Your baby is growing

At 20 weeks your baby has grown, and from head to bottom, he is about 10 inches. And from his head to heel he measures 10 inches. Here’s an interesting fact - During the first 20 weeks, your baby’s legs are curled up against his torso, so the measurements happen from the top of his head to his bottom. This is called ‘the crown to rump’ measurement. It is only after 20 weeks, your baby can be measured from head to toe.

Other than swallowing more often which is good for digestion, he is producing meconium, a black, sticky by- product of digestion. This substance will get collected in his bowels and could get released in his first diaper.

Your life at 20 weeks

By now you are half way through in your pregnancy. Well done! You would have put on more weight by now – at least 10 pounds. Your iron intake should increase because this in hemoglobin formation. Your body needs more iron for your increased blood volume, for your growing baby and the placenta.

Therefore, your diet should comprise of red meat, an excellent source of iron and legumes, spinach, prune juice, raisins, iron fortified cereals, soya products etc.

You could sign up for a child birth education class. This will help your husband and you to know about and be prepared for labor and delivery. Hospitals and independentinstructors conduct these classes. You could opt for the one that suits you.