The 20 week milestone is very important for the majority of expecting couples. Usually, you will have your first, and maybe only, ultrasound during your 20th week. It is an exciting time for parents, because it is the first time you will see your baby. By now, all of the baby’s extremities are formed, and you will be able to find out the gender of your unborn child. Watching the baby you are carrying squirm on a computer screen is one of the most beautiful experiences of pregnancy.

 
Although the 20th week is a huge milestone for pregnant women, it can also be a very difficult time for some women. One thing that is not often discussed in pregnancy is gender disappointment. Gender disappointment is a condition in which women can become severely depressed if they find they are carrying a boy when they really wanted a baby girl (or vice-versa). Some people will try to tell you it’s okay, and that you should be thankful you are having a healthy baby, but that is little help to a depressed mother.
 
Depression in pregnancy is a serious medical condition, and it can put both mother and child at risk. Gender disappointment can lead to medical depression very quickly. If you are having a difficult time coping with the gender of your child, it has little to do with your emotions and more to do with your hormones. When, or if, you find yourself having problems shaking depression, it is very important to tell your doctor immediately. Women who already suffer from chronic depression, bi-polar disorder, or who have suffered post partum depression in past pregnancies are more likely to experience depression during their pregnancy.
 
One of the best parts about being 20 weeks pregnant is that you might have been waiting months to start buying clothes and supplies for the baby. Once you know the gender of your child, it’s time to shop! And if you are waiting to be surprised by the gender, then that is okay, too. There are many women who wait to find out the sex of their baby, and therefore there are a ton of unisex options for baby clothes. Either way, 20 weeks is a great time to start shopping for the baby. Before you know it, shopping anywhere will be a chore.
20 weeks also symbolizes a sort of halfway point in your pregnancy. You only have 18-20 weeks, on average, left before a newborn makes things a little more difficult, so you want to start working on creating a nursery if you haven’t already. A good rule of thumb is that you want to have everything ready for baby at 30 weeks. Not only is it easier to get everything done earlier in pregnancy, but it also helps ensure that you are ready for surprises; like a premature birth.
 
Travis Newville
Breckenridge, Michigan