31 In Pregnancy

20 Weeks Pregnant Update

Hey sweet friends!

I am now officially 20 weeks pregnant and I thought it would be fun to update you all on how I’m feeling and what symptoms I am experiencing. This is obviously not my first pregnancy, but each pregnancy is different and it is fun to connect with others who understand.

We found out via bloodwork some weeks back that this baby is a GIRL!

***

This post may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are always honest and my own.

If you would rather WATCH my pregnancy update, I also recorded a video for you on my YouTube Channel!

Ultrasound: We had our anatomy ultrasound last week, which is always fun. I took the four oldest kids with me and they loved it. It was really special to see how excited they all were and to hear their exclamations every time they saw different things on the screen.  The baby looks great, everything checked out well and we got some cute little pictures! She cooperated quite well for us!

ultrasound 20 weeks pregnant

Baby Size and Development: According to the ultrasound, the baby weighs about 11 ounces now. She’s also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel – about the length of a small banana. Gotta love those pregnancy fruit images!

Baby’s Heartrate: the baby’s heart rate has been around 147 bpm. Now the old wives tale says that when the heart rate is under 140 beats, it means you are having a boy and over 140 means a girl. Yes, I am having a girl, but I have my own predictions about heart rate! Keep in mind this is my 7th baby. My first child was a boy and his heart rate was always in the 160’s. My girls have ranged between 170 and 140 bpm. I have noticed that when my babies have the higher heart rates in the womb, they tend to be the more active children out of the womb. And by active, I mean physically and… personality wise. So, this baby has a lower heart rate for my babies, and I am predicting that she will be a pretty calm baby.

Baby Movement: I have been feeling movement! It started around 16 weeks for me, with those little nudges that are so dear to us mamas. This little one seems pretty calm so far (notice my heart rate prediction!), but I am still feeling pretty regular movement every day. It is not strong enough for anyone else to feel yet, so I am just enjoying it on my own.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 20 Weeks: Thankfully, most of my symptoms have abated for now. I am occasionally breathless, and still have some heartburn. But my all day nausea has been gone for awhile and I do have more energy. My skin has been pretty clear this time, which is a nice change from previous pregnancies.

Weight Gain: I have gained somewhere around the 6-8 pound range so far, which is pretty low for me at this point. I’m pretty happy with that. I do not normally worry about weight gain during my pregnancies. That doesn’t mean I go crazy, that just means I am more concerned with the type of weight I gain than with the number on the scale. I eat as healthy as possible and try to workout 4-5 times a week. My goal is to feel good and keep my energy up. My goal this time is to keep my weight gain around 15 pounds, but I am fine with 20 pounds.

Pregnancy Sleep: Ahhh, sleep. Sleeping is a bit funny for me right now. In a way, I am sleeping better than I was. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom and that’s it. However, I am waking up much earlier in the mornings- Like, 4:30- 5:00 am early! My typically wake up time is around 6 am, so this is new to me. I don’t know why it’s happening or how long it will last, but I do like to wake up before my children for many reasons, so I am making the best of it for now. The only thing is that I get tired in the mid afternoon now and it is rare that I get to take a nap. I’ve been going to bed pretty early so I can still get about 7 hours of sleep.

Baby bump 20 weeks pregnant

Pregnancy Cravings: Thankfully, I haven’t had a lot of cravings in this pregnancy. The first trimester is always rough for me, so we won’t go there. But lately the one thing I have been craving is root beer. I find that annoying as I normally don’t drink soda. I tried buying a root beer extract and adding it to sparkling water, but that didn’t quite do it for me. I’m letting myself indulge in a glass or two a week and hoping that craving will go away. The only other thing I am loving is banana peppers…I put them on everything!

Hormone and Emotional Changes: I am not a very emotional person in general so when pregnancy hormones hit, I am not really a fan. I have definitely been more weepy and my patience level is lower. My children and my husband look at me like I am crazy sometimes, but that’s ok! It’s for a good reason!

