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20 Weeks Pregnant: The Halfway Point

Medically reviewed by

Verena Brehm, Midwife Jul 29, 2026

Line illustration of a banana: at 20 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a banana, roughly 16cm crown to rump

Line drawing of a 20-week foetus settled in a relaxed curled pose at the halfway point

Line drawing of a woman's torso at 20 weeks pregnant, showing the uterus level with the navel at the halfway point

Your baby is the size of a

Banana

~320 grams

~16 cm / ~6.3 in

Key Takeaways

At 20 weeks pregnant, you are halfway there. Per Mayo Clinic, your baby is about 16cm (160mm) crown to rump and weighs about 320g, is regularly sleeping and waking, and might be wakened by noises or your movements.

This is often when movement becomes real. Mayo Clinic notes you 'might be able to feel your baby's movements,' sometimes called quickening. The SOGC notes first-time mothers may not feel it until 18-20 weeks.

Your detailed anatomy scan usually falls around now. SOGC recommends an 'anatomic' ultrasound that 'looks at your baby's anatomy,' usually offered in the second trimester between 18 and 22 weeks.

Your Baby at 20 Weeks: Development & Growth

At 20 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 160 millimetres (roughly 16cm) long from crown to rump and weighs about 320 grams, according to Mayo Clinic. This week your baby is regularly sleeping and waking, and might be wakened by noises or your movements.

Your baby measures about 16cm this week — roughly the length of a banana. Mayo Clinic gives it as "about 6 1/3 inches (160 millimeters) long from crown to rump" and "about 11 ounces (320 grams)." That crown-to-rump measurement is still how length is taken at this stage.

There is a rhythm to your baby now. Mayo Clinic notes that at the halfway point your baby "is regularly sleeping and waking and might be wakened by noises or your movements" — a small, ordinary detail that makes the whole thing feel suddenly real.

Just before this, a protective layer formed. Mayo Clinic explains that around week 19 "a greasy, cheeselike coating called vernix caseosa starts to cover your baby," which "helps protect your baby's delicate skin" from the amniotic fluid it floats in.

The weeks ahead bring fine detail. Mayo Clinic notes that by week 21 your baby is "completely covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo," and the sucking reflex is developing — "so your baby may be able to suck a thumb."

Your Body at 20 Weeks: Symptoms & Changes

At 20 weeks pregnant, many mothers feel the first real movements. Mayo Clinic notes you might be able to feel your baby's movements, sometimes called quickening. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) explains that some women feel movement as early as 13-16 weeks, while first-time mothers may not feel it until 18-20 weeks. Every pregnancy is different.

The change most women wait for this week is movement. Mayo Clinic notes that at the halfway point you might be able to feel your baby's movements — this is sometimes called quickening. Faint at first, then unmistakable.

Timing varies, and that is normal. The location of the placenta influences when fetal movements are felt, and the SOGC explains that some women feel movement as early as 13-16 weeks from the start of their last period, but first-time moms may not feel movement until 18-20 weeks. By 24 weeks, the SOGC notes, almost all women will feel their baby's movements in a predictable way.

Early flutters are easy to mistake for something else. SOGC puts it plainly: at first it will be difficult to distinguish between fetal movement and intestinal gas, but after a while you will be able to feel a pattern in the movements. The pattern is the part that matters.

Your body is carrying more than the baby, too. SOGC explains that weight gain isn't just the baby — your placenta, increased blood volume, larger breasts, and fat stores to support breastfeeding also contribute. A rounder middle is your body doing its work.

Other discomforts can still be part of your week. SOGC lists tender or swollen breasts, constipation, gas and bloating, backaches, headaches, mood swings and leg cramps among common symptoms — and adds that every pregnant woman is different. Some will sail through pregnancy with very few symptoms, and others will be dogged with multiple discomforts throughout the 9 months.

What to Do at 20 Weeks Pregnant

NUTRITION AT 20 WEEKS PREGNANT

Keep adding about 340 extra calories a day. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) states: "In the second trimester you need about 340 extra calories per day." It notes this "generally equates to 2 or 3 additional servings from any of Canada’s Food Guide’s food groups" — for example a piece of toast and a cup of milk, or an apple and ¾ cup of yogurt.
Stay on top of iron. SOGC advises increasing "your daily iron intake to 27mg daily during the final six+ months of pregnancy to support an increase in red blood cells and fetal tissues," and notes that, like most women, "you may need a good supplement to meet this need."
Build meals around a varied, nutrient-dense diet. SOGC points to Canada’s Food Guide, noting that "a varied, nutrient-dense diet" helps meet the needs of both you and your baby — with attention to fibre (aim for 28g daily), omega-3 DHA (aim for 1.4g daily) and iodine (aim for 250mcg daily).
Include folate-rich foods and foods fortified with folic acid. Note that folate-rich foods don’t replace supplements. The Public Health Agency of Canada lists corn, oranges, beans, lentils and dark green vegetables like peas, spinach, broccoli and brussels sprouts as sources of folate — while stressing that "dietary sources on their own are not enough" to protect against neural tube defects.

