In this 18th week of pregnancy baby size at 20 weeks, is 20 cm. During this 5th month of pregnancy, he will gain 3 to 5 cm and double his weight. The baby’s weight at 20 weeks is 240 g.

The baby alternates between phases of sleep (18 to 20 hours per day) and phases of activity during which he is very active. Thanks to his muscles which have developed well and to the space he still enjoys in the amniotic fluid, his movements are more and more ample and vigorous. Baby move well : he turns around, does somersaults, kicks, plays with his umbilical cord. Some babies at 18 months pregnant even suck their thumbs. Sometimes a bump appears on the belly at 20 weeks gestation (amenorrhea week) of the future mother: it may be a foot! These movements contribute to the formation of its joints, by stimulating the cells.

The skin of the fetus at 20 weeks begins to thicken, but it is still very thin and lets the capillaries appear transparent. It is covered with a waxy and whitish substance, the vernix caseosa, produced by the sebaceous glands. This varnish protects it from amniotic fluid and will serve as a lubricant during childbirth. Fat, known as “brown fat”, begins to accumulate under her skin, which will help regulate her temperature after birth by preserving her body heat.

The ossification of his skeleton continues.

From this 20th week of amenorrhea, i.e. 18 SG, it is now possible to hear his fetal heart with a simple stethoscope. For his part, the baby is also more sensitive to the sounds that surround him, inside and outside his mother’s womb. He may even jump in the face of loud noise.

He drinks a lot of amniotic fluid, so he often hiccups.

The multiplication of nerve cells ends for the 18 week fetus. They have reached their final number: 12 to 14 billion. The connections between the brain and the muscles continue, as does the process of myelination which allows the proper transmission of nerve impulses between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Very soon the brain will be able to send messages to different parts of the body.

Halfway through pregnancy, the mother-to-be reaches cruising speed, usually with a surge of energy.

Four months pregnant, new inconveniences can however appear with the belly which weighs more and more, starting with the back pain. As the center of gravity shifts forward and the joints relax under the effect of hormones, the back arches to compensate for this new balance, placing greater strain on the muscles and lumbar vertebrae. Pregnancy belly will undergo more and more important developments throughout these nine months.

Weight gain, hormonal impregnation which causes dilation of the veins and increased blood volume impede venous return, which can cause the phenomenon of heavy legs, or even the appearance of varicose veins.

The prospect of childbirth and her future role as a mother can raise concerns for pregnant women, especially 2nd quarter. This is completely normal: alongside the transformation of the body and the growing baby, motherhood is also a psychic process. This “psychic gestation” begins well before birth and can give rise to concerns, even elements of the past hitherto lurking in the unconscious. The pregnant woman must also deal with a new body. In case of difficulties in living peacefully with her pregnancy, she especially does not hesitate to talk about it. One or two sessions with a psychologist are sometimes enough to resolve certain difficulties.

Often, a woman who is 18 weeks pregnant, i.e. 4 and a half months of pregnancy, has an increased appetite, since calorie intake is more important to meet the baby’s needs. However, the opposite effect can occur. Some expectant mothers have a loss of appetite or a change in taste from the start, sometimes accompanied by nausea or even vomiting. Weight loss is then observed in these women. It does not matter, as long as they are not deficient (in iron, vitamins, etc.) and the baby is developing well. Nevertheless, an appointment can be made with the gynecologist or the midwife, to check that all is well. 

The cause is often hormonal. Solutions exist, so as not to endanger the fetus and the health of the mother-to-be. She can split her meals and take her time to eat, so as not to weigh down the stomach. For these meals, she must favor a healthy diet, providing good nutrients. Whenever possible, odors should be avoided which may be unpleasant or disgust. Industrial food is not recommended if the pregnant woman loses her appetite, because it is of no nutritional value. 

• register for preparation for childbirth, or even start sessions for certain preparations (preparation in the swimming pool, prenatal singing, prenatal yoga, relaxation therapy);
• take the exams 5th month of pregnancy : urinalysis (search for sugar and albumin), serology of toxoplasmosis in the event of non-immunization, search for irregular agglutinins if rh negative;
• take stock of the baby’s care arrangements.

Thanks to the recovered energy, the 5th month of pregnancy is often that of active preparation for the coming of the baby. It is also the ideal period to organize a weekend or a vacation as a couple, before the life of three. Be careful, however, to be careful and to remain attentive to the signals of his body.

At this stage of pregnancy, the 20 year old baby is able to “hear”. Talking to your baby, making him listen to music allows you to bond with him. Likewise, he is sensitive to the contact of the hands – that of his mother or his dad – on the stomach. Haptonomy is based precisely on this touch and allows the couple to make contact with their baby and prepare to be parents. There is still time to register for a haptonomy prep, but don’t delay too much.

To prevent heavy legs, a few rules:

• avoid prolonged standing, trampling, overheated atmospheres;
• have regular physical activity, with walking and swimming being the most beneficial during pregnancy;
• as soon as possible, elevate his legs with a pillow;
• when working in a seated position, stand up regularly and sit down, rotate the ankles to stimulate venous return;
• wear a medical restraint (ask your gynecologist or midwife for advice)
• in herbal medicine, certain venotonic plants can be used during pregnancy: blackcurrant or blueberry in capsules or ampoules, blueberry, cypress (cones), witch hazel (leaves) in capsules, red vine (leaves) in capsules or bulbs (1). Seek advice from your pharmacist or herbal medicine practitioner.
• In homeopathy, in case of pain and swelling of the legs, take Vipera redi 5 CH, Arnica montana 9 CH and Apis mellifica 9 CH, at a rate of 5 granules each morning and evening (2).