Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
20 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
You made it! You are now officially at the 50% mark of carrying your babies. With a 20-week twin foetus present in your womb all safe and sound, the happiness and excitement would be infectious to everyone. Most women tend to be at their best behaviour and feel ecstatic around this time, while an unlucky few might still be battling the bouts of nausea. The good news is that all of it will pretty much come to an end because more important things are on their way. And these are not merely related to your own body, but also for the babies who will see some of the most significant changes in their own body in the coming months.
The Growth of the Babies At 20 Weeks
The 20th week of pregnancy holds immense importance for babies for their development, as well as for doctors since it provides a massive load of information about your kids, helping them make the right medical decisions.
One of the largest internal developments that your children have is the development of the ability to know how one flavour is different from the other. They might not be able to identify or pin it down to a specific one conclusively, but they can taste the difference. Around this week, babies start consuming the amniotic fluid, through which they get their nutrition. This fluid tends to change its taste based on what you’ve had in your meals. Most of the times the taste borders on sweet and resembles the same flavour as that of your breastmilk. Combined with the reflexive tendency to suck on their thumbs when they drink the fluid, this is the first nudging of the evolutionary process to learn to breastfeed.
The triplets or twins residing inside your womb are now beginning to form their own biological gender identities. Male babies will have developed a small penis while their scrotal sacs will start descending to form the testicles. This process is pretty gradual since the scrotum needs to finish growing entirely for the testes to descend in them. Similarly, female babies will have developed their ovaries inside, with more than 5 million eggs already formed inside it, which tends to reduce by the time they emerge out into the real world. Similarly, her uterus also approaches completion while her vaginal canal initiates its growth in this week, creating a miraculous companionship inside you.
What is The Size of the Babies
Most babies tend to grow by around an extra centimetre from the last week, coming to about 15 to 16 centimetres, when measured from their head to their butt. Their weight also increases by approximately 40-60 grams, which might be less for multiples. In any case, your little ones would now be as large as a small banana in this week.
Common Bodily Changes
The completion of nearly half the pregnancy journey begins to put the body in a good sense of calm and stability. That being said, certain typical signs can affect the body’s behaviour much more intensely, than its physical appearance.
Whether you’ve been a fitness enthusiast or a woman who has had a fit body usually, the onset of the pregnancy and the growing belly would feel extremely weird around this time. In the usual state, the muscles that are present in the abdominal region, generally termed as abs, are arranged in a specific order, even if they may or may not be visible under your tummy fat. But once the uterus starts pushing your belly outside and attempts to make space for itself in the abdominal region, the muscles also need to move around and rearrange themselves to suit the changed structure. Women who have been used to seeing their muscles might be in for a weird vision when they lie down and see their stomach. This rearrangement is never painful, but very few women usually speak about lower back pain as a result of it.
The uterus expansion does not merely shift the organs in the abdominal region. It also begins to affect the ones present in the upper areas of your torso. All of this shifting starts affecting your diaphragm as well as your lungs. This might not make itself felt physical, but its effect would be pretty evident once you exert yourself or partake in an activity that increases your heart rate. Most women tend to mention about times when they find themselves taking short breaths or failing to take a large deep breath the way they could take before. Thankfully, this does not cause any problem to the pregnant mother, but care does need to be taken to make sure you don’t push yourself harder as a result of it.
While most changes might make you feel like the 20th week of pregnancy would be revolving around coming to terms with some more bodily changes that are discomforting to you, one of the welcomed effects is a high-level of energy that revitalises your very core. With nausea levels falling and the excitement of holding your babies taking over you, this mid-pregnancy period would be one of the highly treasured ones in your life.
Symptoms Of Twin Pregnancy At 20 Weeks
None of the signs that you might witness when pregnant with triplets or multiple babies is anything out of the ordinary from what you might have seen in the previous weeks. Most of them are just repeated irritations or only remnants of the past.
Water retention, boosted circulation, pooling of blood, and the ever-expanding uterus will all result in swellings and cramps in numerous areas of the body. The typical ones are your feet and legs, along with your face in certain areas. As long as the swelling doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, it all seems to be safe. Similarly, any stress on the abdomen or the back will result in an ache, which can usually seem to go away once appropriately massaged.
