Week 20 is halfway. From here, your baby is usually measured from head to heel rather than head to bottom, which is why the number jumps.
Your baby this week
- Swallowing
- Your baby is swallowing more fluid, which is good practice for the gut.
- First stool
- The first stool, called meconium, is building up in the bowel. It's usually passed after birth.
- Movement
- Kicks and turns are getting stronger and easier to feel.
What you might notice
- A clear bump, and your belly button may start to flatten or pop out.
- Regular movement, for most people by around now.
- Heartburn, especially after big meals or lying down.
- Shortness of breath as your uterus pushes up.
Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit today if
- Your face, hands or feet swell suddenly, or you have a bad headache or blurred vision
- You have bleeding, fluid leaking, or regular tightenings or period-like cramps
- Once you know your baby's pattern, their movements slow down or change
- You have a fever, or it burns or stings when you pee
Any time of day or night. You will never be a nuisance for calling.
Coming up
Your anatomy scan, if it hasn't happened yet.
In many places a glucose test for gestational diabetes is offered.
Questions to bring to your next appointment
- What did the scan show, and is everything on track?
- What are the signs of high blood pressure I should know about?
- Will I be offered a glucose test, and when?
For your partner
Halfway is a good time to check in about how you're both feeling, not just the practical stuff.
NUGA follows you week by week
Enter your due date once and NUGA knows you're at week 20. The day before each appointment, it gathers what you've noted and the questions to bring.
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This page draws on public guidance from:
General information, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife or doctor knows yours. Last updated October 2026.