You're half way there!.. At 20 weeks your belly is fully out.... Your appetite is back in full force.... You may even have felt your baby move.... What you need to know at this point is:

Your physical changes

Have you felt your baby move? One of your physical changes this week can be the small pressures and strokes that you feel when the baby moves in your belly.... This is called the dissolution of the soul in the baby.... Women who have already experienced childbirth probably started to feel these movements a few weeks ago.

Your belly is also much more prominent these days....first time moms may show this in just a few weeks....and from this point on, you may gain a pound a week.

Your child

Your baby is about 6 and a third inches long from head to tail....if you look at it another way, your baby is about the size of a banana.

At this time, the hair on your baby's head is growing, and soft hairs called lanogo begin to cover his body.

If you've watched birth videos or witnessed a birth, you've probably seen the thick, white substance that covers your baby's body in the womb. It's called vernix caseosa and it starts to form this week. Vernix is ​​a protective layer that protects your baby's skin from the amniotic fluid.

See more: list of gynecologists

Formation of twins in the 20th week of pregnancy

Your babies are 6 inches long and weigh about 9 ounces each....take time to talk to them....they can hear you!

You may also have your anatomical scan this week....this ultrasound will check your baby's health....you can also usually find out your babies sex.

Symptoms of pregnancy in week 20

You are in the middle of your second trimester.... Your appetite has most likely returned to normal or increased.... While nausea and fatigue may have subsided in the second trimester, at 20 weeks pregnant some symptoms you may experience or continue to experience include:

• Body pain
• Tension sign
• Increasing skin pigments

Other symptoms you may have include:

Food cravings

Cravings for certain foods vary from pregnancy to pregnancy... Although you may have heard that cravings for pickles or ice cream are related to your baby's nutritional needs, this is not true.

In an article published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, researchers examined various hypotheses for food cravings. The idea of ​​nutrient deficiencies is not true because most of the foods women eat (sweets and high-fat foods) are not sources of vitamins and minerals. So eat your favorite foods in moderation.

Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks contractions (or false labor) can start this week as the body prepares for labor. These contractions are usually mild and unpredictable and nothing to worry about.

Sometimes a few contractions occur from sitting in an awkward position, walking a lot, or lack of water.... lying down and drinking water can suppress the strongest ones.

If you feel pain or these contractions repeat at regular intervals, call your doctor... This could be a sign of preterm labor, a complication that can be very serious.

Things to do this week for a healthy pregnancy

You may have already had your second ultrasound with an anatomical scan... This ultrasound exam is performed on the abdomen and shows you a view of your baby from head to toe... Through this scan, the technician checks all of the baby's major organs and systems to see if they are working properly.

This examination can also give you information about the amount of amniotic fluid, the location of the placenta and even the gender of the baby..

This week is also a good time to start looking around and signing up for childbirth and newborn classes... Your hospital may take you on a tour of the obstetrics and gynecology floor... Ask your care provider about such breast care services in your area.>

You can find private classes with a quick internet search. Search topics may include natural childbirth, birthing methods, breastfeeding, infant safety and CPR, teaching older siblings, and more.

When should we call the doctor?

Remember that Braxton Hicks contractions are common in pregnancy and usually nothing to worry about... their job is to prepare the uterus for labor... pain should be mild and irregular... any strong, painful or regular contractions can be a sign of early labor, especially if accompanied by spotting or bleeding.

If you experience anything that requires a return visit, your doctor will examine you, monitor any contractions, and provide treatment (eg, bed rest) if necessary.

20 weeks to go!

Congratulations for reaching this important stage in pregnancy... Your due date may seem far off, but you are steadily making progress toward the finish line.

Continue to take care of yourself by eating well, exercising regularly and sleeping well.

Source: Healthline

For advice on childbirth and pregnancy, you can refer to doctors specializing in childbirth and pregnancy.