Time for a little 20 week pregnancy update. It’s so crazy…how the heck did we already reach 20 weeks? Time is flying by, which is so exciting yet scary at the same time. I’m such a planner, so as much as we want to meet this little cutie, we need some time to prep. 🙂 This little babe is now officially the size of “a big banana” according to my pregnancy apps. The ones I’ve been using are Ovia and Baby Center. A lot of the info overlaps but it’s fun to read all the little tid-bits.
We had our 20 week ultrasound and baby is measuring 2 days ahead of schedule. It’s so wild! Every time we get to see baby we are in complete awe. It’s all we end up talking about the rest of the day. How is my body capable of this? How is there a little human in there?
We were completely sucked in during our last ultrasound appointment…staring at the screen, listening to the ultrasound tech explain everything and then a 4D image popped up on the screen and Rob let out “it’s so cute!” My heart just about melted. It was such a special moment…seeing Rob’s face looking at our baby with so much love. Driving back from the appointment, he let out a chuckle and was like “I said that? I didn’t even realize it. I was so ‘in it.” It’s been a special time over here and we’ve really been embracing it all even more over the last few weeks. Each night we’re on the computer looking at baby furniture or watching YouTube videos about car seats. It’s so funny how exciting these little things are…how that shift occurs. It feels so good.
Overall I’m feeling pretty well physically. I have a lot of energy during the day, however those dreaded back aches have set in. This last week was tough, hardly sleeping, tossing and turning for hours. After being up until 3am the other night due to leg aches and back pain, Rob ordered me this pillow. I’ll report back about it. 🙂 Hopefully it works. I didn’t want to order any “extra” things throughout this pregnancy, but I’ve heard good things so we’ll see. Any suggestions for restless legs at night and back pain?
I’ve been using a lot of Burt’s Bees products and their Mama Bee products have become a big part of my nightly routine. The leg and foot cream has a nice cooling feeling from the peppermint which has been comforting. I usually slather on their body butter or body oil in the evening too.
Side note: I bought this dress from Free People in two colors. It’s so great for pregnancy even though it’s not maternity wear. Anything with an elastic I’m all about these days. 🙂 You might recognize it from my first trimester post.
My weight has been pretty consistent throughout my adult life, so I’m always a little surprised when I look in the mirror in the morning. This is my new belly, my new butt, these are my new thighs. This is the home I am creating for our baby to grow in and I’ve never been more appreciative of my body. I guess in some way I never knew if I would be capable of this. It is a little weird looking back at some old photos and thinking my body has changed so much already…almost in the blink of an eye. What will it look like in another 20 weeks? Rob has been such an amazing support system throughout this…making sure I’m feeling loved and beautiful because I definitely have had a few insecure nights where I doubt myself. I’m thankful he’s there to talk to and hug me when I’m crying over something silly.
The other night I felt the baby move for the first time. I was laying in bed running through my to-do list for the next day, while also wondering if we finished everything we needed to do that day (its so bad, I always do this which always keeps me up later than I should)…and then all of a sudden a little flutter on my left side. I put my hands on my belly, waiting and hoping it would happen again. And then it did! Three consistent little movements from this little one and my jaw dropped. Rob was asleep next to me and I contemplated waking him up for a good three minutes. I wanted him to feel the baby so badly. I did end up waking him up, but I think it’s too early for him to feel the baby just yet. I can’t wait until he can because this little one has been so active lately, especially at night.
I’ve loved documenting this process so far. It’s been so great to connect with some of you mamas and mamas-to-be out there too! Hope you’re all feeling well! If there’s anything else you guys are interested in, let me know. I’ve started working on a baby book over here too, so it’s been journaling non-stop around here! 😉 Anyone else around 20 weeks?
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*Check out some previous pregnancy posts HERE.
What a great read! I am 22 weeks and it’s so nice to hear from another soon to be mama!
