20 Weeks Pregnant: You’re Halfway There!

h and even recognise your voice! (By the way, that rumbly sound is exactly what calms babies and helps them sleep better—and why you will love using white noise after she is born!)  

She is getting all her oxygen from the rich blood flowing from you, though her umbilical cord, but her spongy lungs are developing tiny air sacs to get ready for absorbing oxygen from the air once she is born.

Size of Baby at 24 Weeks: At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of an ear of corn.

24 Weeks Pregnant Is How Many Months?

24 weeks pregnant is approximately 5-and-a-half months.

20 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect

You have just about hit the 6-month mark! If you have not already, you may start having very strange dreams. Around this time, many women even experience vivid sexual dreams. Experts are not sure why, but pregnant women dream (and remember those dreams) more than non-pregnant women. Perhaps it is due to hormones or just the growing difficulties getting solid sleep. Or, you may be remembering your dreams better since they are interrupted by more night time awakenings—from increasing pee visits, etc.

It is common to feel more sexually aroused during the day, too! All the extra blood flowing to your belly can cause your vagina and labia to become a bit swollen and engorged. All this can make sex even more pleasurable. Take advantage of the urge before you get to the much more ‘unwieldy’ 3rd trimester.

Sex during pregnancy is usually safe; your baby is protected by your cervix. If you are high-risk, concerned about pre-term labour or are experiencing any pain or bleeding, talk to your healthcare provider before engaging in sex with vaginal penetration.

24 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Common symptoms during your 24th week of pregnancy include:

• Itchy skin and stretch marks
• Dry or itchy eyes
• Strange dreams
• Sexual arousal
• Backaches
• Constipation
• Slight breast colostrum production

A To-Do List for Your 20th Week of Pregnancy

• Install and check your smoke detectors. Make sure all the ones in your house are working. Install more in any hallways or rooms without them.
  
• Buy the basics. If you are having a baby shower, you will get plenty of tiny clothes. But here are a few helpful items you may not get: side-snap style shirts—they are easy to get on and off and allow a good air flow (do not use bodysuit onesies until the umbilical stump has healed); hats and socks (to keep your cutie warm); and little mittens (newborns are often born with long fingernails, and can scratch themselves). Make sure to wash all clothes with a gentle, unscented laundry detergent before use.
  
• Start your packing list. Make a list of the things you will need for the baby (an outfit to get the baby home in, nappies) and for yourself (favourite foods, lip balm, a warm robe, music, cosy slippers, warm sweatshirt, your pillow, extra clothes for you and your partner, flip flops for the shower, etc.). Once you have the list, you can start preparing and packing.
  
• Connect with your baby. Now that she can hear you, take time to talk to your baby. Make playlists of your favourite songs and massage your stomach. Even a few minutes of bonding per day can help you feel more content!
  

Pregnancy Quote of the Week

My mom used to say it doesn't matter how many kids you have...because one kid'll take up 100% of your time, so more kids can't possibly take up more than 100% of your time. — Karen Brown

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.