Hello all. Here’s my 19 and 20 weeks pregnant update. And this is an exciting pregnancy update as I found out the gender.
Updated April 2026 – This pregnancy diary was written in 2020 during COVID-19. I attended my 20-week anatomy scan alone and wore a mask throughout the appointment – a surreal experience that many parents from that time will remember. Despite the unusual circumstances, finding out we were having a boy was incredibly special.
Definite Baby Movements at 19 Weeks
So, week 19. I’m sure I’m feeling movements. Around the 19-week mark (maybe a few days earlier), I was sitting at the dining room table, and I felt two thuds in the centre of my lower belly (again, where my knicker line is/hip level). I say thud, it was more like someone was flicking me from the inside. It was more intense than the ‘bubbles’, though. I’ve started to feel it more and more often. It seems to be more frequent each week, and it’s so reassuring.
5 weeks / 12 weeks / 20 weeks
The 20-Week Anatomy Scan
I had my 20-week scan, it wasn’t until 4 pm in the afternoon, and just after I ate and I was playing on my piano, I felt loads of kicks. It makes me really excited and confident about the scan. At the 12-week scan, I was worried that the heart wouldn’t have been beating or something. If it wasn’t for the 8-week scan I had, I probably would have doubted there was a baby at all. Although I knew something could still be wrong and show up at the anatomy scan, I felt better knowing my baby was alive and kicking in there!
I had to wear a mask to the hospital, which was awful. It was making me so hot and dizzy. I’d rather just not go out than wear a mask, so that is my plan.
At the 20-week scan, I was in a room where there was an ultrasound machine next to me for the sonographer to use, with a screen, and there was also a screen above the bed so I could see everything. Much better than the 12-week scan, when you could only see when they turned the machine to you.
Finding Out We’re Having a Boy
She asked if I wanted to know anything, and I said I wanted to know the gender. She started, and I could see the baby right away and the heartbeat. She was looking at the heart to make sure it was okay, but the baby was moving around too much, so she couldn’t check the blood flow. She said we would come back to it. She then showed me the bladder and kidneys and explained they were black because they had water in them, which is good. She measured the belly and legs. Then, all of a sudden, she was between the legs, and I could see the gender. Absolutely no doubt. It’s a boy! I had a wave of overwhelm hit me and almost cried, but I managed to keep it together. I hate that my partner wasn’t there to see it with me, but it’s probably for the best, as I would have cried for sure if he were.
She checked his head, brain, nose and made sure the lips were okay. Finally, she was able to get a shot of the heart she needed to give my baby boy the all-clear. He was moving around so much!
Post-Scan Midwife Appointment
After the scan, I had to stick around and speak to a midwife as I didn’t have a 16-week appointment. She went through all the blood tests with me, and my iron is a tiny bit low, so I need to get some iron pills from the GP. I also need to get a whooping cough vaccine and take some vitamin D. She was surprised I wasn’t taking it already. How am I meant to know? Have I not had any midwife appointments apart from my booking over the phone? She seemed a bit judgmental with me about it, which is frustrating when they’ve already messed many things up for me, like forgetting tests or not telling me results on time! I’ve been patient with them, realising that everything is strange right now during coronavirus.
Anyway, after that, I was able to go home and tell my fiancé the gender of our baby!
We think we have a name, but I’m not going to tell anyone it as this still may change!
Celebrating with Family
The day after my scan, I saw my parents for the first time since I found out I was pregnant. They came down for my birthday. It was nice, we had Chinese food and a few drinks (alcohol-free for me), and I wore one of my maternity dresses.
It’s all starting to feel real now that we know the gender and the kicks are getting stronger!
I’ve not been feeling as sick either and have been sticking to my exercise program.
20-Week Scan FAQs
What happens at the 20-week anatomy scan?
The 20-week scan (also called the anomaly scan) checks your baby’s development in detail. The sonographer examines the brain, heart, kidneys, bladder, limbs, and facial features to ensure everything is developing normally. They’ll also measure your baby’s growth and check the placenta position. This is when many parents choose to find out the gender.
Can my partner attend the 20-week scan?
Under normal circumstances, yes. During COVID-19 in 2020, partners were not allowed at hospital appointments. Check your hospital’s current policies, as these vary by location and circumstances.
How accurate is gender determination at 20 weeks?
Gender determination at the 20-week scan is very accurate when the baby is in a good position – typically 95-99% accurate. The sonographer can usually see the genital area clearly at this stage. If the baby isn’t positioned well, they may not be able to tell you.
What should I do if my iron levels are low?
Low iron (anaemia) is common in pregnancy as your blood volume increases. Your GP will prescribe iron supplements if needed. You can also increase iron-rich foods like red meat, beans, lentils, fortified cereals, and dark leafy greens. Take supplements with vitamin C to improve absorption.
When should I get the whooping cough vaccine?
The whooping cough vaccine is recommended between 16-32 weeks of pregnancy, ideally around 20 weeks. It protects your baby from birth until they’re old enough for their own vaccinations. Book it through your GP surgery.
All my pregnancy diary blog posts:
Pregnancy Diary – 6 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary – 7 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary – 8 Weeks Pregnant
Pregnancy Diary – 9 Weeks Pregnant
Pregnancy Diary – 10 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary – 11 & 12 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 13 & 14 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 15 & 16 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 17 & 18 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 19 & 20 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 21 & 22 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 23 & 24 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 25 & 26 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 27 & 28 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 29 & 30 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 31 & 32 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 33 & 34 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 35 & 36 weeks pregnant
Pregnancy Diary: 37 & 38 weeks pregnant
Aww! What an exciting time for you. Feeling the baby moving so much and finding out you’re having a boy. How lovely.
Just ignore the judgemental midwife. Does she not realise we’re not living in normal times. Eesh!
With my eldest I chose a name when I found out her sex and stuck with it until they asked what she was going to be called when she was born and I went with something completely different. lol