The stomach and intestines work in tandem to properly digest your food and help synthesise its nutrition. Their functioning depends heavily on their proper location within the body, and the levels of various hormones that regulate their activities. In pregnancy, the hormone levels are all over the place. Therefore, indigestion, passing farts, and constipation will be ever-present for quite some time.
Another sign of worry for women might be the discharge that continues to occur from the vagina. While it might look weird, it is normal. On the contrary, it is a strong sign that your body is functioning appropriately. Any foul smell or an odd colour of the discharge could spell the presence of an infection.
Twin Pregnancy - Belly At 20 Weeks
Once you have reached the 20th week of your pregnancy, most doctors would start measuring how large your belly is, and then continue doing so. This becomes another parameter to track the progress of your pregnancy. The measurements are usually taken from the front of the belly starting from the navel, around to your pubic bone.
The uterus sinks further below in the abdominal region, with the belly continuing to grow steadily, with an increased curvature. In the presence of triplets or multiples, the pressure can get too taxing for you, which can be reduced by using a maternity belt for support.
Twin Pregnancy at 20 Weeks - Ultrasound
The ultrasound that your doctor conducts around this period is one of the most crucial ones on all fronts.
If you have had regular checkups, you would be quick to notice the extended duration this ultrasound scan will take. This is because your doctor would observe your babies in-depth to understand if there are any anomalies or defects visible in their growth.
Similarly, you would be able to see your babies in more detail as well as listen to their strong heartbeats.
What To Eat
Balanced nutrition needs to continue through this week as well. This is also an excellent time to shift from a typical meal-eating routine to a one that is focused more on grazing through food throughout the day. Boiled and steamed food items remain at the top of the list, along with any nutritional supplements. Make sure your cravings don’t get in the way of a healthy diet.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Though things are changing, your pregnancy requires only the necessary tips to take care of itself effectively.
Dos
Start signing up for childbirth classes and discussing your birthing plans.
Focus heavily on maintaining high iron levels in your nutrition.
Dont's
Avoid indulging in stressful thinking regarding the future of your children.
Don’t forget to pair good food with a healthy exercise regimen at the right time.
What You Need To Shop For
The mid-point of your pregnancy is a great time to indulge in some useful shopping. You can purchase necessities such as:
Decorative items for the child’s crib or nursery
Thermal clothes and boots if the due date is in winter
Being pregnant with twins at 20 weeks should put you in a position of happiness and confidence. You have safely got your babies this far and there’s just the same amount of time to go ahead. In no time, you will have the babies in your arms and your heart will be filled with joy about being a mother.
Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 19
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 21 Read more
Check out this new Memory
Pawan Verma
Guardian of a 4 m old girl
3 mins ago
Smiles, giggles, and a whole lot of love
2 Likes
1 Comment
Neetu Nirwan sooooo beautiful 😍😍❤️
Suggested for you
Tips for Preparing the Republic Day Speech for Kids
Celebrated on the 26th of January, Republic Day is a day of pride for every Indian citizen. It was on this day that our Constitution came into existence in the year 1950. As a part of the various activities that take place during the celebration, the Republic Day speech holds utmost importance because it kickstarts the event and also helps share essential information about the rich and diverse heritage of our country. In schools, the task of writing and giving this motivational speech is often handed over to children. Participating in this extra-curricular activity is extremely beneficial for them as it helps them manage stage fright, and improve their researching, writing and elocution skills.
On the 26th of January, 1950, our Indian Constitution came into force. Since then, this day is celebrated as Republic Day. All the Indians celebrate this day with great pride and enthusiasm. Not only do all government offices commemorate this day, but also schools, educational institutions and residential societies. This speech thus needs to be carefully rendered, inspirational and should motivate the audiences too. Here are some tips for you to prepare the Republic Day Speech for your kid.
Tips to Help Your Child Prepare a Perfect Republic Day Speech
1. Polish Your Research and Explore
Even though you might be well aware of the significance and importance of Republic Day, ensure that you thoroughly research on the topic before beginning to write the speech. You might be surprised to find many facts that may be new to you, as you scour the internet. If your child is old enough to understand how to operate a computer, you may let him/her do the research and supervise or guide while writing the speech.
2. Time - A Crucial Factor
The length of the speech can be decided only after knowing the duration given to the speaker. Ensure you stick to the allotted time, and plan the speech accordingly.
