20 weeks pregnant

Your baby

A coating called vernix helps protect your baby's skin in the amniotic fluid. Your baby is kicking, turning and practicing sucking movements. This guide now measures approximate length from head to heel instead of head to bottom. That change in measurement explains the apparent jump from week 19; it does not mean your baby suddenly grew that much in a week.

Your body

You may be noticing movements more clearly, although experiences vary. Leg cramps or changes in sleep may also be part of this stage. Bring up symptoms that affect rest and ask about suitable comfort measures. Do not use whether you feel a particular symptom, or the size of your bump, to interpret the outcome of a scan.

This week

Understanding the anatomy scan

The anatomy ultrasound looks at your baby's developing structures and other features of the pregnancy. It can provide useful information, but cannot detect every condition or guarantee a particular outcome. Ask which findings were assessed, whether all the needed views were obtained and whether any follow-up is recommended. If a term or measurement is unfamiliar, ask the clinician to explain it in context. Keep a note of the results and next steps so you know whom to contact with questions after the appointment, rather than trying to interpret a report alone.