You're gonna hear from me where I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, but I'm gonna be cheering you on along the way. You can follow along each Wednesday because pregnancy deserves more than outdated advice and Google anxiety.

So today we're talking about weeks 20 to 22. Where you are, what's happening with your baby, what's happening with your body, and what no one really talks about when you hit this milestone. So let's unpack it. Your baby is about the size of a banana, little baby banana, about 10 and a half inches long and close to a pound.

Your baby's little hair is growing on their scalp, their eyebrows and their lashes and their heartbeat is nice and strong and easy to hear. On a Doppler, you may even hear the whoosh of movements. Their nerve connections are forming in the brain, and that is helping your baby actually control their limbs a little bit, which is pretty cool.

Their skin is developing what is called Vernix cosa, which is a creamy, protective white codeine that you will most likely see at birth. And I'm gonna do a full episode on the birth experience because this stuff is like.

Here's what can happen. You can literally wake up. And have a bigger belly, like feel bigger overnight. Hello belly pop. You might be starting to have some round ligament pains and this is from your uterus stretching, and we've got some good information in the course. If you're in the courses, we also have some information on the blog and maybe I need to do a pregnancy aches and pains episode.

That would be good. You might start noticing some painless tightening of your belly, which are Braxton Hicks. You should check out episode one oh five on the birth experience. 'cause I talk about how to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real labor. And it's good to kind of know this ahead of time.

Okay. You might also be dealing with constipation, joy, joy, joy, back pain, and even varicose veins for constipation. Girl, just increase those fluids. I know I say this every week, but girl, increase the fluids. You need to be drinking lots and lots of water. I cannot stress this enough. How many times I have moms.

Come into triage that we end up having to do IV fluids. I'll say, Hey, what have you had to drink today? It's like two o'clock and all they've had is a sip of Sprite, so please, please hydrate yourself because it can cause so many problems. During pregnancy, you might be feeling some back pain. A lot of times that's due to posture.

It also could be due that you're not getting enough exercises or stretching. So. Make sure you're doing that as well. I'm gonna link to Kim Perry Fit. She is fantastic. I know a couple different people online, so if you need some suggestions, let me know, but we'll put a link in the show notes for Kim Perry Fit so that you can check out her fitness program.

Seeing a therapist. We recommend better help around here, but you can see a therapist now, especially if you already struggle with anxiety or depression. Girl, this is a hard time in life and I don't know why I'm saying girls so much so y'all mama. What should I say? What should I say, mama? I guess I'll say, mama, mama.

I am so obsessed with EFT tapping. It has changed me so much. I dealt with a really difficult experience. My family went through hell for a couple years and I. My students, my members know all about like some of the different aspects of it, but it was really hard and I had a really hard time you guys showing up, teaching, being there for my family and EFT tapping has helped me so much.

And oh, you're probably so happy comments, and you might not be feeling so happy. So I just wanna acknowledge that however you're feeling is okay. It is okay. During this time of pregnancy, you're starting to feel really pregnant and look really pregnant, but just because you're halfway doesn't mean that halfway is easy, if that makes sense.

So again, you're allowed to feel it all. A lot of women get hit with a wave of guilt right now because the halfway point is supposed to feel exciting. But what if you don't feel excited? What if you feel disconnected or worried? Or anxious about becoming a mom or resentful towards your partner, or tired of being touched or overwhelmed by the mental load and all that you have to get done.

Or where do I need space? And what would feel good to me today? You're not failing. If you feel overwhelmed, you're not failing. If you're not glowing and happy, you're growing an actual human being, let's stop and say that you're growing a human being and you are growing too. This is also the time of pregnancy where relationship dynamics might shift a bit because your pregnancy is visible now and expectations get louder, and you might be wondering like, why do I have to do all the planning?

And you may not feel like the same couple. Your body may not feel like your own and maybe you don't wanna be touched. Or maybe you used to be really sexual and now you're like, get the hell away from me. Or on the opposite, you might actually feel more sexual, but it's okay. Like whatever it is, like grieve what you feel is gone or lost or different and talk it out.

And maybe even, you know, tell your partner like, let's check in weekly and here's how I'm feeling lately. Can I share with you? Like, you know, get a little aggressive with it. Like try to talk it out and maybe even talk to your partner and say, what does support look like for both of us?

So. We would love to have you join us. You are not meant to do this alone. Okay, so you've likely already had your anatomy scan recently, or it might be coming up like right now, and that's a big deal. If you need to hear more information about it, refer back to episode eight. I believe of pregnancy Impact the last episode.

I've been there and it can be. It. It can feel scary to just hear something different than what you were expected. Remember, you can always ask for second opinions. You can ask for clear explanations. You can pause and gather information before deciding on any interventions.

You don't have to know all the answers. You just need to know that your voice is the most powerful voice in this experience. So I have a five minute power plan for you. For weekly action steps, I want you to write down any questions about your anatomy, scan, the follow up, or the test results. I want you to check in with your partner.

We're shaking hands like deal. Okay? Check in with your partner. Or your support system about how you're feeling emotionally because it is important. Start a list of things to ask at your next appointment. Even the small stuff, 'cause girl pregnancy, brain, you're gonna forget.

Remember, I hope this episode helped you. You're not just growing a baby. You're building your mama voice. Your mama boundaries. Your mama strength. And that is powerful and that's what the halfway point is really about. If you're feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or flat out exhausted, you are not broken.

You're building a human and you are building a new you. You've got this and I've got you. You are so amazing. I hope you enjoyed this episode and this series. Be sure to. Subscribe to the Birth Experience with Labor Nurse Mama, and you'll get all the new episodes on Wednesdays and Fridays. You are amazing.