21 weeks pregnant - what to expect.
This week, your baby's growing, your skin is changing and those movements in your womb
are intensifying.
Here's what your baby and your body is doing at 21 weeks.
How big is my baby at 21 weeks pregnant?
Leaving the fruit analogies behind in favour of vegetable ones, your baby is now the size
of a large carrot.
She's growing fast, now measuring 10 and a half inches long and weighing between 11
and 12 and a half ounces.
What's my baby doing at 21 weeks?
You might have felt more activity in your womb than usual, and that's because the
initial fluttering movements you might have experienced will now start to feel like proper
kicks, nudges, twists and turns.
This is because the baby's arms and legs will now be in proportion, the neurons between
the brain and muscles are connected, and the cartilage in your baby's body will be turning
to bone, all of which gives your baby more control over the movement of her limbs.
But it's not all activity in there, despite the movement in your belly, your baby is sleeping
as much as a newborn.
Your baby's taste buds will also be developing.
She'll be swallowing a little amniotic fluid every day for nutrition and hydration, and
also to practise swallowing and digesting once she's born - and whatever you've
eaten will influence the taste of the amniotic fluid.
Some research even suggests that the food you eat now could influence your baby's
tastes once she's born!
In other fun news, your baby's eyelids and eyebrows are now present.
What is my body doing at 21 weeks?
Pregnancy certainly isn't all glamour, so you may have noticed stretch marks appearing
on your body, whether on your stomach, bottom, legs, thighs or hips.
The reason this is happening now is because your body is expanding and the supporting
tissue under your skin gets torn as your skin stretches.
Not everyone gets them, but if your mum had stretch marks, chances are that you will too.
21 weeks pregnant symptoms.
Braxton Hicks contractions.
Your uterus might occasionally feel tight as it practices for labor.
This is totally normal as long as the contractions go away when you switch positions.
Let your doctor know about any pain or contractions that don't stop.
Swollen feet.
This week, you may also find that your feet are swelling, but don't worry - your body
has about 50% more blood and fluid than it did before you fell pregnant, so there is
a reason for this.
Itchy skin.
As the skin on your stomach stretches, it becomes thinner and dries out, which can lead
to an itchy, dry feeling.
Use a bump oil to moisturise, soothe and keep skin soft and supple.
Oily skin.
While some people experience dry skin, others find they now have to deal with acne thanks
to increased oil production.
Try a gentle soap or cleanser, and stick to oil-free make-up and products to avoid exacerbating
the acne.
Varicose veins.
With each week of pregnancy, there's more and more pressure on the veins in your legs
- and increasing progesterone levels, which relax the walls of the veins, only make it
worse.
To try to minimise these veins, try to exercise regularly, wear maternity support hose and
to prop up your legs whenever you get a chance.
Bloating and gas.
Remember when we said pregnancy wasn't all glamorous?
The increased pressure your uterus is putting on your rectum means you might be a bit gassier
than usual.
Drink lots of water and eat foods rich in fibre to avoid
constipation, which can worsen the problem.
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