I’m 20 weeks today! We found out this week that we’re having a little girl! This is our first pregnancy, and we’re both so thrilled! It’s crazy that you’re someone I happened to come across on Instagram a year or so ago and followed you for your style and travel pictures. Now I look forward to your pregnancy posts because I’m going through the same thing. Good luck with the second half of your pregnancy!
20w, measuring 21w. So either or! So much fun that we are going through the same things!
I used magnesium with my leg aches when pregnant. Took the pain away!!! Congrats! Having your first is so exciting!
I am 16 weeks and I swear by magnesium! It has helped my restless leg immensely!
I’m also 20 weeks tomorrow (Monday 18th)
i found out a couple weeks ago we’re having a little girl. Due on the 8th of July.
I also started feeling her kick last Friday and she’s already become strong enough that I can see those kicks and her wiggling in my belly, it’s so comforting.
Good luck with your second half of your pregnancy 😊
Such a sweet post. Regular massages really improved my back pain when I was pregnant. It can be expensive, but it made me so much comfortable that it was worth every penny. I went to a massage therapist who specialized in neuromuscular massage, which I would highly recommend (goes beyond just general relaxation and really focuses on any points of pain you’re having). A pregnancy pillow helped a lot too, especially in the third trimester—hopefully yours will work well too! Take good care of yourself!
30 weeks here! Getting the recommended amount of magnesium during the day really helped me with restless/ache legs. And a Prego pillow also helped with back pain.
I’m 35 weeks with my first. Exercise has been huge for me with restless legs and back pain. It also helps with sleeping through the night. Right now I’m either doing a modified workout video or walking 3 miles 6 days a week and trying to keep that up through the rest of my pregnancy. Regular chiropractic care has also been helpful for me.
I’m dying to know if/when you guys might be revealing the gender??
Oh! And I got some Blanqui maternity leggings and a tank and they have been really supportive for my back!
I’ll be 20 weeks on Tuesday! This is our second babe, & this time we’re keeping the gender a surprise!! We found out with our 4 year old son but holding out with this one 🙂
Ohhh restless legs!! So frustrating! The only thing I found to help me was using essential oils to relax me and help me fall asleep! I used Tranquil from Young Living( So if you know someone who sells it, I would highly recommend trying that… or something similar! ) and it helped immensely! I would just apply to either my wrists, bottom of my feet, back of neck, and sometimes directly on my calves(usually a combo of those spots).
What an fantastic time this is… I am so exciting for you and it’s good to hear the baby is doing well! <3
There are some moves you can try during the day to find some relief from your back pain. It has helped me a lot during my two pregnancies. When sitting put your legs apart as far as possible (not very ladylike, but it helps!) and make sure you keep a good, straight up posture and the knees bend well. When lying down, lie on your back and put the heels of your feet together. Let the knees fall to the outside, creating the (so they told me) so called butterfly effect. It is very soothing before bedtime.
Also, keep switching in movement. During the day keep switching between walking, lying down, sitting. I also went to a specialised therapist that massaged the muscles every two weeks. Maybe something to consider if the pain gets too much. I am from the Netherlands, I don't know if you have somebody available like that in the U.S. but a pregnancy massage may also do the trick!
What also has been a life saver for me is the Yoga With Adriene video 'Yoga For Lower Back Pain'. I have used it after my pregnancies, but you can always look which moves you can keep doing within the next 20 weeks. Some are definitely doable until the very last.
I hope these tips can help you a bit. I wish you all the best and a good health for you and baby!
We just had our first at the beginning of January and I had a lot of back and hip pain too. But, like you, I didn’t want anything extra for pregnancy! I finally gave in and ordered that massive pregnancy pillow but it was just not comfortable and I hated how huge it was. I ended up returning it and buying a smaller pillow (I think it’s called something like a “boppy wedge”) that you put between your knees when you sleep. My pain was gone and it’s small enough that I was easily able to put it in storage after our son was born for when we have another 🙂