Halfway. Week 20 is the midpoint of pregnancy, and there's something about crossing it that makes the whole thing feel more real.
At 20 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a banana, about 25.6cm long, and is now covered in a protective white layer called vernix.1
How big is the baby at 20 weeks?
About 25.6cm, close to a banana, and right at the halfway mark of pregnancy.1
What's happening with the baby at 20 weeks
The baby is now coated in vernix, a white greasy layer that shields the skin while it floats in the amniotic fluid.1 It's a clever bit of biology, a built-in barrier doing its job for the rest of the pregnancy.
What's common around week 20
As the womb keeps growing, a lot of people feel aches at the sides of the belly. These are known as round ligament pains, and many notice them around the middle of pregnancy.1 If anything feels worrying, your midwife or doctor is the right person to check in with.
One thing to set up this week: get familiar with tracking
You won't be logging feeds or sleep yet, but the halfway point is a relaxed time to look around the app before the newborn days arrive.
Spend a few minutes seeing how nappi tracks feeds, sleep, and nappies. When the baby's here and you're running on three hours of sleep, the muscle memory is already there. It's the difference between learning a tool in a calm moment and learning it at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vernix and why is the baby covered in it?
Vernix is a white, greasy layer that coats the baby's skin and protects it while the baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid.1
What are round ligament pains at 20 weeks?
They're aches felt at the sides of the belly as the womb grows, and many people notice them around the midpoint of pregnancy. A midwife or doctor can talk through anything that feels off.1
References
1. NHS. "You and your baby at 20 weeks pregnant." Link