5 months pregnant: Development and what to expect

By your 5th month of pregnancy, you’ll officially reach the halfway mark. Twenty weeks may feel like a real milestone. It’s fairly common to start feeling your baby move around this time, and your baby bump might start to show more too. It’s a time of real change. 

You’ll have your anatomy scan around 20 weeks pregnant. This is a chance for your doctor to do a more thorough check on how your baby is developing. While all of this can be exciting, it’s also totally typical to feel overwhelmed or worried about the changes. Pregnancy can be filled with mixed feelings. Try to be gentle with yourself, and remember, your doctor is always there to answer your questions. 

Your baby is also changing a lot too. You might be curious about what’s going on inside your 5-month-pregnant belly. To find out more about this month’s fetal development and pregnancy symptoms, we chat with Flo expert Dr. Renita White, obstetrician and gynecologist, Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia, US. 

And don’t forget, you can learn more about how your pregnancy is developing week by week by downloading a pregnancy-tracking app like Flo. 

Key takeaways

• If you haven’t already felt baby movements, this month you’ll likely feel those first flutters. This happens at different times for everyone, so if you haven’t felt movement yet, try not to worry. You can always speak to your doctor if you’re concerned. 
• At 5 months pregnant, your baby is learning how to suck, gaining a layer of soft, fuzzy hair, and developing a pattern of sleeping and waking. 
• Around 18 to 20 weeks pregnant, you’ll have your prenatal anatomy scan where you’ll get to see your baby and, if you’d like, find out their sex.

Fetal development between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy

“During the 5th month of pregnancy, hair is beginning to develop all over the baby’s body,” says Dr. White. “In addition to the hair on the head, a thin type of hair called lanugo will cover the shoulders and back.” 

She continues, “By this stage of pregnancy, all your baby’s organs are developed and are big enough to be seen on ultrasound.”

That’s why you’ll have your anatomy scan this month, usually at around 18 to 20 weeks. “This ultrasound allows your doctor to evaluate all the growing organs of the baby,” says Dr. White. They’ll look for congenital conditions (like a cleft palate) and conditions related to your baby’s brain, heart, bones, or kidneys. This can sound scary, but in most cases, the results come back totally normal. If your doctor wants to do further tests, it’s only to help you decide the best next step. 

“There can be lots of excitement around seeing how your baby has developed,” says Dr. White “However, there can also be nervousness about the possibility of finding something that is wrong. To combat this range of emotions, try to focus on the positive of seeing your baby.”

Usually, your doctor will be able to tell you the sex of your baby from this scan — if you’d like to find out, of course. Focusing on this exciting news can be another way to get through any nerves. 

Now, let’s look at what’s going on inside your 5-month-pregnant belly in more detail. 

Week 18

When you’re 18 weeks pregnant, your baby is covered in lanugo. The fuzz-like hair helps to keep them warm and provides another layer of protection. Some babies (especially those born prematurely) will still have this hair when they are born, which can be quite a surprise for new parents. It will typically wear off within several weeks, though. 

This week, your baby’s digestive system will start working. This means they’re closer to being able to pass their first poop, which should happen 24 to 48 hours after birth. 

Your baby’s ears are also beginning to stand out on the sides of their head this week. They will be able to hear by now, and loud noises may wake them up when they are asleep.

Week 19

This week, your baby gains a greasy, cheese-like coating, called vernix caseosa. This substance helps to protect your baby’s skin from amniotic fluid. The protective layer also helps your baby regulate their temperature and defend against harmful microbes. It becomes useful again during birth, when it can help your baby pass through the birth canal.

Your baby will also start growing their adult teeth when you’re 19 weeks pregnant, which will line up behind their first set of baby teeth. Their smiles will be all gums for quite some time, though. Your baby’s first teeth will start coming in when they’re between 6 and 12 months old and will be replaced by their adult teeth when they’re around 6 years old. 

Week 20

At 20 weeks pregnant, you’re exactly halfway through your pregnancy. By now, your baby has developed from a single cell into a small human the size of a grapefruit.

Inside your belly, your baby is producing two new antibodies. Called immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M, these antibodies will help your baby fight viruses and bacteria, and defend against germs. 