3. Format of the Speech
Depending on the place and the audience, you need to plan the format of the speech. Below are some pointers that may help you in deciding the format:
If the event is being held in school, begin the speech with a few lines to welcome the guest of honour, the principal, teachers, parents and fellow students.
If the event is being held in your society, welcome the Chairman, the Secretary, the Chief Guest and then the audience.
Express your gratitude and pride for being given the opportunity to speak.
Explain the meaning of the constitution and how it came into existence.
Describe how this day is celebrated all over the country.
Pay tribute to the freedom fighters and soldiers of the Indian Army for their courage and bravery.
Finally, conclude with a vote of thanks.
Pledge Jai Hind! Or Vande Mataram! before leaving the floor.
4. Let Your Kid Write the Speech
Let your kid write the speech, mark useful and important instructions, etc. in his/her own handwriting. The child will know what to look for when practising or delivering the speech and will be more comfortable.
5. Help Your Kid Memorise the Speech
Because the speech will have some facts, your kid may forget them or get confused with the sequence when he/she is on the stage. Therefore, help your child memorise the facts and the names of the people in the speech. Explaining the entire historical event in exact details as though telling a story can make the speech interesting for your child and easy to remember too.
6. Demonstrate
If your child is unable to render the speech in the required manner, help him/her out by demonstrating how to give a speech, yourself. Explain where he has to pause, where to be spontaneous, where to bring voice and tone variations, etc.
7. Practice
Your child needs to practice the speech several times before he/she presents it in front of the audience. You may ask the family to be there when your kid rehearses the speech. Delivering a speech can help your child manage or get rid of stage fright and boost his/her confidence.
Now that you know how you can prepare your kid to give a Republic Day Speech, here is a sample that can come in handy for you to help you write the Republic Day Speech.
Sample Republic Day Speech for Kids
Good morning/ Good Evening, everyone!
I feel elated to welcome the Honourable Chief Guest, the Principal, our Beloved Teachers and my fellow students on this auspicious occasion, and thank the teachers for granting me this opportunity to speak. Today, we are gathered here to commemorate one of the most important days in the history of our great nation - The Republic Day.
India first celebrated the Republic Day on 26th of January, 1950, when the constitution written by Dr B. R. Ambedkar came into official use. The first president of our country, Dr Rajendra Prasad, unfurled the tricolour amidst thousands of jubilant spectators, at the Rajpath in New Delhi.
Since then, India has been celebrating Republic Day with much aplomb on the Rajpath, and the acting President of the country unfurls the flag. After the flag hoisting ceremony and the national anthem, the Grand Republic Day Parade adorns Rajpath with colourful floats belonging to the rich cultural heritage of all the Indian states.
However, the main attraction is the courageous and competent display of Indian Military, which truly makes my heart swell with pride!
One event that always heavies my heart, while also filling it with admiration and inspiration, is the medal ceremony. Bravery medals such as the Param Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra and the Maha Vir Chakra are awarded to valiant soldiers who risk their lives for our safety.
The bravery of children is also noted and encouraged, with National Bravery Awards for the highest degree of courage and selfless sacrifice.
On this day, let us also take a moment to acknowledge the sacrifices and suffering of our freedom fighters, due to whom, we are here today. I salute those brave-hearts!
Finally, I would once again like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak about my beloved country and also the audience for patiently listening to me.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
We hope these tips help you prepare a perfect speech for your little one and also help him deliver it confidently. A well-written speech, when delivered appropriately, can instil a sense of patriotism and inspire the listeners too. And, when you have put your heart in helping your kid prepare for the speech, your child is bound to shine, and you are bound to brim with pride as the audience appreciate the speech with loud applause.
Also Read:
Teach Your Kids About Republic Day
Republic Day – Easy Homemade Sweet Dishes
Republic Day Pasta Bracelet Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Running during Pregnancy - Is It Harmful?
Exercising is very important for staying healthy and fit. However, running while pregnant is an exercise that demands caution. If you are pregnant, you need to know if it is safe to go jogging or running, and adhering to certain safety measures while running is always good.
Is Running Or Jogging Safe During Pregnancy?
Running and jogging are recommended during pregnancy but only if you are experienced. If you are already in the habit of running, take the required precautions, and have no complications in pregnancy, this can be a great exercise for you. It is, however, still recommended to consult your doctor before you resume running.
