Pregnancy Month 5 (Weeks 17–20) — Development, Symptoms & Tips

Baby movements first felt (quickening) around weeks 18-20. The 20-week anatomy scan is the highlight of month 5. Halfway milestone reached.

PREGNANCY MONTH 5 · WEEKS 17–20 · 2nd TRIMESTER

BABY AT START OF MONTH

🍐

pear

MONTH

5

of 9 · Weeks 17–20

Wk 1740–50% completeWk 20

BABY AT END OF MONTH

🍌

banana

16.0cm · 300g

WEEK-BY-WEEK DEVELOPMENT — MONTH 5 (WK 17–20)

17

Week 17: Fat stores developing. Baby can hear sounds outside the womb.

18

Week 18: Quickening (first movements) felt. 20-week scan approaching.

19

Week 19: Vernix caseosa coating skin. Brain designating sensory areas.

20

Week 20: Halfway point! Anatomy scan. Baby swallowing amniotic fluid.

🌸 HOW YOU MAY FEEL

Quickening — first baby movements felt (like flutters or bubbles). Halfway milestone at week 20. Anatomy scan scheduled.

COMMON SYMPTOMS — MONTH 5

Baby movements (quickening)Back pain beginningLeg crampsSkin changesHeartburnStuffy nose

APPOINTMENTS & TESTS — MONTH 5

📋

20-week anatomy scan (detailed fetal anomaly scan)

📋

20-week antenatal check

💡 MONTH 5 TIP

The 20-week anatomy scan checks organ development, position of placenta, and amniotic fluid levels. Gender can usually be confirmed at this scan.

← Month 4

Month 6 →

ALL 9 MONTHS

Month 1Month 2Month 3Month 4Month 6Month 7Month 8Month 9

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens in month 5?

Month 5 (weeks 17-20) — quickening and halfway point: Week 17: Baby can hear sounds outside the womb. Week 18: Quickening — first movements felt (like flutters). Week 19: Vernix caseosa coating skin. Sensory brain areas forming. Week 20: Halfway! Anatomy scan. Baby swallowing amniotic fluid. Baby size at end of month 5: banana (~16cm, ~300g) Key milestone: 20-week anatomy scan and first baby movements felt.

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Pregnancy month 5 · Weeks 17–20 · 2nd trimester · Sources: ACOG, NHS, WHO