Week Twenty One Of Pregnancy
Week 21 Of Your Baby’s Development!
Your baby is the length of a carrot
Baby is about the length of a carrot now, about 11 inches long and weighs about 12 ounces. From this week onwards, measurements are taken from head to toe instead of crown to rump as baby’s legs become more stretched out Vs tucked up. He is quite active now and loves twists, turns and somersaults.
On the development front, baby’s taste buds are kicking into high drive now and it’s said he can actually taste what you are eating just by swallowing the amniotic fluid. Considering this, it’s a great time to get your little one accustomed to tastes that you want him to acquire, like healthy food or certain herbs and spices.
Looks wise, Baby’s arms and legs are all in perfect proportion now and he can move them in a coordinated fashion. He has fully developed eyebrows and eyelids now and his eyes are very active although still not open yet.
Week 21 Of Your Health, Mind & Body Changes
No wonder this trimester is referred to as the dream trimester! This is one of the best stages of pregnancy especially if you, like many others, find yourself practically buzzing with new energy. This may come as a pleasant change from all the achy, nauseous stuff.
Hair and nails may be growing at super speed thanks to the extra oestrogen in your body, a welcome change if you suffer from fine or weak hair! Enjoy your luscious new locks but don’t get too used to it, you do lose the extra hair again a few months after baby is born.
You may be beginning to see stretch marks as your skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby. This is also a stage when you are finally beginning to ‘get’ the idea that you are really going to be a mom. Yes, you knew you were pregnant but it really kind of sinks in at this time, perhaps causing some anxiety and fear. This is quite common, allow yourself to ‘feel all the feels’ and embrace the scary, exciting and wonderful all at the same time.
Week 21 Of Your Next Steps!
- Continuing exercising when you feel able is key at this point because you are building up stamina for your delivery. Walking, swimming, using the stationary bike (if your bump doesn’t get in the way!) are great ways to keep your body active.
- Keep up the Kegel (pelvic floor exercises) too. It’s never too late to start those. You can do them anywhere, anytime. Be sure you are doing the correct technique though, as improper technique can do more harm than good.
“I made a habit of doing my pelvic floor exercises every night in bed as that was the only time I seemed to remember them.“ Lauren
- Try to eat healthy and vary your foods so that baby gets exposed to different tastes and nutrients in the womb. Remember that he has tasted your diet now.
- Rub some pregnancy safe vitamin E rich oil into your baby bump, breasts, hips and thighs to help keep your skin hydrated as it stretches. Just avoid ones with nasty additives like parabens, mineral oil, and silicones because they do nothing to actually help. Everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body and you guessed it – also your baby.
- Talk to people, especially if you are feeling anxious about the delivery or about taking care of your baby well. Being around new moms helps you see that they are doing fine and so will you.
