Congratulations! You’re halfway through your 9-month journey and you’ve probably already gained 5kg. It is expected that half a kilogram will be added to your weight in the 20th week of pregnancy . If the gender of the fetus has just been determined, you will have a completely new mentality towards your child. It is not bad to think a little more about the name you want to choose for your child this week. Now that you know you should wait for a girl or a boy between blue and pink dresses, you can choose what you want. The 20th week of pregnancy is the right time to buy sesame seeds.
The state of the fetus in the 20th week of pregnancy
In the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus wants to introduce itself to you by hitting you with the soles of its feet, which is more common at night than at any other time. He is now the size of a carrot and has plenty of room to scoot. The weight of the fetus in the 20th week of pregnancy has reached 300 grams. The body length of a 20-week-old fetus is 16.4 cm from the head to the hip, and 25 cm from the head to the heel.
In the first twenty weeks of the fetus, its body length is calculated from the head to the hips. After the 20th week of pregnancy, the size is calculated from the head to the tip of the toes, because if you look at the photo of your 20-week-old fetus, you will see that during the entire first half of pregnancy, he has bent his legs and his legs are placed in front of his upper body, and it is difficult to measure their length. measured
A white, oily substance called vernix covers the whole body of the baby in the 20th week of pregnancy to protect his skin during a long period of immersion in the amniotic fluid. This soft and slippery coating also makes it easier for the fetus to move through the birth canal. In the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus does more swallowing, which is a good exercise for its digestive system.
In the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus also produces meconium (feces), which is a sticky, black substance and is a mixture of dead cells, digestive tract secretions, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This substance accumulates in his intestines and is excreted in his first stool after birth. Of course, some children rarely excrete this substance in the womb or during childbirth.
Height: 25 cm
Weight: 300 grams
Mother’s condition in the 20th week of pregnancy
Now that you are in the middle of pregnancy and in the 20th week, you may have noticed that your nails have become stronger and your hair is growing all over your body earlier than usual and it looks thicker and fuller. You can again thank pregnancy hormones and increased blood flow, which delivers more nutrients to your hair and nail cells. If your nails are long, they may become dry and brittle, probably due to changes in pregnancy hormones.
After weeks of nausea and food intolerances, you’re probably ready to make up for lost eating time. But before you look for something to eat at lunch time, make sure that the child receives an adequate source of calories when he needs them the most. In fact, research has shown that mothers who eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day will have a healthier pregnancy.
Important symptoms of the 20th week of pregnancy
your sharp and enhanced sense of smell may In the 20th week of pregnancy, return to its normal state or remain like this until the end of pregnancy. In all women, the sense of smell is not very high during this period. Don’t worry if your sense of smell has become stronger. Your nose will return to its original sense sooner or later.
Think of your uterus as an elastic plastic balloon that can expand when needed. This muscular organ is located above the bladder and in front of the large intestine. In the 20th week of pregnancy, the uterus is held by strong ligaments that can stretch up to 500 times before pregnancy. Also, the weight of the uterus grows from 60 grams to more than one kilogram. After childbirth, the uterus also returns to its previous state.
Experts don’t yet know whether your high levels of chronic stress are harming your fetus, although there is some evidence that stress may affect your baby. According to some research, any high stress can be associated with premature birth or low birth weight. Determining the amount of excessive stress, like beauty, depends on the perception of the person who endures it. What stresses one person may strengthen another.
Heartburn in the 20th week of pregnancy can cause you problems. If antacids are safe during pregnancy, you should avoid sodium bicarbonate because it contains a lot of sodium. If your heartburn persists, your doctor may prescribe other medications.
What should we eat in the 20th week of pregnancy?
As mentioned, include B vitamins in the diet of the 20th week of pregnancy. As you can see in the table, folic acid is the most important vitamin of the “B” group. But seven other vitamins are also important in the nutrition of the 20th week of pregnancy. They help the body get energy and nutrients. Mothers who are vegetarians have low levels of vitamin B12 in their babies, so be sure to include foods that contain vitamin B in your diet. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential nutrient that is often found in animal products. A diet poor in this vitamin can be involved in anemia, so in the 20th week of pregnancy, use diets that include B12, such as ready-to-eat breakfast sandwiches, meat, spinach, broccoli, etc.
If you want to go hiking, put a few drops of fresh lime juice and a tablespoon of honey in your mineral water bottle. Lemon juice and fresh orange juice contain a lot of vitamin C and increase iron absorption.