But if you have not run before and would like to start running during pregnancy, then that might be a tricky situation. Consult your doctor before you start anything at all. During pregnancy, a first-time runner may experience some discomfort that must not be ignored. If you are not an experienced runner, your doctor too may advise you against it as it gets difficult on the knees and the pelvic floor.
Can you have a miscarriage from running? Yes. A research study published in ‘New Scientist’ confirms that women who exercise or run for long periods in a day, without observing the necessary precautions, may experience a miscarriage. This is because running jostles the uterus thus increasing the risk of miscarriage.
How can I run safely while I am pregnant? The rules for running before or after pregnancy remain almost the same:
When running, you must warm up and cool down properly.
You must try to stay within your physical limits and not push too hard.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes made of breathable material.
Drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
What Is The Ideal Running Regime?
Your ideal running regime will vary at different stages of pregnancy. During the first trimester, since the weight gain is negligible, running with just basic precautions will not do your body any harm. Just stay away from overheating and stick to moderation. You must be more careful during the second and the third trimester. The stress on the knee and pelvic floor increases during this phase due to weight gain and other hormonal changes in the body.
First Trimester
While running in pregnancy 1st trimester, follow the tips listed below.
Stay hydrated and drink lots of water before and after the run. Any weight loss after the run is due to fluids and must be replaced by drinking lots of water.
Stay cool by wearing loose fitting clothes made of light material.
To minimize skin darkening, protect your skin from the sun by using a good sunscreen.
Wear good running shoes that give your feet good support and are cushioned well for shock absorption.
Wear a supportive bra that can expand as and when the size of your breasts grows.
The first trimester is when your body is getting prepared for the baby to grow inside. Hence, running or jogging during early pregnancy is recommended as long as you keep the precautions in mind.
Second Trimester
As your weight increases during the second trimester, it is important that you become careful about the change in balance while running in pregnancy 2nd trimester.
Take a safe path for running to avoid falls and injuries.
Do not run in secluded paths where medical assistance may be hindered, if required.
Support your belly with a belly support band.
Look out for any signs of discomfort and be ready to stop if necessary.
Third Trimester
When running in pregnancy 3rd trimester, please keep these precautions in mind:
It is advisable to be extremely sensitive to the needs of the body at this stage. Stress and fatigue can be harmful to both mother and baby.
If you feel too tired to continue running at this stage, ensure you listen to your body and take a break
It is recommended that you go walking instead of running during this phase of pregnancy.
What Are The Benefits Of Running When Pregnant?
Running is a good exercise for working up the heart and body. It gives you a physical and mental boost. Running or jogging can be a great way to stay fit if done in moderation and with a certain amount of precaution. Running or jogging also prevents gestational diabetes, alleviates back pain and postural pain caused by pregnancy, and, as a result, helps you sleep better.
Watch Out For These Warning Signs While Running in Pregnancy
It is important not to exhaust yourself during pregnancy to the extent of breathlessness. If you get breathless, you will end up using all the oxygen in your body and as a result, your baby will be deprived of oxygen. There are also some other warning signs that you must watch out for if you are running during pregnancy. Relax and take a break from running if you observe any of these signs:
Pain in the joints or ligaments during or after running
A feeling of exhaustion taking over after the run.
Muscles beginning to feel sore, weak, and shaky.
If your resting heart beat (ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute in adults) goes up by 10 beats from normal
Feeling of dizziness.
Experiencing chest pain, contractions, or vaginal bleeding
FAQs
1. When to stop running during pregnancy?
You should stop running during pregnancy whenever you think that your body has stopped benefitting from the run. If you start feeling exhausted and experience breathlessness, it is time for you to stop running and take a break.
2. Can baby jiggle up and down while running?
Your baby is well encased in amniotic fluid that does not let the baby jiggle as you go about your daily activities, including running.
3. Should I maintain certain heart rate range?
No. As per recent research, pregnant women should only do workouts or running to the point that they don’t feel exhausted, not to achieve a target heart rate range.
4. Is there any need to wear support belt?
It differs from person to person. If you think that your growing belly needs extra support, then a support belt is recommended. Try one and see if it works for you.
5. Will I need any special gear, clothing or shoes while running?
You don’t necessarily need to change your shoes if they are comfortable and don’t hurt. It also depends on how much weight you have gained. If your shoes can balance your weight, then there is no need to change your running shoes. But if it is otherwise, then you may have to buy yourself a new pair.
