The twentieth week is a special, significant period of pregnancy. This week, many primiparous women feel the first movements of the baby. Has passed exactly half of pregnancy: behind a toxicosis, the most risky stage of development of a fetus, the first US. At the 20th week, the future mother may be assigned a second ultrasound examination during pregnancy . Particular attention is paid to the fetometry (basic parameters) of the fetus at 20 weeks, since it is the size of the child that allows one to determine the deviations in its development.
Fetal parameters at week 20
Unlike the first ultrasound at 10-12 weeks, ultrasound of the fetus for 20 weeks is much more informative: not only the heart rate and the coccyx-parietal size (KTP) of the baby are recorded, but also weight, biparietal head size, head and abdomen circumference , the diameter of the chest, as well as the length of the thigh, lower leg, forearm and shoulder.
Why do we need such careful measurements? The size of the fetus at 20 weeks of pregnancy helps the obstetrician-gynecologist to draw conclusions about the rate of growth and development of the baby, to identify possible pathologies and to take the necessary measures in time.
However, small deviations in the growth and weight of the fetus in 20 weeks should not be a reason for panic. We are all different: thin and well-fed, with long or short legs and arms, round or extended head. All the differences are laid down on the genetic level, so it is not surprising that the fruits differ from each other. In addition, intrauterine development often occurs spasmodically, and in most cases children necessarily catch up with standards. There may also be mistakes in establishing the gestation period for the last menstruation.
Another thing is when the deviation from the norm exceeds two-week indicators. For example, the fetus of 20-21 weeks in basic parameters differs little from a baby 17-18 weeks. In this case, a delay in fetal development may indeed occur, which means that additional examination and treatment will be required.
Fetometry of the fetus is 20 weeks - the norm
What are the average parameters of the fetus at week 20? KTP (or fetal growth) at 20 weeks is normally 24-25 cm, and weight - 283-285 g. The BDP at 20 weeks can vary within 43-53 mm. The head circumference will be 154-186 mm, and the abdomen circumference - 124-164 mm. The diameter of the chest should normally be at least 46-48 mm.
The lengths of the limbs of the fetus are determined by the size of the tubular bones:
- femur - 29-37 mm;
- humerus - 26-34 mm;
- forearm bones - 22-29 mm;
- bones of the lower leg - 26-34 mm.
20th week of pregnancy - fetal development
In general, by the 20th week all the baby's organs are fully formed, their growth and development continues.
At 20 weeks, the baby finally opens his eyes, and he can reflexively blink. At this time, the fruit quite consciously sucking fingers and perfectly hears. From the 20th week of pregnancy, doctors recommend starting communication with the child. The baby is actively moving, and some mothers are already aware of the state of health and preferences of their offspring by the character of the fetal movements at week 20 .