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE AT 20 WEEKS PREGNANT

Keep taking 400mcg of folic acid daily. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends "a daily multivitamin with 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid" for anyone who could become pregnant, and advises: "Continue taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy and while breastfeeding."
Don’t increase folic acid on your own. The Public Health Agency of Canada advises: "You should not increase your dose of folic acid beyond 1 mg per day without talking to your health care provider."
Use a prenatal that covers iron. SOGC notes that, like most women, "you may need a good supplement" to reach 27mg of iron a day — the second and third trimesters are when this matters most.

LIFESTYLE TIPS AT 20 WEEKS PREGNANT

Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity a week. SOGC advises that "pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week," spread across "at least 3 days a week, and up to 7 days a week." Walking, swimming and stationary cycling are all good options, but be sure to reduce activity if you’re experiencing physical discomfort.
Get to know your baby’s movement pattern. SOGC notes that "your perception of your baby’s movements is one of the strongest indicators of your baby’s wellbeing," and that a settled pattern tends to be "consistent for any one baby, in any one pregnancy." Formal daily kick counts usually begin later, but paying attention now builds the habit.
Keep pelvic floor exercises going. SOGC notes that "pelvic floor muscle training (e.g., Kegel exercises) can be performed every day to reduce the risk of urinary incontinence."
Keep caffeine to 300mg a day. Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 300 mg for people who are pregnant. Health Canada puts one 8oz (237ml) cup of brewed coffee at about 135mg — so roughly two cups is the ceiling, and that total includes tea, cola and chocolate.

When to Contact Your Doctor or Midwife

Most of week 20 is a steady, welcome stretch. But some symptoms should always be checked. Contact your doctor, midwife or other health care provider if you experience:

Any vaginal bleeding. The SOGC advises taking any vaginal bleeding seriously and contacting your health care provider as soon as you notice any bleeding. It notes that about one-third of pregnancies have some bleeding before the 20th week, and about half of these continue without further issues — but it should always be assessed.
Signs of infection, or heavy bleeding. SOGC advises that if you have signs of infection like fever, or heavy bleeding, you should see your care provider right away. If bleeding is heavy or you feel very unwell, seek emergency medical care immediately.
A change in your baby's movements, once you feel them regularly. SOGC advises that if you ever have concerns regarding your baby's movement pattern, you should have the baby assessed as soon as possible. Trust your instinct — this is one of the strongest signals you have.
Persistent low mood or disruptive mood swings. SOGC advises that depression or disruptive mood swings are not normal and it is important to seek help for these more serious concerns.
Severe abdominal pain, or any symptom that frightens you. Sudden, severe pain warrants urgent assessment — seek emergency medical care immediately if it is intense or you feel faint. For anything that simply worries you, your health care provider is there for exactly that.

أسئلة مكررة

How big is my baby at 20 weeks pregnant?

At 20 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 160 millimetres — roughly 16cm — from crown to rump and weighs about 320 grams, according to Mayo Clinic. Length is still measured crown to rump at this stage.

Should I be feeling my baby move at 20 weeks?

Often, yes — but not always, and both are normal. Mayo Clinic notes that at the halfway point "you might be able to feel your baby’s movements," sometimes called quickening. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) explains that some women feel movement as early as 13–16 weeks, while "first-time moms may not feel movement until 18-20 weeks." By 24 weeks, SOGC notes, almost all women feel movement in a predictable way.

What is the 20-week ultrasound for?

It is the detailed anatomy scan. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) explains that this "anatomic" ultrasound "looks at your baby’s anatomy," is "usually offered in the second trimester, between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation," and captures images "to view the development of your baby’s brain, face, heart, spine, chest, major organs, feet, and hands." The placenta, umbilical cord and fluid around the baby are also checked.

Can I find out the sex at my 20-week scan?

Often, yes — if you want to. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) notes that "if the baby’s sex is determined during the ultrasound, you have the right to request this information." Whether it can be seen depends on your baby’s position, and whether you ask is your choice.

How much caffeine is safe at 20 weeks pregnant?

Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 300 mg for people who are pregnant. Health Canada puts one 8oz (237ml) cup of brewed coffee at about 135mg, so roughly two cups a day is the ceiling — and that total should include tea, cola and chocolate, which also contain caffeine.

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