20 weeks pregnant what should i feel

Don't see your symptom? Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page. During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume as well as to nourish your growing baby and the placenta.

Beans, beef, and fortified cereal are good sources. Whether you want to learn specific techniques to cope with pain or just find out more about the logistics of labor and delivery , a childbirth class will help prepare you. You made it to the halfway point in your pregnancy, so celebrate with a little indulgence. How about a facial, prenatal massage , or pregnancy photo shoot to mark the occasion? Or even just splurge on that cute maternity top you've been eyeing. Your baby's swallowing more and producing meconium: a black, gooey substance you'll see in that first dirty diaper.

Anemia is more common during pregnancy. If your blood levels of iron are low, your provider will recommend iron supplements or IV iron. Iron-rich foods like shrimp, beef, turkey, beans, lentils, and enriched breakfast cereals also help. If you'll need childcare, it's not too soon to start looking into daycare centers, home daycares, nannies, and so on. Ask moms you know for recommendations. Wondering what to bring to the hospital or birth center?

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Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. You're 20 weeks along, which means you're already halfway through your pregnancy! Meanwhile, baby's lungs are developing more this week. Your Baby at Week At a Glance.

Your little Your little one is still working hard on those sucking reflexes and may even use a thumb for practice. Gender reveal. Boy or girl? Your ultrasound this week should be able to detect what you're having if you want to know! The big week? If you didn't start feeling your baby-to-be's punches and kicks last week, you may this week — and it's the best! But it could take a little longer. How big is my baby at 20 weeks? Halfway there! How Big Are Week Bumps?

The increased saliva it produces neutralizes gastric acids and helps force fluids back into the stomach. Read More. Be sure to take fresh-air breaks outside a few times a day and dress in layers to avoid getting too hot, which could trigger a headache. Faintness or dizziness Stuffy, hot rooms can be the cause of more than just headaches. Stay cool by taking frequent breaks for fresh air and wearing loose-fitting clothes.

Help the blood circulate throughout your body more easily — and minimize cramping — by putting your feet up when you can and drinking plenty of fluids. Edema swelling in feet and ankles If water retention in your ankles and feet is causing you pain, be sure to wear comfy not tight! Also, avoid tight socks or pantyhose that can cut off blood flow not including support hose, which can be helpful — you want to keep fluids flowing freely to minimize swelling in your lower extremities.

Your innie becoming an outie Your cute little innie belly button may suddenly morph into an outie as your uterus pushes your abdomen forward. Girl, boy or surprise? Are those tummy bubbles or baby kicks? Choose healthy foods. Stretch but don't overstretch. Stave off anemia. Choose oil-free skin care.

Go nuts for nuts. However if you'd like it, and haven't been offered it yet, talk to your midwife or GP. Find out more about the whooping cough vaccination. It's issued from 20 weeks onwards, and you'll need it to claim maternity pay and benefits — don't miss out! Hopefully you're glowing with happiness and bursting with energy. However not everyone's the same, and you could be starting to get tired and even a bit grumpy as your body changes.

Tommy's, the baby charity, has a further list of common symptoms. Your baby, or foetus, is around Measurements are now taken from head to heel. In earlier weeks, babies are measured from the head to the bottom because the legs are curled up and hard to see. Your baby weighs around g. That's approximately the weight of three juicy apples. Your baby is now covered in a white, greasy layer of something called 'vernix'.

It's thought that this protects their delicate skin from drying out in the amniotic fluid. This slippery layer also helps babies to make their way down the birth canal.

Your baby will be getting more active each day. As well as kicking, punching and turning around, your baby could be sucking their thumb — this develops their sucking reflex, which they'll need to suck milk once they're born. You may start to feel a bubbling or fluttering in your pregnant belly — this could be your baby moving around. Maybe you know exactly what you're going to call your little one.

But if you need any help with baby names, then check out websites online and have a bit of fun with the random name generators.

How about Denver, Hervey or Ignatius? You don't have to tell your employer for several more weeks, but as soon as you do, you will have maternity rights and can attend antenatal appointments during paid work time. You can also ask for a risk assessment of your work place. If you want to wait, the latest you can leave it is 15 weeks before the baby is due, which is around week It will probably be rather obvious by then anyway!

It's a good time to tone up those muscles 'down under'. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze, cough or jump around on your baby's future trampoline. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stop the 'urine' in midflow. Visit Tommy's for more ideas. Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes — they may be able to recommend one.

The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth. Ask your partner if they would like to take part in the antenatal classes.