Clothing: I am completely in maternity clothing now. I like to wear clothes that are comfortable and breathable, yet cute and trendy. I am thankful to Mommylicious Maternity for sending me this cute shirt that I can wear with almost anything. It is so comfortable and lightweight and will stretch throughout my pregnancy. If you are looking for some affordable maternity clothes, check out their site and browse until your heart’s content.

Mommylicious Maternity 20 weeks

Products I’m Using Now: This one is tough, because I seem to use less and less with each pregnancy. I do drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, starting around 15 weeks, in all my pregnancies. I encourage you to do your own research on this, but I firmly believe it has helped me in numerous ways during pregnancy and delivery, and even newly postpartum. The other thing I use on a daily basis is my pregnancy pillow. I highly recommend getting a pregnancy pillow so your changing body is supported throughout your pregnancy. It makes my sleep so much better! I suffer from sciatica, so the support I get from my pregnancy pillow is imperative.

***

I am being monitored a bit more closely this pregnancy. As many of you know, I had a miscarriage at about 13 weeks last fall. That miscarriage was due to Trisomy 21, so we were able to get some special testing done this time. The bloodwork and all testing came back all normal, and this baby appears to be very healthy so far, so we are very thankful. I will be having monthly ultrasounds, as one of my daughters always measured small in the womb, so they are monitoring this baby’s growth. I am just leaving this pregnancy in God’s hands and trusting in His will because ultimately, my babies belong to Him.

 

AND…WE HAVE A NAME! It actually wasn’t a hard decision at all, especially considering this is our 6th girl (no, we have not been trying for a boy. The only thing we wanted was a healthy baby, especially after my miscarriage). We had a backup name picked out for our last daughter, but I was convinced that God told me what to name her instead. So, that backup name is now going to be this little girl’s name and I am thrilled with it! We don’t announce until the baby is here, so you’ll have to wait and see!

[mailerlite_form form_id=5]

You Might Also Like

31 Comments

  • Reply
    Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy
    June 19, 2017 at 7:23 am

    Aww, you are looking so cute!!! 🙂 I hope the rest of your pregnancy passes without any problems friend!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 7:43 pm

      Thank you so much, Danielle! I appreciate it! I feel good right now!

  • Reply
    Lydia
    June 19, 2017 at 7:26 am

    Oh how exciting for you! Congratulations! And that pink looks so pretty on you by the way!

  • Reply
    Annie
    June 19, 2017 at 7:32 am

    You look beautiful! I loved having our anatomy scan to see our little babe. T must’ve been so fun for your older kids too! I love that you brought them

  • Reply
    Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups
    June 19, 2017 at 7:32 am

    You look beautiful! What a sweet moment to share with your older kids at the ultrasound.

  • Reply
    Harmony, Momma To Go
    June 19, 2017 at 7:35 am

    wow you look incredible! 6th girl, you are a pro! Enjoy! and enlist those older kids as helpers for sure!

  • Reply
    Erin
    June 19, 2017 at 8:21 am

    That is such exciting news-congratulations!! Six girls-what a blessing-lots of big sisters t help ?
    I hope the rest of the pregnancy goes smoothly. All the best!!

  • Reply
    Alexandra
    June 19, 2017 at 8:55 am

    So glad you’re feeling well! You look amazing in your 7th pregnancy! ? Praying for a healthy pregnancy and baby for you ?

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      I truly appreciate that, Alexandra! <3

  • Reply
    Rachel G
    June 19, 2017 at 9:09 am

    I’m the oldest of 6 girls! 🙂 We do have one brother–but families with lots of girls are awesome. A healthy baby is an amazing blessing, may the rest of your pregnancy continue smoothly!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Really?! My oldest is our only boy too! He will have 6 sisters now, lol.

