20 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Baby's Progress, and Gender Predictions!

At 20 weeks pregnant, you're officially right in the middle of your second trimester! This milestone can bring some unfamiliar sensations as your baby starts to outgrow their grapefruit size. You'll probably even hear pregnancy symptoms at this stage might hint at your baby's gender, but take these theories with a grain of salt!  Take a further look at what's going on with your little one and your body.

How Is Your Baby Developing at 20 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is developing at an incredible rate! Right now, they're the size of a banana and getting stronger every day. Here's what is happening with their growth.

• Proportions are starting to balance out. Your baby's head doesn't look much bigger than the body anymore.
• Your little one's five senses begin to develop as their brain cells grow. 
• The pancreas starts making insulin, which helps your baby grow and store enough for birth.
• If your baby turns out to be a beautiful baby girl, her ovaries have enough cells that could eventually turn into about 6 million eggs. Only about 1 million egg cells will remain at birth.

You may start feeling movements as your little one is getting stronger at this stage. But their kicks might just feel like gentle flutters.

If you haven't felt your baby move yet, there's no need to stress—those sweet little movements typically become more noticeable around Week 25 of your pregnancy.

What Your Body Feels Like at 5 Months Pregnant

Know your pregnancy symptoms at 20 Weeks to catch any potential health issues early on.

Many early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and extreme fatigue, may start to fade, so you might find this second trimester more comfortable. But you may also experience the following as your belly grows:

• Sleep disruptions. Blame your little one in the womb, who tends to be active between 8 and 11 p.m.
• Increased appetite. Your pregnant body requires more nutrients, so don't be surprised if you feel hungrier than usual.
• Round ligament pain. As your belly grows, you might experience sharp pain or discomfort on the sides of your abdomen.
• Itchy belly. Your stomach's skin can feel tight and itchy. You might even spot some stretch marks.
• Melasma. Also known as the "mask of pregnancy," these dark patches on the face can occur due to hormonal changes.
• Dizziness. Blood circulation changes might cause occasional lightheadedness.
• Bleeding gums. The hormone increase (estrogen and progesterone) affects the mouth's mucous membranes.

The size of your 5-month pregnant belly measures almost 8 inches (20 cm) from the top of your baby bump to the pubic bone. Also known as fundal height, this measurement helps to show how many weeks pregnant you are, especially between 20 and 36 weeks.

Are Pregnancy Symptoms Clues to a Baby's Gender? 

Your ultrasound will do a better job of telling you whether you’re carrying a boy or girl.

The truth is you can't rely on your pregnancy symptoms to know if you're having a boy or a girl. Many of these ideas come from old wives' tales or folklore. Scientists have looked at some pregnancy signs and possible connections to a baby's gender. But there isn't enough (even zero) scientific evidence to support those claims.

However, with your baby bump starting to peek through, family and friends might make playful guesses about your baby's sex based on how you're looking and feeling. And admit it, you're curious, too.

Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 20 if It's a Girl

Many pregnant women find it fun to explore these symptoms and see if they add up. After all, you're probably thinking about baby names already! Here are some of the signs linked to having a baby girl and what science says.

Severe nausea

Some studies, including this one published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, do suggest that women expecting a baby girl might experience severe morning sickness. As intriguing as it sounds, most findings are inconclusive and highlight the need for further research.

Craving sweet foods

In a BMJ Open study about pregnancy cravings, researchers didn't find a strong connection between the pregnancy cravings and baby gender. But here's the interesting part: 66.7% of the moms who craved caffeine and spicy foods ended up having baby girls!

Mommy brain

The hormonal shifts during pregnancy can make you feel forgetful or scatterbrained, a phenomenon often called "pregnancy brain." However, no scientific evidence supports mommy brain is linked to whether your baby is a boy or a girl.

Linea nigra pattern  

The myth goes you're having a girl if your linea nigra, the vertical line on your bump, runs only from your belly button down. But go on online communities where moms talk about their linea nigra patterns and baby's gender. You'll discover there's no real connection between the two. Just a fun myth to enjoy!

Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 20 if It's Boy

So, what pregnancy symptom has been linked to carrying a baby boy? You might hear that it means:

Mild morning sickness  

This study in the Journal of Epidemiology suggests women carrying girls experience severe morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum. So, the opposite might be true for moms expecting boys. But remember Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge? She famously went through hyperemesis gravidarum during all her pregnancies, even though she had two boys and a girl.

Cravings for salty or sour foods

Pregnancy can bring wild food cravings but don't get too caught up in them. They won't reveal your baby's gender.

Low baby bump position  

The shape and position of the bump depend on factors like your height, abdominal muscle tone, and your baby's position in the womb. Your baby's sex? Not a factor. Your ob-gyn will probably tell you your bump can sit higher during your first pregnancy. It may sit lower in your later pregnancies because your abdominal wall stretches.

Heart rate below 140 BPM  

The old wives' tale says that if a baby's heartbeat is around 140 beats per minute, it means it's a boy (a faster heartbeat might mean it's a girl). But a 2023 review of over 200 studies shows that while male fetuses typically have a slightly higher baseline heart rate, the difference isn't that big.

An ultrasound is the most accurate way to find out if you're having a little boy or girl. And guess what? Week 20 of your pregnancy is the ideal time to get a clear picture of your baby's sex.

Things to Be Careful About at 20 Weeks Pregnant

At this point, keep an eye on these things to continue having a safe and healthy pregnancy:

• Avoid lying flat on your back. Try to sleep on your side, preferably the left, to reduce blood flow to the placenta and cause breathlessness.
• Check your fluid intake. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and support amniotic fluid levels.
• Monitor your blood pressure. High or low blood pressure can affect your well-being—keep an eye on any dizziness or swelling.
• Steer clear of cat litter boxes. Be careful about exposing yourself to cat feces. It can bring the risk of toxoplasmosis, an infection you can get from a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that can harm your baby's development.
• Avoid high-risk foods: Skip raw/undercooked meats, unpasteurized dairy, and soft cheeses to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Welcoming the Second Half of Your Pregnancy

As you anticipate the weeks ahead, pay close attention to your body's signals, nourish yourself with care, and keep bonding with your little one. Talk to your baby, caress that growing belly, and soak in the joy of this experience.

Remember, every pregnancy tells its own story. So, celebrate this remarkable milestone of reaching Week 20 of your pregnancy! You're doing a fantastic job.

Head here for Week 21 of your pregnancy. Enjoy this exciting time with fellow moms-to-be at ParenTeam's Facebook group!