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Your Pregnancy at Week 21

This week, your baby is as big as an endive.

Explore your pregnancy at Week 21

Week 17
Week 18
Week 19
Week 20
Week 21
Week 22
Week 23
Week 24
Week 25

19 Weeks to go!

The following information was reviewed by Dr. Chor, Michael

At A Glance

Week-21

If you eat well, your baby eats well

Baby swallows amniotic fluid while swimming in your belly and can taste it. If you eat well and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegtables, your baby will eat well too!

Stretch marks

Before using any stretch mark products, always consult your midwife or obstetrician first. Some products may contain ingredients that can be harmful to you and your baby. 

Traveling with baby

Airlines generally only allow pregnant women to fly if they are less than 36 weeks pregnant. If you have a low risk pregnancy, now is the perfect time to travel. Please consult your obstetrician for advice!

Baby Development at 21 Weeks

sense of taste development

Taste development

Babies at this stage can suck, grasp, and even burp. Their taste buds are also well developed so they can taste the food you are eating when they swallow the amniotic fluid.

limbs coordination

Physical coordination

Your baby is getting stronger every day! Cartilage is turning into bone, and the limbs are now coordinated thanks to neurons that have connected to control them.

hair starts to grow

Hair is growing

As your baby grows, his or her arms and legs start to look in proportion to the rest of the body. At the same time, soft hair and eyebrows start to grow on the head.

Your Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 21

At 21 weeks pregnant, you're now in the middle of your second trimester. Most of the discomfort and early pregnancy symptoms have diminished, but even with a more comfortable second trimester, there are still some symptoms to be aware of. Be sure to keep an eye out for any new or worsening symptoms, and talk to your midwife or obstetrician if anything seems off.

Stretch marks

As your baby continues to grow, your skin isn't able to keep up with the rate of growth. This can cause the connective tissue in the dermis to break, forming stretch marks. The timing of when stretch marks appear varies from person to person, but they're usually seen during the second or third trimester. They're more common on the abdomen and breasts, but can also appear on the buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks can be managed by careful application of moisturisers but always consult your obstetrician or midwife first a some products may contain ingredients that can be harmful to you and your baby, such as retinol. 

Varicose veins

Pregnancy can put a lot of pressure on your legs, and an enlarged uterus can compress the veins in your pelvis, which can lead to varicose veins in your legs and vulva.

Calf cramps

Leg cramps during pregnancy are often experienced by expectant mothers during periods of rest or sleep. They can be caused by a lack of calcium and are usually resolved by consuming foods or drinks that are high in calcium or taking a calcium supplement.

Worsening constipation

Pregnant women’s progesterone levels remain high, which can lead to worsening constipation. The best way to avoid any adverse effects is by consulting a doctor before taking any medication or laxatives. Pregnant women should also remember to stay hydrated and eat foods that are high in fiber. 

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Advice from OT&P Obstetricians

If you and your baby are healthy, the second trimester is a great time to travel. Some airlines have restrictions on the number of weeks of pregnancy, and they generally only accept pregnant women who are under 36 weeks pregnant to board the plane. Medical certificates may be required from the 28th to 36th week of pregnancy, depending on the guidelines of individual airlines. Please consult your airline and travel insurance company, as well as your attending obstetrician, before departure. It's always a good idea to be prepared, especially when it comes to something as important as your health. Pregnant women should put together medical records and safe medicine kits before embarking on their journey, so that they can feel more at ease and have peace of mind during pregnancy.

Exercising during pregnancy does not increase the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth or miscarriage. However, it is important to discuss with your Women's Health Physiotherapist or Obstetrician which exercises are safe to do during pregnancy.

Tips for 21 Weeks Pregnant

  • During pregnancy, increased blood flow to the pelvic area may increase libido
  • If you are pregnant for 3 months and in normal health, you can maintain normal intercourse during pregnancy
  • Regular changes in sitting or standing position, moderate exercise, and maintaining a high-fiber, low-salt diet can help prevent varicose veins
  • Drinking plenty of water is one of the first measures to relieve constipation during pregnancy, which helps with defecation
  • When you're pregnant, you have to be extra careful about what you eat and drink - especially when you're traveling overseas

 

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