20 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect This Week
Twenty weeks pregnant — the halfway point! This is one of the most celebrated milestones in pregnancy, and the week of the detailed anatomy scan. Your baby is the length of a banana and moving constantly.
Baby at Week 20: Size of a banana
Baby's Development at 20 Weeks
From this point, baby's length is measured from head to toe (crown to heel) rather than crown to rump, as the legs are now extended rather than curled. Baby is swallowing amniotic fluid regularly, and the digestive system is practising the movements it will need after birth. If you're having a girl, her uterus and vagina are fully formed. Taste buds are developing and baby can taste subtle flavours from what you eat in the amniotic fluid. Definite kicks and punches are now being felt by most people.
Your Body at 20 Weeks Pregnant
By week 20, most first-time parents are feeling clear, regular movements. The uterus has reached the level of the navel. Braxton Hicks contractions — painless, irregular tightening of the uterus — may begin and are completely normal. Swollen feet and ankles are common, especially after standing for extended periods. The pregnancy "glow" — actually increased blood flow and oil production — is at its peak for many.
Tips for Week 20
- Attend the 20-week anatomy scan together if possible — it's one of the most memorable appointments.
- Ask the sonographer in advance if you want to know the sex or prefer to keep it as a surprise.
- Take a "halfway there" bump photo — a milestone worth capturing.
- Start kick counting from 20 weeks — it's a simple way to stay connected with your baby's wellbeing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the 20-week scan?
The 20-week anatomy scan is a detailed ultrasound that checks all the baby's major structures: brain, spine, face, heart (four chambers), stomach, kidneys, bladder, bowel, limbs, and umbilical cord. The sonographer also checks the position and health of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid. It usually takes 20–45 minutes. If baby is in an awkward position, you may need to walk around or return another day.
What does baby movement feel like at 20 weeks?
By 20 weeks, most first-time parents are feeling definite kicks, punches, rolls, or flutters. The sensation is often described as a light tapping, a thud from inside, or a rolling wave across the belly. You might notice patterns — some babies are most active after meals or in the evening. Partners can often begin feeling movement from outside the belly around this time.
Save your halfway milestone
The 20-week scan is one of the biggest moments of pregnancy. Hello, baby keeps it — and every memory around it — forever.
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