You and your baby at 15 - 20 weeks pregnant

15-20 Weeks Pregnant

Baby at 15-20 Weeks of Pregnancy

Your pregnancy journey continues, and can you believe that when you hit 20 weeks, you will be halfway there to finally meet your baby (or babies)? In this second part of your second trimester, lots of new things happen both to your body and your baby.

Do you remember those adorable facial expressions mentioned in the previous blog, which you were probably able to capture during an ultrasound scan? Well, those are becoming more prominent now and will continue to develop throughout the rest of the pregnancy.

Your baby’s little face keeps changing and looking more like a tiny human! Their eyebrows and eyelashes appear, and while their eyelids are still closed, their eyes start moving.

Your baby’s nervous system is continuously developing, which also helps your baby to start moving and flexing their growing limbs. Those cute little fists that most newborns make with their hands begin at this stage of development in the womb.

And because your baby is getting bigger and stronger, their movements inside you will start to feel more intense. Many women begin to feel their baby’s first kicks and punches around weeks 18-20, although it’s perfectly normal if you haven’t felt anything obvious by the end of week 20.

Check with your medical team, as you might have an anterior placenta. This is a very normal and common type of placenta, but its position means that your baby’s movements might be “cushioned” by the placenta itself, making them harder to feel.

Baby's Size - Length and Weight

Around weeks 17-18, your baby weighs around 150g. By week 20, they have reached the size of a banana, measuring around 25 cm.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 15-20 Weeks

By week 15, most women find that those frustrating early pregnancy symptoms have significantly decreased and often disappear completely by week 20. However, new symptoms can appear, although most of them are harmless to both you and your baby.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

One of the more serious symptoms to be aware of is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, often referred to as OC. This rare liver condition can cause frequent itching of your hands and feet, which might intensify at night. If you experience this, speak with your midwife as soon as possible, and they can refer you for specific blood tests.

Baby Movements

Now for something much more pleasant and exciting: those first baby movements! As mentioned in previous blogs, your baby has already started moving in your womb, but now that they’re bigger and stronger, you will start to feel – and see – those little kicks and punches.

Initially, these movements may feel like gas or bubbling, but gradually, you’ll recognize them as your baby getting familiar with their environment and communicating with you – isn’t that magical?

While you won’t be able to distinguish a pattern of movements yet, you can still enjoy spending time each day connecting with your baby through their kicks and punches. Find a quiet, comfortable place, light a candle, and wait for those little movements to happen.

The 20-Week Scan

Week 20 is significant for another reason: you will have your 20-week scan, also called “the anomaly scan.” This ultrasound is comprehensive, examining your baby from top to bottom to rule out any potential issues with their growth and development.

This is also when your midwife should be able to tell you if you are expecting a boy or a girl, which many parents find special and exciting.

Weight Gain

It’s impossible to predict exactly how much weight you will gain during pregnancy, as it varies based on factors like pre-pregnancy weight, body composition, and constitution. Most women gain between 10 and 18kg, with the bulk of the gain happening after week 20.

Bleeding Gums and Nose

Healthy teeth and gums during pregnancy are essential. Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of several conditions, including periodontal disease, which in some cases may cause premature labor and birth.

As your gums are more delicate in pregnancy, you might experience frequent bleeding and inflammation – be sure to take action quickly and contact your dentist if you are concerned.

Nosebleeds are another common occurrence at this stage, caused by changing hormones. As long as you aren’t losing a lot of blood, nosebleeds are usually nothing to worry about and can be treated easily at home.

Acid Reflux

Those awful pregnancy sickness symptoms may be a thing of the past, but they can sometimes be replaced by another less pleasant symptom: indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux. This is common at this stage of pregnancy and often linked to hormonal changes and the pressure of your growing baby on your stomach.

How to Keep a Healthy Pregnancy at This Stage?

Staying healthy at this stage of