Week 21 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 21

• Baby is moving and grooving and performing flips; you most likely will feel their little kicks and punches. The early movement referred to as "quickening" is truly fascinating!

• Your anatomy scan might be happening this week! Your doctor and ultrasonic technician will take several measures to ensure everything is progressing as it should

• At this stage, you have most likely gained roughly 6 kg, give or take. Prioritise eating well-balanced meals and staying active over numbers.

• Practice contractions, or Braxton Hicks, might strike any day now. It will seem like a rapid tightening at this stage. It should end as soon as you move

• If you are in Week 21 of your pregnancy you are in the second trimester and in the fifth month

• 19 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 21

Here are some more amazing baby developments this week!

The bone marrow has now evolved and begins to produce red blood cells, a function formerly performed by the baby's liver and spleen. Haemoglobin (a protein found in red blood cells) transports oxygen throughout the baby's body via the placenta. When a baby's cells utilise oxygen, they produce carbon dioxide waste, which red blood cells bring back to the placenta and discard. Continue to maintain your baby's red blood cell supply by taking prenatal vitamins and consuming iron-rich foods like dark leafy greens, lentils, beans, peas, seafood, almonds, and red meat.

By 21 weeks of pregnancy, your baby's whole body is covered in a light covering of peach fuzz hair called lanugo. It started to form around a month ago and most likely serves the same function as a fur coat, keeping the baby's body temperature comfortable and constant. Interestingly, it also supports infant development by generating vibrations in response to the baby's movements.

Baby's hearing has improved to the point that they can hear everything happening within your body, including the whoosh of your heartbeat, the churning of your digestive system, and, most excitingly, your voice. Fresh out of the womb, newborns recognise their parents' voices as well as the music and tales you usually tell them. So go ahead and start chatting, singing, and reading to your baby today. Studies suggest that foetuses may respond to external stimuli, such as sounds played on the belly. However, the baby will not begin to hear what is happening outside the womb until the third trimester, around the 27th or 28th week.

You probably haven't thought about potential grandkids yet, but the reproductive system is also evolving. If it's a girl, her womb already has a lifetime supply of eggs, approximately six million! Having a boy? His testes are still in his abdomen, but they will descend as the scrotum develops.

At 21 weeks, foetal movement is visible, and the baby also has reflexes! If you gently put your hand on your tummy, you may feel a little pushback. At 21 weeks, the baby is practising coordinated movements, enjoying the ample space in your uterus and sleeping 12 to 14 hours each day. At 21 weeks, the baby is also practising swallowing amniotic fluid (don't worry, it's only practice—the baby receives all they need from the placenta), developing taste buds, and growing head and body hair.

• Baby Weight: Around 311 grammes
• Baby Length: 8.5 inches long
• Baby Size: Comparable to a long banana

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 21 of pregnancy, your body is rapidly changing. As your baby develops, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

• Braxton Hicks contractions may occur while your uterus tightens and loosens in preparation for labour
• Now your breasts are ready to feed. As a consequence, you may have leaking nipples
• Your hair and nails will definitely grow quicker. Enjoy your lovely locks!
• The additional weight you're carrying right now might create back aches and pains, so stay off your feet and raise your legs when you're hurting. Trying pregnancy-safe exercises may also assist with back discomfort
• To manage heartburn and indigestion effectively, avoid spicy, oily meals and other irritants. If the cause of your pain is unknown, maintaining a food diary may help you figure it out
• Your milk ducts will be fully developed by the end of this trimester, which may cause leakage from your breasts if an early birth occurs.

Body Changes This week

Some days may leave you feeling gorgeously curvy, while others will leave you feeling bloated and exhausted. Ride those waves; you're halfway there.

Your baby will likely be pushing and kicking, from mild hand pokes to vigorous kicks, all signalling that it is thriving inside your womb.

Your skin is stretched over your developing bump, becoming drier and more irritated by the day. Slather on a pregnancy-safe body oil or lotion to keep your skin hydrated and less irritated. Also, if you develop a rash, notify your doctor immediately, since it might be an indication of a pregnancy illness known as PUPPP.

21-week Ultrasound

If you have your mid-pregnancy ultrasound this week, you will be able to see that adorable foetus. This ultrasound will astonish you! Not only will you see a baby on screen, but you will also see amazing features like brain hemispheres and heart chambers.

Request many copies of the images since, if your pregnancy is straightforward, this may be your last medical ultrasound. Go show off those images of your cutie!

Your Baby Bump at Week 21

This week, you might find yourself admiring your baby bump in the mirror. By the time you reach 21 weeks pregnant, you may have gained up to 6 kg, or approximately 9 kg if you're carrying twins.

Your new curves could make you feel attractive and confident, after all, you're the centre of attention wherever you go! However, carrying additional weight may make you feel self-conscious. Remind yourself that you're supposed to be gaining weight, and try your best to love your curves. If you continue to feel conscious about your weight, tell your doctor.

If you're pregnant with twins, your tummy is becoming tight, itchy, and dry, and you may already have stretch marks. To relieve the itching, continue to massage that baby bump with lots of moisturiser. Heartburn is definitely a close personal friend at this time, so monitor what you eat to avoid exacerbating it. Try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. If it doesn't work, ask your doctor about a pregnancy-safe antacid.

Tips and Exercises for Week 21

Being 21 weeks pregnant is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. Here's some professional advice on how to adapt to this new stage while keeping yourself and your baby safe.

• Engage in prenatal exercises to alleviate discomfort
• What you consume while pregnant may give your baby a taste for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, since the flavours end up in the amniotic fluid they swallow, which can lead to a fondness for them after delivery
• According to recent research, women who ate properly throughout pregnancy, that is, ate a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and water, had a much lower chance of premature birth. Experimenting with healthy dishes might help you and your baby get more variety
• Wear the three-point seat belt with the lap belt below your tummy (not across it) and the shoulder strap between your breasts

Checklist for Week 21

• Monitor any changes in symptoms and discuss them with your healthcare provider
• Continue with prenatal appointments and planning
• Schedule a glucose challenge test
• Schedule your maternity picture session, if you wish to have one
• Register for a birthing class and other educational opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I worry about Braxton Hicks at 21 weeks?
   You shouldn't be concerned until the contractions continue for more than a few minutes, get stronger and closer together, or there is fluid or blood from the vagina. In these circumstances, contact your doctor. Braxton Hicks contractions help prepare your uterus for labour. Experiencing Braxton Hicks at 21 weeks is typical, but they usually do not occur repeatedly. They seldom last more than two minutes and are often triggered by sex and orgasm, a full bladder, dehydration, or a strong kick from the baby.
2. When is your baby able to sense touch?
   The baby's sense of touch is important to their initial contact with the outside world, and it develops early on. Babies may feel their lips and nose as early as 8 weeks of pregnancy. From then, the baby's sensation of touch extends to other body regions as they learn to swallow, kick, punch, and explore their little environment. For the majority of pregnancy, this is a joyous experience: research shows that newborns' neural systems are not mature enough to sense pain until at least week 24 or 25 of pregnancy.