Pregnancy & Fetal Development at 20 Weeks
Twenty weeks marks the halfway point of a pregnancy. An ultrasound about this time may indicate the sex of the fetus and the mother starts to feel definite, stronger movement of the baby inside her uterus.
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Enlargement of the Uterus
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The uterus is growing and has now ascended into the abdominal cavity. The top of the uterus sits at the level of the mother's belly button. Pressure within the pelvic cavity is now relieved, leading to less frequent urination.
Pregnancy Hormones
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Pregnancy hormones and increased circulation allows nutrients to work more efficiently, resulting in stronger nails for the mother and fast-growing, fuller hair.
Appetite
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Any morning sickness may be subsiding and the mother's appetite may increase. Pregnant women should eat small, regular meals and chew food thoroughly to aid digestion and avoid heartburn and discomfort.
Fetus Weight and Length
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The fetus is approximately 6 1/3 inches (160 mm) long from crown to rump and weighs about 11 ounces (320 g).
Vernix
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A waxy substance called vernix now covers the fetus, protecting the delicate fetal skin. Most of the vernix will be absorbed into the amniotic fluid by the time of delivery.
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Finding out you are expecting a baby is one of the happiest times of a persons life. Although everyone will fall over themselves to congratulate you on your news, nobody will be happier for the prospective parents than the grandparents-to-be. While n
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Early sonograms will confirm pregnancy, find potential problems and help determine a due date. When exactly you receive your first sonogram varies; it can depend on how early you first visit your doctor, and when your doctor decides you should have o
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Head lice can be a difficult problem to eradicate even when a woman is not pregnant. These parasitic insects can cause itching, rashes and irritation. Small eggs called nits are attached to the hair, close to the scalp. Nits and live lice are so smal