Running clothes, on the other hand, must be lighter even during cold weather to avoid overheating. A flip-belt around the waist to carry water is fine during the first trimester, but after that it gets uncomfortable.
A sports bra is highly recommended for all who wish to run during pregnancy. It will continue to expand with the increasing size of your breasts.
6. Can baby kick and move while running?
It depends from person to person and from baby to baby. In some cases, the baby does occasionally kick and move while the mom-to-be is running, while sometimes they don’t.
7. Can running make labour and delivery easy?
There is no confirmation on this. As per studies, the only conclusive finding is that if you stay fit and healthy throughout the pregnancy, then it will be beneficial in recovering from child birth.
Conclusion
You can give in to your love of running even while you are pregnant, keeping in mind that you must listen to your body and stop when it becomes uncomfortable. Keeping these few simple tips in mind is sure to make your pregnancy a healthy and happy one.
Also Read: Walking during Pregnancy Read more
Suggested for you
Shapes and Pre-Writing – Understanding the Link For Your Preschooler
Children can start practicing writing skills from a young age. Two- and three-year-old kids are big enough to hold crayons/pencils and learn to draw shapes and lines. It's time to kick-start different activities to develop pre-writing skills and help your child learn.
It’s a sight of joy for parents to watch their young kids holding a pencil, scribbling on a notebook, and drawing mumma and papa on the pages. While preschoolers can learn to hold pencils at a young age, it’s essential for parents to plan creative activities to help them build a strong foundation for writing. This includes defining the fine motor skills of writing like using effective hand positions to write, using a pencil in the right manner, making the necessary hand movements, as well as smoothening the progress of making shapes, letters, lines and patterns.
Developing Pre-writing Skills for 3-year-olds
1. Teaching Proper Positioning of The Wrist
Strength in the hands is important for grasping pencils/crayons/pens, and for the proper positioning of the wrists. It gradually leads to writing readiness for preschoolers. Have your kid write on paper that’s taped to a wall. While she stands and writes, she’ll unconsciously be working on strengthening her arms. Another option is to have her colour her favourite cartoon character while lying on her belly.
2. Getting a Grip on Writing Tools
Coloring is a favourite activity among different writing games for preschoolers. You can easily replace crayons with pencils once your child starts learning to write. In the meantime, use crayons and show her how to hold them properly. It can be a bit challenging but with time and effort, she’ll learn to perfect her grip and hold it correctly.
3. Scribbling
Scribbling is not a waste of time. It can serve as practice to mastering how to hold writing tools. Have your child scribble on sheets of paper, on a slate or on a small blackboard. Encourage her to scribble vertical and horizontal strokes, create circles, squares and other shapes. Scribbling in various directions improves the movement of the wrist and is one of the best pre-writing activities for preschool children. Confining her to colour within the borders of a picture should be left at bay for a while, until she’s comfortable using a pencil/crayon.
4. Introducing Activities beyond Pencils and Crayons
Learning to grip writing tools is not the only skill that kids should learn. Give them an opportunity to explore with paint brushes, fingers, q-tips, etc. Using different size brushes will allow them to learn to hold objects with confidence.
5. Encouraging Play Dough Activities
Let your child experiment with play dough to make different shapes like balls, snakes, stars and other fun designs. Such pre-writing activities for kids help build hand strength. They also act as outlets for imagination and creativity.
Kids love to play with their parents and also learn from them by mimicking their actions. Show them how things are done and participate in activities. They’ll learn faster and more effectively. Read more
Suggested for you
Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
12 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
12 hours ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Ashima Malhotra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
11 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Ashima Malhotra
Mom of a 10 m old boy
10 hours ago
A. avoid it
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
10 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
4 hours ago
Q. I am 7 month pregnant with second baby I have severe abscess pain in armpit and buttocks pls tell me remedy for this ...Dr recommend antibiotics and ultracet pain tablet I have taken some doses of it but worried about the foetal development..does it hurt my baby
Read moreDr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
continue antibiotics regularly
Check out this new Memory
Ankita TOSHNIWAL
Mom of a 5 m old boy
New Memory
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Lalita Saini
Mom of a 4 m old boy
New Memory
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Divya B M
Guardian of a 6 yr 2 m old girl
2 mins ago
#thephoto
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
BIRJU KUMAR
Guardian of a 3 yr 6 m old girl
3 mins ago
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive