Nearing the halfway mark of pregnancy

To those who have not been pregnant, twenty weeks might seem like an arbitrary marker. However, to those who have been pregnant or close to someone during her pregnancy, twenty weeks is an important marker – at this point, your pregnancy is halfway done.

You are halfway to the day that you will be able to hold your baby in your arms, and you will notice significant changes in your body and the baby. At this point, you can expect any or all of the following:

-         Weight loss will continue at a steady rate, usually one to two pounds each week

-         Sleeping may become more difficult as your weight gain becomes more pronounced

-         You will be more aware of the baby and his or her movements because they have reached a point in their development where they are bigger and in motion more often

-         Your skin may become dry and itchy as it stretches to accommodate the weight gain, especially in your abdominal region. Lotions and drinking more water can help.

-         Your nails are probably stronger and your hair may be longer and thicker.

-         You may see some swelling of your ankles and feet. This is normal and probably due to retaining more water.

-         Heartburn and indigestion will continue to be an issue, but morning sickness should have stopped by this point.

-         You may sweat more than usual as a result of both the weight gain and a more active thyroid gland.

Is there any such thing as normal?

When it comes to life, there is an old saying that goes “there’s no such thing as normal”. You could say that the same thing applies to pregnancy, and that’s one of the many good reasons why books like “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” are so popular.

Pregnancy can be a time of great apprehension and nervousness, especially for women who are pregnant for the first time. After all, this period is a time of great changes and an experience unlike any other, so what should you expect from pregnancy as you go into it?

A few things you can expect during pregnancy:

• Weight gain. Although this is fairly obvious, the pattern of weight gain may not be what you would expect. Most women do not gain a great deal of weight during their first trimester, and some may even lose weight during the first few weeks. However, by the start of the second trimester you will probably gain 1-2 pounds each week for a total of 25 to 35 pounds.
• Hormonal changes. Hormones are your body’s way of telling your body what to do to support the pregnancy, but they can also cause dramatic emotional swings. Do not feel like something is wrong with you if you go from happy to anxious and back again quickly; this is a normal reaction to the hormones you are producing.
• Physical changes. You will notice a huge range of physical symptoms although they vary from one woman to another. Common symptoms include heartburn, constipation, stretch marks, swollen and/or tender breasts, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Not sure, ask your doctor

No one can tell you exactly what to expect while you are pregnant, because each pregnancy is unique. And if you have any concerns about what is normal, make sure to ask your doctor.