Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 20)

Week 20 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 20)

What are the key advantages to signing up for childbirth classes?

Here are six reasons why you should make the effort to join these classes:

• Childbirth classes can help reduce your anxiety about giving birth by giving you an idea of what to expect - whether you end up having a vaginal or C-section delivery

• They educate you about various birthing options

• They give you the opportunity to make friends with other expectant couples

• They can help you master breathing, relaxation and coping techniques designed to reduce labor pain as you perceive it.

• They give your partner the chance to play an active role in your pregnancy

• They give you an opportunity to raise your queries about pregnancy, labor, childbirth, breastfeeding and life after baby as well as drawing your attention to issues such as the pros and cons of episiotomy, circumcision etc.


What topics should childbirth classes cover?

Make sure the classes you sign up for covers as many of the following topics as possible:

• The physiology of pregnancy (how your body changes and why, and how you can cope with some of the common discomforts of pregnancy

• The basic elements of prenatal care (your doctors role in caring for you and your baby as well as the tests technology during pregnancy and labor)

• The psychological and emotional experience of giving birth

• What is involved in delivering vaginally and through a C-section

• Relaxation and or breathing techniques

• Laboring positions that can reduce pain or help your labor to progress

• The role of pain relief during labor

• Tips on getting breastfeeding off to a good start

• Advice on caring for your newborn

• Advice on choosing a pediatrician

• The lowdown on what postpartum period is really like

• Breastfeeding techniques

• Films and videos on actual vaginal and C-section births so that you are better prepared on what is to come

• The chance to tour the hospital or birth center at which you will be delivering

• The opportunity to ask questions or express concerns you may have

Childbirth classes should provide as much information and as little propaganda as possible. The bottom-line to a woman in labor are the vitals such as an understanding of relaxation techniques, the support of a caring partner and an overall feeling of confidence in her ability to give birth.

Some Basic Pointers (Week 20)

Ultrasound pictures

An ultrasound makes more sense or is easily understood when it is actually being done. The pictures you see are more like motion pictures; the pictures are two dimensional. An ultrasound done at this point (week 20) in pregnancy is helpful for confirming or helping to establish due dates. If the ultrasound is done very early or very late in pregnancy (first or last two months) the accuracy of dating the pregnancy is not very accurate. If two or more fetuses are present, they can be seen. Some fetal problems can also be detected.

Stretching abdominal muscles

Your abdominal muscles are being stretched and pushed apart as your baby grows. Muscles are attached to the lower part of your ribs and run vertically down to your pelvis; they may separate in the middle. These muscles are called rectus muscles. The separation will be more obvious when you are lying down and you raise your head, tightening your abdominal muscles. You might even feel the edge of the muscle on either side of the bulge. It is not painful and doesn't harm you or your baby. The uterus lies in the space between the muscles; you may feel the baby's movements more easily here. If this is your first baby, the separation may not be obvious at all. With subsequent pregnancies, the separation becomes more noticeable. Exercising can strengthen these muscles, but you may still have the bulge or gap. Following pregnancy these muscles tighten and the gap closes. The separation may not be as noticeable but it may still be present. A girdle probably won't help you get rid of the bulge or gap; it will probably help conceal it. Correct postnatal exercises will help you lessen the bulge or even get rid of it.

Sexual relations

As you grow larger, intercourse may become difficult because of the discomfort to you. With some imagination and different positions (avoid missionary), you can continue to enjoy sexual relations during this part of your pregnancy. If there is emotional pressure from your partner either his concern about safety issues or requests for frequent sexual relations, discuss openly with him. Invite your partner to prenatal visits to discuss these things with your doctor. If you are having problems with contractions, bleeding or complications, you and your partner should talk with your doctor.

Your Nutrition (Week 20)

Many women use artificial sweeteners to help cut calories. Aspartame and saccharin are the two most common artificial sweeteners used in foods and beverages. Aspartame (sold under brand names NutraSweet and Equal) are the most common ones in the market. Saccharin, not so popular today, is also added to many foods and beverages.

• Aspartame is a combination of phenylalanine and aspartic acid, two amino acids. There has been controversy as to its safety during pregnancy. It is advisable that you substitute foods that do not contain the sweetener. If you suffer from phenylketonuria, you must follow a low-phenylalanine diet or your baby will suffer adverse effects. In all other situations, limit your use of artificial sweeteners if you cannot help it.

• Saccharine is not as widely used as it was before. However some foods and beverages still contain saccharine. Its use in pregnancy is not safe so it is best to avoid foods and beverages with saccharine content during pregnancy. If you can avoid them, do not resort to artificial sweeteners. It is probably best to totally eliminate any substances you can do without from the foods you eat and beverages you drink.

Do it for the good of your baby.

Splenda is a trade name for a low-calorie sweetener called sucralose, and it is derived from sugar. Sugar passes through the body without being metabolized - your body does not recognize it as either sugar or carbohydrate which is what makes sucralose low calorie. Sucralose is used in salad dressings, baked goods, desserts, dairy products beverages, jams and jellies, coffee, tea, syrups. The good news is Splenda or sucralose is safe for pregnant and nursing women to use.