Halfway together 💛

You've reached the halfway mark. Twenty weeks is a big milestone, and a lovely moment to look back at how far you and your little one have come.

📌 Week 20 at a glance

• Trimester: Second
• Baby's size: about the length of a banana, head to heel (around 25.6 cm)
• Still to come: roughly 20 weeks (a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks)

🌱 Your little one this week

At 20 weeks, your baby is about 25.6 cm long from head to heel, roughly the length of a banana, and weighs around 300 g. Measurements are now taken from head to heel, because in earlier weeks the legs are curled up and hard to see.

Your baby is covered in a white, greasy layer called vernix, which is thought to protect their delicate skin from drying out in the amniotic fluid. This slippery layer also helps babies make their way down the birth canal later on. Your baby is swallowing small amounts of amniotic fluid, practising for life outside, and the first dark, sticky stool, called meconium, is slowly building up in the intestines.

Your baby is getting more active each day, with kicking, punching and turning around. They may even be sucking their thumb, which develops the sucking reflex they'll need to feed once they're born.

🌷 And how about you, Mum?

Your bump is likely more visible now, and you may start to feel a bubbling or fluttering in your belly, which could be your baby moving around. Some mums also notice backache or a bit of breathlessness. It's all part of your body making room for your baby.

You might be woken at night by a sudden sharp pain in your calf. It's probably cramp, which is common in pregnancy. Rubbing the muscle firmly or pulling your toes up towards your ankle can help, and being a little more active during the day may help prevent it.

🍽️ Food for thought: healthy fats

Unsaturated fats are an important part of a balanced diet. They help your body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K, and provide energy.

Everyday foods that contain healthy fats include:

• Avocado
• Nuts and seeds
• Oily fish, such as salmon and sardines
• Cooking oils such as olive, canola or sunflower oil

You don't need to measure anything, and you don't need any extra calories until the third trimester, which starts around week 28. Your doctor, midwife or dietitian can answer questions about food and fats.

✨ Little things that may feel nice

• Many mums enjoy marking halfway in a small way, like a favourite meal
• Taking a bump photo can be a lovely keepsake
• A short walk or gentle stretch can ease a tired back

🩺 Coming up

You may have your detailed mid-pregnancy scan, the anomaly scan, this week. It's usually offered at around 18 to 20 weeks. The sonographer checks how your baby is growing and developing, and also looks at the placenta. Your doctor or midwife can tell you what is included and when it happens at your clinic.

Many countries recommend a whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy to help protect your baby in their first weeks. Your doctor or midwife can tell you the timing recommended where you are.

👨‍👩‍👧 Partner's corner

Halfway is worth celebrating together. If you can, join the scan, and take a moment to say how proud you are.

❓ Quick questions

Why is my baby now measured head to heel?
From around now, babies are measured from head to heel rather than head to bottom, as the legs uncurl. That's why the number jumps compared with earlier weeks.

Is my due date exact?
Your due date is an estimate. Many babies arrive a little earlier or later, and your doctor or midwife will guide you.

💛 A little moment for the two of you

Twenty weeks. Half of the journey is done, and half is still to come. You're doing beautifully.

Halfway together, little one. 🦕

Sources & further reading

NHS — 20 weeks pregnant
NHS Week 20 pregnancy guide

Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) — Antenatal care
KKM maternal health and antenatal care

FirstDino shares general pregnancy information for education and comfort. It is not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Please speak with your doctor or midwife about your own health and care.