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You and your baby at 20 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 20 weeks

By 20 weeks, your baby's skin is covered in a white, greasy substance called vernix. It's thought this helps protect the skin during the many weeks in the amniotic fluid.

You at 20 weeks

At 20 weeks pregnant, you're halfway through your pregnancy. You may develop a dark line down the middle of your tummy. This is normal skin pigmentation as your tummy expands to accommodate your growing bump.

Normal hair loss slows down, so your hair may look thicker and shinier.

Find out how to deal with common pregnancy problems including feeling faint, feeling hot, cramp, constipation and more.

Things to think about

Pregnancy can be a trigger for domestic abuse or domestic violence, and existing abuse may get worse. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, and it puts you and your baby in danger.

If you're pregnant and being abused by your partner or a family member, you can speak to your midwife or doctor, or call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247.

Start4Life has more about you and your baby at 20 weeks of pregnancy

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Video: Where does my pregnancy weight come from?

In this video, a midwife discusses where the extra weight in pregnancy comes from.

Media last reviewed: 14 March 2023
Media review due: 14 March 2026

Page last reviewed: 13 October 2021
Next review due: 13 October 2024