20th week
LET'S GET MEASURED!
Size of baby: 14-17 cm
Baby's weight: 260 grams
Congratulations, you have successfully reached the middle of your pregnancy!
The top of your uterus is about at the level of the navel and you may have gained about 6 extra pounds already. For the first 20 weeks, since the baby's legs are coiled around its torso, it is difficult to measure its length. Therefore, measurements are taken from the top of its head to the torso, the tail as we call it. Measurement after 20 weeks is more accurate, as it can then be measured from head to toe. Now it can swallow better, and more. This is good practice for its digestive system. Also, a black sticky by-product of digestion is now produced, which accumulates in the bowels and you will probably see in its first dirty diaper. Some babies excrete it in the womb or during childbirth.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
...Maybe it's time to welcome (if you don't already have it from previously) snoring in your life too? Indeed! This is partly due to increased estrogen, which contribute to swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and thus to producing more mucus. What to do? Try sleeping on your side with your head slightly elevated. Also avoid eating heavy or spicy meals late in the evening so you do not have heartburn and discomfort before bedtime.
In addition, anatomical pillows will become your best friends this season! Use them below your waist or neck, even your feet, something that will help with your little cramps at your calf. Do not forget doing light exercises in bed with your legs. Stretch the heel and lift the toes pointing up. Stay for a few seconds and then relax the ankle. A few repetitions a day, will help strengthen the bottom of your feet. And this is very useful for supporting your torso, especially as the body gets heavier.
Do you feel hot when you sleep more often than usual? Do you wake up sweaty in the night? Yes, it is normal and it happens because of changes in metabolism and hormones. What can you do? Try to keep the bedroom cool, and sleep only with just the necessaries on. Do not burden yourself with unnecessary clothes, which can hold up the sweat and lead you even getting a stiff neck. A light cotton nightgown and steady slippers are the appropriate dress code for sleeping, but for your frequent night visits to the bathroom as well.
Finally, from the 20th until the 22nd week the 2nd level ultrasound is performed in specialised foetal ultrasound centres, through which the foetal soundness of limb is examined and is known as the "big ultrasound". This test checks again the sizes of skull and femur, the ventricles of the heart and the great vessels leads, the anatomy of the brain, the presence of bladder, stomach and kidney, respiratory movements, pentadactylia, the shanks, the forearms and limbs. Before doing this test, the mother should have decided how to proceed in case something does not seem like expected (finger soundness, for example)...
Advice
Start altering the house, to have it ready to welcome your baby. Sit down with your partner and decide on all those small or big handy jobs, new purchases, and even the colour of the nursery and make a list of work to be done. Heavy chores will be taken over by him, so that you will not be exposed to dyes, paints, ladders and sharp tools. You should better deal with decoration! In the list that you will draw, do not miss even small but necessary items, such as a fire extinguisher or even night lights.
Have a nice week ... and enjoy shopping!
Source
http://www.paidorama.com