Week 21

This week your baby may gain the skills needed to suck their thumb with the development of their sucking reflex. They’re also gaining the ability to grasp when you’re 21 weeks pregnant and may start getting bouts of hiccups. At some point in your pregnancy, you may be able to feel their hiccups as little rhythmic pulses. 

As of this week, your baby officially weighs more than the placenta at around 350 g (0.7 lb). They are now the size of a banana. They don’t have much fat at the moment but will continue to gain weight over the coming weeks and months. 

Week 22

When you’re 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is developing a pattern of sleeping and waking. Their pattern may not match up with yours. So if you’ve noticed that your baby likes to party the moment you get into bed, you’re not alone. Hopefully, our tips on tackling pregnancy insomnia can help. 

Your baby is also producing fat this week, which helps to keep them warm as they continue to grow. 

Symptoms you might experience when 5 months pregnant

The 5th month of pregnancy often comes with a pregnancy symptom that many new parents wait for. “For many people, it is possible to feel the baby’s movement around this time,” says Dr. White. “It may start by feeling like gas or flutters. Eventually, you will feel distinct fetal movements that are recognizable as baby kicks. Most people will be feeling the baby more by 22 weeks.” 

As well as feeling your baby move, also known as quickening, this month you may notice a more obvious baby bump. “Most people will be showing around 5 months of pregnancy,” says Dr. White. “At this stage, the top of the uterus can be felt right at the belly button.” 

It can be exciting to see your belly growing, but it’s important not to worry about what it looks like. “The size of your belly doesn’t mean anything in terms of pregnancy health,” says Dr. White. “It can change depending on a person’s body shape. For example, a longer or shorter torso can change the look of a pregnant belly. Also, the direction in which the uterus lies can also play a role in the look of the abdomen.”

It can be hard not to compare your belly to others’, especially as it’s common for well-meaning friends and family to comment on your bump. But that kind of comparison can just leave you feeling worried and self-conscious. Try to remember that your pregnancy belly is totally unique to you. 

“It’s important not to compare because it truly does depend on your body shape,” says Dr. White. “Just like in a situation where the same pair of jeans fits differently on two different women, it’s common that two women at the same stage of pregnancy may be showing differently.” 

Meanwhile, you’ll hopefully continue to feel better as you move through the 2nd trimester. “This month, any 1st-trimester symptoms will continue to improve, such as pregnancy sickness and fatigue,” says Dr. White. “However, other symptoms may occur. This includes round ligament pain, muscle cramps, and heartburn.”

The following 2nd-trimester symptoms are common around now:

Round ligament pain

You may feel this type of pain in the lower pelvis on either or both sides. 

Heartburn

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, causing stomach acid to leak through and result in heartburn during pregnancy. 

Leg cramps

These can often strike at night as your pregnancy progresses.

Constipation

The increase in hormones can slow down your digestive system and lead to constipation. 

Bleeding gums and/or nosebleeds

These are due to the increase in hormones. 

Breast changes

Breast changes during pregnancy can mean your areolas (the skin around your nipple) become darker and your breasts become bigger. 

Dizziness

Pregnancy causes changes in your circulation, which can leave you feeling dizzy or faint.

Skin changes

These might include a dark line down the middle of your belly (called a linea nigra). 

Hemorrhoids

These are caused by increased pressure on the veins in your anus, increased blood volume, and greater chances of constipation. 

Varicose veins

These are caused by increased hormones and the pressure of the baby on your blood vessels. 

Moving into the second half of your pregnancy

As you pass the halfway mark, you’re hopefully feeling a bit more like your usual self. If you’re feeling up to it, it can be a good idea to make the most of the 2nd-trimester energy boost. “It is important to be active if you can,” says Dr. White. “During the 1st trimester and early 2nd trimester, it’s common to have very low energy levels. This tends to improve by this stage of pregnancy. So, it’s useful to get some kind of exercise in. If you don’t typically exercise, it doesn’t have to be something intense. This could be walking outside or doing yoga. The most important thing is to listen to your body.”

But while the 5th month of pregnancy can be easier for many people, remember that everyone experiences pregnancy differently. So if you’re feeling less than glowing, make sure you get as much rest and self-care as you can. The Flo app has lots of ideas and advice on how to look after yourself during your pregnancy week by week. And if you have any concerns about your pregnancy, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor.