine strengthening. This is the time when you can determine his or her gender as well.
It is normal to have concerns and queries at this stage of your pregnancy, especially if it is your first one. You need to let the doctor know about problems such as heart palpitations, migraine and abdominal pains that you might experience now. You must also consult him in case of skin rashes, vaginal bleeding or pain in the lower part of your back.
However, make sure you are not worrying unnecessarily and enjoying your days while waiting to see her!
What developments are expected in 20th week of pregnancy? What does a baby look like in 20th week of pregnancy? What are common concerns in 20th week of pregnancy? Discuss here. 
