First, congratulations! You are now officially halfway through your pregnancy.

How does my baby grow at 20 weeks?

Your baby is now around 25.6cm long, the size of a banana.

And they are now covered with 'vernix.' This is a thick, greasy substance that protects their skin from drying out in the amniotic sac. It also helps your baby make their way through the birth canal during labour.

By now, they’ll be moving around a lot, so you might start to feel the baby moving if you haven’t already. Kicking, punching, and turning around—your baby is remarkably busy! They will also be sucking their thumb, developing the reflex that will help them breastfeed.

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 20 weeks?

You might find yourself becoming breathless, even with activities that you usually never struggle with. This is because your ribcage is moving outward to help increase lung capacity and allow your body to process oxygen and carbon dioxide more efficiently. Let your doctor know if you’ve been breathless, so they can rule out iron deficiency.

What else do I need to know about being 20 weeks pregnant?

You should be having an anomaly scan around this time. This is an ultrasound scan to check that your baby is growing and developing as expected. This also includes looking for signs of congenital conditions, like heart problems. It’s at this point that the person in charge of the scan might be able to tell you about the sex of your child as well.

Cramps caused by muscular spasms may wake you up at night, as well as a sudden pain in your calves. Try some mild foot exercises to keep your muscles strengthened.

If you’re living in the UK, ask about the popular MAT B1 form. It's issued from 20 weeks onwards, and it’s used to claim maternity pay and benefits.

What Does My Pregnancy Look Like at Twenty Weeks?

Baby growth, pregnancy symptoms and what else you should know at 20 weeks.