What you can expect around 20 weeks of pregnancy

If you are wondering what to expect at 20 weeks of pregnancy, the good news is that when you reach this point, you will be halfway through your pregnancy! For many moms-to-be, this is a great feeling because some of the challenges of the first trimester have faded and they are getting closer to the moment when they will get to meet their son or daughter for the very first time.

If you are wondering what you will experience and feel at this point in your baby’s development, here is an overview of what you can expect at 20 weeks of pregnancy:

During the earlier part of your pregnancy, you may have experienced morning sickness or changes in your appetite that led to less weight gain or even weight loss, especially during the first 12 weeks. At this point, those issues have subsided and you are probably gaining between one and two pounds per week steadily.  If you are thinking of ways to limit weight gain during pregnancy, read more about dieting during pregnancy.

At 20 weeks, your belly is sticking out and people who do not know you will be able to tell you are pregnant. You will probably notice that you can feel the baby moving more often as well.

Unfortunately, this means that you may experience some itching on your abdomen as the skin stretches. Moisturizing regularly and drinking enough water may help minimize stretch marks! You also might notice that your ankles and feet are swelling. This is normal and most likely due to retaining more water.

Although some women report that their feet grew during pregnancy, most women find that their feet and ankles return to pre-pregnancy proportions soon after delivery.

This is one of the most common complaints from moms who have reached 20 weeks. They are not quite as tired as they were during the first trimester, but they are still tired, yet they have a difficult time getting restful sleep. It is important to get enough rest while you are pregnant, so this is something that is important to address.

Here are some causes and solutions for this issue:

• The weight gain can make it uncomfortable to sleep in your normal position. Get a pregnancy pillow to take some of the stress off of your back and other muscles. Pregnancy pillows are specifically designed for this and will really help you feel more comfortable, so it is best to buy one of these rather than trying to make a pillow you already have work for this purpose.
• Heartburn and indigestion from the first trimester may continue through this point, waking you from sleep or preventing you from falling asleep. Try not to eat foods that bring on these problems and to avoid eating in the 2 hours before you go to bed.
• Feeling hot. Due to hormonal changes and a faster metabolism, waking up in a sweat is common among pregnant women. Don’t be afraid to turn on the air conditioning, the fan, or to bring out the summer blankets in the middle of the winter. Keeping yourself cool will help you get the rest you need!