20 Weeks Pregnant

In celebration of your halfway mark, let’s talk about your big, beautiful belly this week.
By now, you might have an outie instead of an innie (I'm talking belly buttons here). You might also notice a faint dark line running down your belly. This is called the linea nigra (translated as literally "black line"), and can be caused by the hormonal changes in pregnancy. It is very normal, and usually fades completely postpartum.
Speaking of bellies, have you noticed any cramping, tightening, or even muscle pain? Again, completely normal. These are called Braxton Hicks, and they are a good thing. Your uterus is essentially "training" for the big labor day event. I had them much more often during my second pregnancy, and that birth went much faster.
Weird fact: Some first-time mamas won't feel any Braxton Hicks, although they can be picked up on a monitor.
Braxton Hicks usually come on once (or a few) times per day, and don't last for long periods of time. They can intensify if you're dehydrated or overly active throughout the day, so drink some water and kick your heels up if they get too uncomfortable.
As always, if you notice that cramping becomes strangely pronounced or intense, give your midwife or doctor a call.