Ultrasound of the 20th week of pregnancy
Performing ultrasound in the 20th week of pregnancy aims to check the health of the fetus, the amount of amniotic fluid, heart rate, and check the placenta and the position of the fetus. The fetus swallows amniotic fluid this week. Some researchers believe that amniotic fluid contains nutrients for the development of the fetus. At 20 weeks pregnant, her lungs aren’t developed enough to survive outside, but you can hear her heartbeat during your obstetrician appointments. It sounds like the hooves of a racehorse nearing the finish line.
List of important tasks in the 20th week of pregnancy
- Talk to your spouse about how to raise your child.
- Buy comfortable and flat shoes and spend the remaining 4 months in them.
- Learn about preeclampsia and its risks.
Iron consumption in the 20th week of pregnancy
Now and in the 20th week of pregnancy, the upper part of the uterus is next to your navel, and your weight has probably increased by 4.5 kg. From the 20th week of pregnancy onwards, you may gain about half a kilogram of weight every week. (If you started your pregnancy thin and losing weight, you may need to gain a little more weight. If you started your pregnancy overweight, you may need to gain a little less weight).
If you ask any nutritionist and pregnancy specialist what to eat in the 20th week of pregnancy, after the test, he will probably recommend you to consume iron. Iron-rich foods you can eat include red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, lentils and other legumes, spinach, and iron-fortified grains.
Recommended herbal teas during pregnancy
Drink regular or aromatic black, green and white tea. In pregnancy, there is no problem in consuming as much as chamomile. You can also combine your decaffeinated tea with orange or lemon peel, pieces of fruit (apple, pineapple, pear), cinnamon or cloves. Don’t neglect ginger, honey and lemon.
Green tea is not harmful in moderation during pregnancy, but remember that it contains a lot of caffeine, although its caffeine is less than coffee. Never inhale from car plants in your garden unless you know exactly what they are and that they are not dangerous. In general, if you want to sleep better, have more energy, avoid colds or have less heartburn, try natural remedies and follow a healthy routine that matches your pregnancy diet.
Get ready to give birth
If you haven’t registered for childbirth and childbirth classes until the 20th week of pregnancy, it’s better to start your inquiry. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first pregnancy or several, you can still benefit from a regular class that prepares you for the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth. Such classes may be weekly meetings or held as a one-day intensive class, and you may be able to participate in it with your wife or mother.
It is better to know that in the thirty-seventh week your child’s growth is almost complete and you should prepare for the birth of your child; So plan in such a way that you have made the necessary preparations before that time.
Say hello to B vitamins
There are eight types of B vitamins, known as B vitamins. Folic acid is known as the superstar of this group because it prevents the damage of nerve fibers. At the same time, seven other vitamins are also very vital and in addition to all the benefits, they help the body in the correct use of energy and nutrients. The best way to get any type of nutrient is through nutrition. Using the table below, choose the best foods to supply your body with B vitamins in the 20th week of pregnancy and beyond.
Reduce your stress
Avoid stressful situations and people to protect yourself and your baby. To reduce stress during the 20th week of pregnancy, get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly and spend enough time with friends and family.
Reduce stomach pressure
Eating more during this period and the growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach and intestines. This is the discomfort of your child, but he unintentionally causes these problems. To solve this problem, take the following steps:
- Drink water: Drink plenty of water to keep food moving through your system and thus prevent constipation, as constipation exacerbates bloating.
- Eat fiber-rich foods: Green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruits are good options. Of course, consuming too much fiber can also cause gas. If this is the first time you want to eat high-fiber foods, start slowly.
- Eat smaller meals: The more food you eat, the more gas you produce. If you divide your meal plan into 6 small meals or eat 3 main meals and eat two or three healthy snacks, not only will the amount of nutrients in the body stabilize and the fetus will be better nourished, but it will also prevent overfilling. Stomach overload and heavy digestion are prevented, and the fullness of the stomach is also controlled.
- Eat slowly: if you always had a habit of eating your lunch in 5 minutes and by doing this you put a lot of air into your stomach, this air in the body becomes painful in the form of gas, of course, this pain is only for you and not for the fetus. Therefore, it is better to eat your food calmly and slowly.
Tell your wife to shop
Taking your partner to the mall can be a good thing because you can choose the groceries you need and help you carry the shopping bags. You will definitely appreciate that you don’t have to carry heavy shopping bags home.