Second Trimester - The 20 Week Anomaly Scan

 20 Week Scan – Halfway There

This week, something started to shift in a really magical way — the movements that once felt like faint pops and gentle pushes began to feel more like actual little kicks. They still weren’t strong enough to be felt from the outside just yet, probably because of my anterior placenta cushioning things a little. But I could definitely tell that our baby boy was getting stronger every single day.

One evening, Graham had his arm resting across my stomach, and just as baby boy wriggled, he looked up and said he could feel something too. It wasn’t a full-on kick, but it was enough to know he was there — active and growing. It’s these tiny shared moments that make everything start to feel even more real.

On Monday 14th July, I reached 20 weeks and 2 days pregnant with our baby boy — officially halfway. Half baked, as they say. It’s such a milestone, and it came around so quickly.

My scan was booked for the morning at our local hospital, just down the road, so I was able to pop out from work for an hour. Graham couldn’t make it this time, but since we’d had the consultant scan at Worcester the week before — and been reassured that structurally, our little man was in good shape — I told him not to worry. We just needed confirmation on one thing: his tiny feet.

I promised I’d call him the moment I came out of the appointment.

I sat in the waiting area feeling pretty calm. After the consultant had told us she couldn’t rule out club foot last week (only because she hadn’t managed to see both feet clearly), I’d quietly carried a small cloud of worry with me. But now, with everything else looking positive, I was holding onto hope.

I was called through to the same scan room we’d been in for our 12-week scan — the one just before the wedding back in May. It felt surreal to be back again, now visibly pregnant, time flying by.

I explained to the sonographer about last week’s scan and how important it was to get a good look at baby’s feet. She checked my notes and explained that since he was measured recently, they wouldn’t repeat that today — instead, they’d just be checking his anatomy and ticking things off.

And tick things off she did. Heart, brain, spine, kidneys, bladder, stomach — all there, all healthy. Then came the moment I’d been holding my breath for: the feet. Two perfect little feet, clear as anything on the screen. Not a single hint of club foot, left or right.

I instantly felt a wave of relief and happiness. One perfect little boy, growing exactly as he should.

There was good news all around — normal liquor volume, a healthy heartbeat, and no concerns flagged up. Because of Louis’s IUGR and low birth weight, they did say I’d probably be brought back for growth scans later on. They also checked the tiny blood vessels feeding the placenta — which was incredible in itself, hearing the beat of something so small. One side they got easily, but the other was being nudged repeatedly by a pair of little feet bouncing off my bladder! Still, the readings were good, and based on that, I may not need another NHS scan until 36 weeks.

I left with a fresh batch of scan photos, including one of his two perfect feet and another sweet side profile of his growing face. I called Graham the moment I stepped outside to share the news: he’s perfect. Everything looks beautiful.

And as for me? I’ve really popped this week. There’s no hiding this bump anymore! While waiting to be seen, a woman passing by smiled and told me how lovely and neat my bump looked — it was such a kind thing to hear.

We’re getting more and more organised by the day. Little man’s hospital bag is already mostly packed, just a few bits like nappies left to add. I’ve started gathering things for my own bag too, and ticking off the final bits on our baby checklist.

Everything is progressing beautifully. We’re halfway there.