We are already in the equator of pregnancyThe crucial weeks of organ formation have passed, and now all the organs are functioning. They just need to keep going. perfecting its operation and maturing to prepare for life outside the womb.
What does the baby look like at 20 weeks of pregnancy?
At this time, your baby is still gaining around 85 grams per weekThis constant weight gain is essential for their growth and for their organs to continue developing properly.
It's still very thin and her skin is transparent revealing the veins. This is because she hasn't yet accumulated enough fat under the skin, although she already the formation of what is called brown fat beginsa special type of fat that the baby consumes at birth to try to avoid losing heat and help maintain a stable body temperature in their first hours and days of life.
His body is still covered in lanugo and vernix caseosaLanugo is the fine hair that covers almost the entire surface of the body and helps to protect the skin. vernix caseosa, for its part, is a whitish, somewhat oily substance that acts as Protective barrier against the amniotic fluid and helps prevent the skin from becoming irritated or dry.
Little by little, the eyebrows and head hair They grow and become more defined. The hair follicles are fully formed and there is already hair on the scalp, which is already rise above the surface of the skinEven so, the appearance of hair can change a lot after birth in terms of quantity, color, and texture.
It measures between 14 and 16 cm and weighs about 250/260 gramsThese measurements correspond approximately to the length of the baby from the crown to the rump, and may vary slightly from one pregnancy to another without implying any health problem.
On the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet the skin wrinkles begin to formwhich would later give rise to the lines and furrows that we humans have, and which are different for each person. It is at this moment that your baby's unique fingerprint is formed.
The baby continues You'll notice it moving around a lot.These movements, which at first feel like small bubbles or fluttering, will become increasingly clear and defined. Frequent movement is an indicator of good fetal vitalityAlthough it is not yet necessary to keep a strict control of the baby's kicks as in recent weeks.
The baby hears sounds and reacts to your voice
Starting in week 20, the baby's auditory system It is developed enough to begin perceiving sounds from the outside. Inside the womb, sound is muffled, but the baby can recognize:
- The heartbeatswhich he listens to constantly and which become one of his reference sounds.
- The noises of your body, such as the movement of your intestines or the flow of blood.
- El tone of your voice and that of the people who are usually close to you.
The ear is the first sense we acquire And although it is still under development, it is already beginning to play a very important role. That is why, Communicate with him: talk to him and get used to listening to music with himbecause the ear allows it to begin recognizing familiar voices and sounds. This habit not only strengthens the emotional link among you, but also favors your neurological development.
There are many studies that show that babies who, through their mother, They listen to music repeatedly during pregnancy Once born, they respond by calming themselves upon hearing that same music again. By recognizing these familiar sounds, the baby feels a greater sense of security. sense of security and calms, because it associates them with the protected environment of the womb.
One such study describes that if they listen to music from Mozart in the womb, when they hear it again In the delivery room they feel calmer and less aggressiveIt doesn't necessarily have to be classical music, but it does have to be soft, harmonious and of moderate volumeso that it's enjoyable for both you and the baby.
It's also important to know that not all sounds are pleasant for him. loud and sudden noisesThings like a very tall television, doors slamming shut, or intense thunder can cause changes in your heart rate and make him feel uneasy. The same goes for the very high-pitched and strident sounds, such as some speakers or power tools, and with the shouting and argumentswhich increase the mother's stress level and can be reflected in the baby's well-being.
To create a quiet sound environment During this stage, the following may help you:
- Speak to him/her tenderlyusing a calm and friendly tone of voice.
- listen to soft music, relaxing and of moderate volume, that helps both of you to relax.
- Take care of your own emotional stateSeeking moments of calm, taking deep breaths, and avoiding noisy and stressful environments as much as possible.
When I'm born, that a voice he has heard for months It will be a true refuge for your baby: something familiar that gives him security and helps him adapt to the new world around him.
Tests at week 20: morphological ultrasound
The most important test we undergo at this stage is the second trimester ultrasound or morphologic ultrasoundIt is one of the most important tests during the entire pregnancy because it allows for a detailed assessment of how the baby is developing.
Unlike the 12-week ultrasound, which is usually quite quick, This week 20 test is a longer oneThe specialist takes his time to calmly observe all the baby's structures, record images and measurements, and check that the development is progressing properly.
During the examination, the professional not only will measure all parts of the babyIt will also look for possible structural anomaliesTo do this, it will locate each organ (heart, brain, kidneys, spine, stomach, bladder, limbs, etc.), measure it, and assess its function. appearance is normal and no malformations are observed.
The placenta will also be assessed.Checking that its appearance and location are normal. If the placenta is located too close to the cervix, it can become placenta previa and block the uterine outletwhich could prevent vaginal delivery and require specific birth planning.
Another important measurement in this ultrasound is that of size of the cervixThis measure allows us to estimate the possibility of its existence. risk of preterm birthA cervix that is too short may require more frequent check-ups or specific measures, depending on the specialist's judgment.
The The external genitalia are now fully formed and visible. quite clearly, which is why this is the moment when, with a high probability, you can find out if you're expecting a boy or a girl. If you prefer maintain the mysteryInform the doctor before starting the test. Although they usually ask if you want to know the sex before giving you the information, it never hurts to mention it to avoid misunderstandings.
Symptoms of the mother in week 20 of pregnancy
We enter a period of quite calmThe feeling of sensing our baby moves brings us great peace of mind, so many women find themselves in a moment of... physical and emotional well-being.
It is common for the first trimester discomfortsSymptoms such as nausea, excessive sleepiness, and heightened sense of smell have noticeably decreased. This, combined with the excitement of feeling the baby's movements, allows many expectant mothers to experience this stage with renewed energy.
You look radiant and everyone else notices.Increased blood flow and hormonal changes can make the skin look more youthful. luminous and smoothand that the hair appears fuller. Although this doesn't happen to all women, it's common to receive comments about this. typical “glow” of pregnancy.
Your insomnia will likely have improved, or at least it won't be as intense. As your body adjusts to the changes, it may become easier to find rest. comfortable sleeping positionsespecially if you use cushions or pillows between your legs or under your belly.
You feel fine, you don't feel too heavy yet, you can move with agility and, if everything goes well, You'll be able to lead a completely normal life. (or practically normal if your healthcare professional advises any precautions). It's a good time to maintain a moderate physical activity recommended by your healthcare professional, such as walking, swimming or gentle exercises for pregnant women, and to also take care of your emotional well-being with rest spaces and activities that you find enjoyable.
It's an ideal time to Enjoying pregnancyConnect with your baby through movement and sound, and prepare yourself, without rushing, for the changes that will come in the next few months.
With the development of the ear, the increase in its movements and the morphological ultrasound as the main protagonist, week 20 marks a turning point in which your baby becomes more present every day and you can experience the pregnancy with greater security, information and serenity.
Picture - phalinn.