  • Reply
    Davi
    June 19, 2017 at 9:43 am

    Wow 6 girls! I’m about to have daughter #2. I’ve told my husband to be prepared to have all girls if we decide to go for #3! I’m 36 weeks and really haven’t had any symptoms at all (other than gaining weight lol), so I’ve been lucky. This is pregnancy #7 for me, but the first to make it out of the 1st trimester so I just assume God’s giving me a little break with the bad pregnancy symptoms 😉 I did wake up super early like you in the 2nd trimester every morning!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 7:45 pm

      Girls are fun! I’m in awe of God’s grace and provision all the time. He really does care. This is amazing…I am actually due on the exact day we found out our last baby’s heart stopped, at 13 weeks. That is God’s timing.

  • Reply
    Jackie Speed
    June 19, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    You seriously look so great! 7th baby!? You go girl! I have two and want more but pregnancy is so hard for me, I am one of those “absolutely hates it” type. I also get super sick and I worry about the weight gain and I always gain way too much. I loved getting to read up on you and your baby girl, thank you for sharing!!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 7:43 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Pregnancy is so different for everyone. My first trimester are rough and I actually don’t go into labor, so that is really hard on me- physically and emotionally. Other than that, I have pretty easy times.

  • Reply
    Anne | onedeterminedlife
    June 19, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    Congrats on the pregnancy!! Yeah for baby girls! You look amazing.

  • Reply
    Ashley
    June 19, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    Oh munchkin goodness you look amazing! I cannot believe you’ve had 5 children! Bow down to you, that’s incredible I am sitting here with just one and I’m set! Congratulations on your pregnancy, I can’t wait to hear the name!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 3:01 pm

      Lol, thank you! I have actually had 6 children…my oldest is our only boy!

  • Reply
    April Kitchens
    June 19, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    Congrats on having a girl! Yesss team girl! I remember being 20 weeks and it was a great time.

  • Reply
    Victoria with One Sharp Mama
    June 19, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Congrats on your beautiful little girl. I can’t wait until she is here to find out her name. You’re half way there mama. You’ve got this. I remember my sleep changing so much around this time. I would wake up so many times and my mind would be racing with things I needed to do or needed to research. The last twenty weeks or so will fly by!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 7:41 pm

      Yes, that’s exactly it! I wake up at 4am and my mind just starts racing with everything. At least I’m getting things accomplished, for now!

  • Reply
    Ref J
    June 19, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Congrats! I loved reading all about your pregnancy, I can’t believe this is your seventh! May the remainder of your pregnancy be easy and filled with joy. Can’t wait to find out what name you guys have chosen.

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      Thank you so much, it would be wonderful!

  • Reply
    Brittany Putman
    June 19, 2017 at 7:08 pm

    How exciting! I am also 20 weeks along. We are having a little boy though and he is our first. Congrats!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 19, 2017 at 7:39 pm

      I know it! I’m so excited for you! I am always 2 weeks late…

  • Reply
    Kristin
    June 19, 2017 at 10:05 pm

    Lookin good mama! I had to laugh about the heart rate comment. With my oldest his was ALWAYS in the 150s-160s! He never made it down to the 140s my second was always right around 140. So exciting!

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 20, 2017 at 5:34 am

      Lol, see? We are on to something!

  • Reply
    Latasha Peterson
    June 20, 2017 at 9:41 am

    Awwww! You look amazing!!! I remember my 20-week ultrasound last year around this time when I found out I was having a BOY. I was so nervous to find out the gender, lol! I can’ t wait to be pregnant again (maybe sometime next year). I absolutely loved it! 🙂

  • Reply
    Suzanne
    June 21, 2017 at 7:37 am

    Congrats on another girl! You look beautiful.

  • Reply
    Erin | A Welder's Wife
    June 21, 2017 at 9:48 am

    So excited for you Terryn! You look great! I graduated with a girl who has five sisters. For them, it is definitely a blessing, because they are all very close. I am sure it will be no different for your family as they grow up together.

    • Reply
      terryn
      June 21, 2017 at 11:09 am

      Thanks so much, Erin! That is my prayer- that my girls will remain close to God and each other as they grow up!

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.