Pregnancy Calendar Week 20

By pregnancy calendar week 20, your baby is covered in a white substance known as vernix caseosa. In addition to aiding his/her passage through the birth canal, vernix caseosa helps protect his/her skin from irritation caused by amniotic fluid.

Your Body during Pregnancy Calendar Week 20

For the remainder of your pregnancy, you can expect a weight gain of one-half to one pound per week. However, you may gain slightly more or less depending upon the weight of your baby, your pre-pregnancy health, and any complications you’ve experienced so far. If you have concerns about your weight gain, ask your healthcare provider for advice on any possible dietary modifications.

By pregnancy calendar week 20, the top of your uterus is at the same level as your navel. Your belly button may become an “outtie” from the pressure of your uterus. At this point in your pregnancy, you may also notice that the line between your navel and pubic hair has darkened. This is completely normal and the line will fade after you deliver.

Planning Your Baby’s Birth

Having a baby will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. To ensure a more positive birthing experience, many women decide to create a written birth plan or 'birth wish list'. This document discusses your wishes and helps everyone involved work out communication issues before the delivery.

Generally, a birth plan consists of a one page statement that describes your preferences for a normal delivery and a second description of how you wish to handle any complications that may arise. A good birth plan is both detailed and flexible. It clearly communicates your desires, yet leaves enough room for any deviations that may be necessary.

As you’re writing your birth plan, you may want to consider the following questions.

• Who do you want to be present at your child’s birth? Will there be a Doula, family friend, or your child’s siblings in the room?
• Would you like to listen to music during your labor?
• Do you want to be able to walk around between contractions?
• Do you want to wear your own clothing during your delivery?
• What do you want to do for natural pain relief? Would you like to try massage, breathing exercises, hot and cold packs, or a Jacuzzi?
• Do you want pain medication? If so, do you have a preference for a particular pain medication?
• Would you like an episiotomy? If you’re against the procedure, how do you plan to avoid one?
• Would you prefer a particular position in which to give birth?
• If a cesarean becomes necessary, do you have any special requests?
• What are your preferences for your baby's feeding and sleeping schedule?

The key to a good birth plan is discussing your wishes with your care provider. You may wish to wear your own clothes during delivery, but your hospital may have policies against this. You may wish to deliver in a particular position, but your doctor may not want you to. You may wish to walk around during contractions, but your doctor may want your baby's heart rate to be monitored during the entire labor. All of these wishes need to be discussed before you go into labor so modifications to your birth plan can be made.

• Natural Ways to Induce Labor
• How Soon Can I Take a Pregnancy Test
• How to Conceive a Boy
• How to Conceive a Girl
• Early Pregnancy Symptoms

• Fetal Movement
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 36
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 38
• Category:Pregnancy Week by Week
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 19

• Maternity Workout Clothes
• Hip Maternity Clothes for Cheap
• Artistic Maternity Photos
• Teen Pregnancy Quiz
• Pregnancy Gender Quiz