Today I am 20 weeks and 2 days....

Your Pregnancy: A Week-by-Week Guide

You are now going on 21 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING WITH YOU THIS WEEK:

At your prenatal appointment your provider has probably been measuring the height of your uterus (fundal height) since it appeared above your pubic bone. After about 20 week, this measurement generally correlates with your dates. Fundal height measurements assess growth from visit to visit. If the measurement is consistently "small" or "large," the first thing to look at is the accuracy of dating. More than one baby is a possibility if your uterus measures "large for dates." If the fundal height is "small for dates," this might be an indication that your baby is smaller than expected. Ultrasound would be performed for any inconsistency in fundal height. After about 36 weeks the measurement for fundal height becomes less accurate as your baby settles into your pelvis.

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK:

Weighing in at 13 to 14 ounces, and measuring 17.5 centimeters crown-to-rump, your baby is now busy putting fat onto those bones. Most likely, you have felt your baby's in-utero gymnastics. With lots of amniotic fluid providing room to move, your baby will be very active. Babies have sleep and wake cycles and you may find that these get more predictable as the months progress. Babies are typically active in the late evening, just when Mom is trying to get to sleep.

FACT OF THE WEEK

Studies by Dr. Miriam Labbok, director of the breastfeeding division at Georgetown University Medical Center, indicate that the U.S. could save two to four billion dollars each year in health costs if all mothers breastfeed their newborns for at least the first three months. Here are a few more reasons to consider breastfeeding:

· There is strong evidence that breastfeeding reduces the incidence of diarrhea, lower-respiratory infection, ear infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial meningitis, Crohn's Disease, colitis and other diseases (American Academy of Pediatrics).

· Studies have shown that breastfed babies have significantly higher IQs (about eight points) than their formula-fed counterparts.

· There may be a link to a decreased incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among breastfed babies.

· Numerous benefits to mothers include a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancers, as well as a lower incidence of hip fractures during the post-menopausal period.