Pregnancy Diary Week 20
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 20
Do you feel a bit fed up and fat? This is not uncommon at week 20, although you’ve reached the halfway point experiencing mid-way blues can happen. If you think about it, you’re no longer in the early stages of excitement and worry, and you still have a good while to go before you’re going to give birth. It may help to focus on what’s happening inside you this week, and why not treat yourself to some delicious, nutritious cantaloupe melons? Find out about their benefits for you and baby further below.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 20: How Is Your Baby Growing?
If you are anxious and excited about your baby’s progress, now is the best time to have another ultrasound. The pregnancy scan during this period is known as an Anatomy Survey Scan, and can take place between 18 to 22 weeks. If you want to know exactly what to expect from this scan, just click here on Anatomy Survey Scan.
If you are having a baby girl, you should know that by this time, her uterus has now fully developed and her ovaries contain around 7 million eggs. Meanwhile, if you’re having a baby boy, his testicles have now descended from the abdomen to the scrotum. Beginning this week, you may start feeling the acrobatic movement of the foetus.
What you can expect
At week 20, there are still lots of pregnancy symptoms that you are experiencing. First, vaginal discharge is still present and as days pass, its volume increases. As the baby begins to crowd your body more as she grows, heartburn and digestion can be frequent companions in your life! Also, shortness of breath can happen due to the expansion of the uterus.
Mild swelling and leg cramps are still present. Make sure to drink plenty of water and do some stretches to prevent the legs from cramping.
On the other hand, mild swelling shouldn’t really be a major concern during pregnancy. It eventually diminishes after delivery. Surprisingly, your energy and libido increase beginning this week.
Due to the increase of pregnancy hormones in your body, you can notice that your hair is getting thicker and fuller. Also, your nails can turn brittle, dry and stronger. Some pregnant women report symptoms such as occasional headaches, dizziness and faintness during this time.
Canteloupe Melons For Pregnancy Nutrition
Eating cantaloupe melons during pregnancy can contribute to maintaining your good health and that of your baby. Cantaloupes contain lots of vitamins, minerals and nutrients which are very beneficial to pregnant women and to their babies.
Belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, cantaloupe is a ground-growing oval fruit which contains seeds. It’s yellow/orange coloured flesh is naturally soft and when ripe, it has a husky smell.
Cantaloupe melons contain high levels of vital nutrients which provide lots of health benefits to the body. It is packed with 19 vitamins and other minerals with a minimal amount of calories per serving.
Apart from being an excellent source of dietary fibre, cantaloupe is also fortified with Vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, folic acid, Vitamin C, carotenes and potassium. As commonly known, intake of folic acid in pregnant women is beneficial in preventing the onset of neural tube defects. Meanwhile, Vitamin A and beta-carotene content are useful in optimising eye health.
Its Vitamin C helps in boosting the immune system of the body which enables it to fight against infections. It also helps in scavenging free radicals which is one of the major risk factors for cancer. The fruit actually contains lots of antioxidants which help in preventing the onset of heart diseases and cancer. Also, Vitamin C is useful in regenerating the Vitamin E in the body which has become inactive.
Cantaloupe delivers high levels of proteins which are useful in maintaining healthy nails, hair and skin. Cantaloupe is also a good source of potassium, a mineral which plays a vital role in regulating the balance of fluids and minerals in the body. It helps in regulating digestion, muscle function, energy and blood pressure.
According to research, intake of cantaloupe melons is beneficial to people of all ages. The fruit contains nutrients which are useful in treating and preventing the onset of diseases such as insomnia, menstrual problems, high cholesterol, cataracts, stroke, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, water retention, stress and menstrual cramps.
Pregnancy Diary Week 20
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.