Your Baby at 20 Weeks

A Closer Look at Week 20

You have reached the halfway point of your pregnancy! At 20 weeks, your baby is the size of a banana and weighs roughly 300 grams. This is a landmark moment — you are equidistant from conception and your due date. The baby's genitals are now fully formed and visible on ultrasound, so if you are curious about whether you're having a boy or a girl, your anatomy scan around this time will likely be able to answer that question.

Your baby is now swallowing significant amounts of amniotic fluid every day — somewhere between 400 and 500 millilitres. This isn't just random behaviour; it is essential practice for the digestive system, helping the stomach, intestines, and kidneys mature. The digested fluid is processed into meconium, a dark, tar-like substance that will form your baby's first bowel movement after birth.

The uterus is now roughly at the level of your belly button, which means your growing bump is becoming increasingly visible. This expansion can push the stomach upwards and compress the digestive tract, causing heartburn and indigestion to return even if they had faded during the early second trimester. Eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding lying down after eating, and propping yourself up slightly with pillows at night can all help manage reflux.

This is a wonderful time to celebrate. Many parents choose the halfway mark to start planning the nursery, exploring baby name ideas, or attending their first baby shower. If you haven't already, consider purchasing a journal or memory book to record your thoughts and feelings at different stages of the pregnancy — it will become a treasured keepsake for both you and your child.