Symptoms to experience on the 21st week of your pregnancy

• Fetal Movement: Since your baby is quite developed now, you will find a lot of movement like twisting, turning, and kicking which you are sure to experience.
• Enhanced Appetite: By this week you will start feeling an enhanced appetite. Try and eat healthy meals in order to keep yourself full. Avoid junk food, but you can indulge in some treats once in a while.
• Backaches: Backaches are another symptom that is quite common during this period. As your uterus grows you would find the center of gravity shifting forward putting extra pressure on your lower back. Try to take adequate rest and avoid lifting any heavy loads which would make things worse.
• Bleeding Gums: The pregnancy hormones cause mucous membranes into your body which can induce your mouth to be swelled, irritated, and bleeding gums. It is very important that you continue flossing and brushing regularly so as to prevent any major disease.
• Growing Nails: Pregnancy hormones lead to an increased circulation in your body which brings extra nutrients to your hair, nails which is the reason it starts growing fast.

Your belly at 21 weeks

You are having quite some stretch marks throughout your body. Try and use a certain moisturizer so as to make the stretch marks look less prominent. Also, it is also the period, you may find yourself anxious, but relax it is completely normal to have it. Talk to your friends or partner about it in order to relieve some of the anxiety.

Ultrasound of the 21st week.

Your tiny fetus will start looking like a tiny human now. You will be seeing the brain hemispheres and also the heart chambers will be visible in this week’s ultrasound. If you want you can ask your doctor or technician to reveal the sex of your baby during this week also. Or you can just let that be a surprise as well.  You may have few tests or checkups this week.

• The next routine prenatal visit will be around 24 weeks.
• You can expect a screening test for gestational diabetes between 24 weeks and 28 weeks.

Special Considerations

Bleeding during pregnancy can be really scary. So, it is important that it is evaluated in the right way.

Vaginal Bleeding: There are several causes that can cause vaginal bleeding like after sex, after a pelvic examination at the doctor’s office, or some growth in the cervix.

However vaginal bleeding can be a sign of certain serious complications like

• Infection
• Early Cervix Opening
• Early Labor
• The placenta is separated from the uterus.

So do consult your doctor immediately if you find your vagina bleeding.

Tips to follow on the 21st week of your pregnancy.

• Keep yourself hydrated.

water is extremely essential to consume during your pregnancy. Hydration is not only needed for your system but also to retain the elasticity of your skin during this time. To keep yourself hydrated make sure you are consuming enough juices as well, you can drink tonics but only healthy things. No matter how much your heart craves, do not drink colas and wines. Have fresh juices and loads of water.

• Indulge in exercising.

During this week you will feel extremely lethargic but you need to keep yourself active and indulge in some workout as well. You can get enrolled in pregnancy yoga classes, solely meant for pregnant women, or go for small evening walks. You can also do simple stretching at home if you want. Just workout according to your convenience and do not let the lethargy get into your head.

• Train yourself to take care of your baby.

Your baby will be arriving soon and you definitely need to be prepared for everything. If you are going to be a mommy for the first time it is better for you to take childcare classes. You can also spend time watching videos and taking notes from your close ones who are mothers. You need to know the techniques of breastfeeding and also how to manage your child’s moods. Other than that knowing what different crying patterns mean can also be known if you get trained by a professional.

To-do List for this Week

• Since during pregnancy, you may experience heartburns and indigestion try to drink plenty of healthy fluids so as to keep yourself hydrated.
• Try to engage in physical activity within safe limits. It is very important to keep your weight gain under control and is also beneficial for your baby,
• Since leg cramps and swelling are common try and elevate your feet whenever possible.
• Talk about the concerns with your partner.