20 weeks of pregnancy is already half way! In addition, a very difficult and responsible half. At 20 weeks of pregnancy the weight of the baby is about 270 grams. The growth of the fetus from the crown to the tailbone is 14 - 16 cm, and if you count 25 cm from the top to the heel, this size can be compared with a banana.
Pregnancy calendar: baby changes
Somewhere from the 20th week of pregnancy, the baby's heartbeat is already listened to not by an ultrasound stethoscope, but by an ordinary obstetric tube through the front wall of the abdomen.
The child's lungs are in the first stage of formation, and by the end of the 22nd week the baby will begin to make the first movements. His work continues intestines, kidneys, sex glands also actively function. The functioning of the spleen as an organ of hematopoiesis begins.
At this time of pregnancy the baby swallows more, which is an excellent practice for his digestive system. Also by this time, he had formed meconium (original feces) - a black viscous substance - the result of digestion processes, swallowed amniotic fluid. With him, the future mother "will meet" immediately after the birth of the baby and it will be quite long to remove it from the priests of the child. True, there are cases when meconium comes out during labor, this indicates that their current is not the most favorable.
Changes in the future mother
At 20 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is at the navel level. It is worth making sure that the pregnant woman gets enough of the iron involved in the production of hemoglobin. During pregnancy, the body needs more iron for the growing fetus, the placenta and the maintenance of an increasing amount of blood.
You can enroll in training courses for childbirth. It is worth choosing where the future mother will go. The choice is big enough - from a local consultation to everyday lectures with a pool and fitness in large centers for the preparation for childbirth. In any case, they are worth a visit, in order to prepare for the birth and the first days of life with the baby. It is best to attend such classes before the term of 36 to 37 weeks, because after them, legally, labor may begin.
Dream: a normal dream
As a result of the influence of obvious factors, sleeping with each week of pregnancy will be increasingly difficult:
- the first time in a woman's life, she can start snoring. It depends on the hormones, because of which the nasopharynx is swelling and the supply of air partially overlaps. But there is a way out - to sleep on your side and raise your head with your pillows.
- It is inconvenient to lie if you suffer from heartburn and indigestion. The output is the same - you need to prop yourself with pillows, to take a semi-sitting position.
- leg cramps can also cause sleep disturbances if they are painful. The reason for their appearance - the leg muscles protest against the extra weight that the pregnant woman is gaining. The way out is - cramps can be eased so - to stretch out the leg, starting from the heel and further, arching the toes back to the shins.
- you can not find a comfortable position! The way out of this problem is to experiment with the pillows, put them under yourself, between the legs and so that it is comfortable.
- in the middle of the night suddenly can throw in a hot sweat. Women in the "position" in general are usually warmer than mere mortals, with the help of changes in metabolism, weight, hormones. There is a way out - it's better that the bedroom is always cool, you need to sleep only in pajamas or in natural underwear and do not forget to put slippers beside the bed, because there will be frequent trips to the toilet at night.
Discharge from the vagina
During pregnancy, there is an increase in discharge from the vagina. This process is called leucorrhea. The excretions are mostly white, yellowish and dense. No need to worry - this is not an infection. Leukorrhoea causes an increase in blood flow to the tissues of the vagina. By the way, this inflow of blood can allow the doctor to determine pregnancy in the early stages: the mucous membrane of the vagina acquires a blue or purple color - a symptom of Chadwick.
If a woman is pregnant and she has such a discharge, you should not wash yourself with a shower. If the segregations become strong, you should use gaskets. Do not wear tights and linen from nylon. Gusset on the underwear should be cotton.
During pregnancy 20 weeks, it is easy to pick up any infection. In this case, the discharge becomes yellow or green and will have a bad smell. In addition, a burning and itching sensation may appear in the vaginal area. If there is at least one of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor. You can get rid of such diseases, the main thing is not to run them.
Hygiene during pregnancy
Souls during pregnancy are not recommended for washing. But douching in this period is generally prohibited. If the expectant mother still takes a shower, you need to make sure that the pressure is weak: the jets should not go into the vagina deeper than 2.5 cm. Using a shower can lead to bleeding or air embolism. Air embolism - getting air into the blood, but it happens as a result of a strong water pressure in the shower. It occurs rarely, but the consequences are very serious.
Pregnancy calendar 20 weeks: lessons for a future mother
You can pamper yourself:
- Buy a new comfortable nightdress or pajamas.
- Go to a photo shoot to a professional to leave a memory of the beautiful period in life.
- Buy a beautiful frame for the first photo baby.
Is heartburn normal for a pregnant woman?
A large number of changes in the cardiovascular system occurs during pregnancy, can be accompanied by shortness of breath and a decrease in the perception of exercise. During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the vessels increases by 30-50 percent, which accompanies an increase in cardiac output. The frequency of contractions of the heart can be 10 or 20 beats per minute faster. The increase in these changes is for a period of 20-24 weeks and in the main the full recovery of the function becomes 1.5 months after delivery.
Blood pressure in the hands should be changed very slightly during pregnancy, and in the legs it increases noticeably. The feet swell. As a result of such changes in blood flow, there are noises when listening to the heart, for example, "murmur," a long delay between the first and second tone of the heart. Certain changes in the heart contour on the chest x-ray. List of changes in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy:
- The systolic pressure is lower by 4-6 mm;
- The diastolic pressure may drop by 8-15;
- The pulse pressure becomes lower by 6-10;
- The heart rate is higher by 12-18 beats per minute;