21 Weeks Pregnant
21 Weeks Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week
pregnancy weeks 21
**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.
Week 21
How Big is the Baby at 21 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 21 your baby now weighs over 10 ounces and is a little larger than 7 inches long or about the length of a full banana by now! Your baby will continue to grow at a remarkable pace as you continue your pregnancy week by week.
Your Baby’s Growth and Development
By pregnancy 21 weeks your baby’s growth has now slowed somewhat though your baby is still growing and developing at a remarkable pace. At pregnancy week 21 your baby’s organs and central nervous system are still developing and maturing. Your baby’s skin continues to develop and mature as well.
Though not fully matured or developed, your baby’s digestive system is also working minimally at pregnancy 21 weeks. The intestines are slowly starting to contract and relax during pregnancy at 21 weeks, and your baby is able to swallow and absorb fluids through the amniotic fluid at 21 Weeks Pregnant.
Though it seems unusual that your baby may swallow amniotic fluid, this actually helps mature the digestive system.
At some point in your pregnancy, you might actually start noticing that your baby has started hiccupping. Believe it or not, hiccupping in utero is actually quite common, and typically not a sign that your baby is in distress. Fetal hiccups typically begin sometime during the second trimester. You may notice hiccups as a small, repetitive and rhythmic movement that occurs for a few minutes at a time in your belly. Many women actually enjoy the sensation of their baby’s hiccups because it reminds them that all is well with their newborn baby.
Some babies will hiccup more than others. Whereas one mom might only notice her baby hiccup on occasion, another might notice their baby hiccup more than 5 times a day.
Your Growth and Development
While you are growing during pregnancy week 21, your abdomen is still a size that is quite manageable and allows a great deal of movement and freedom. Many women enjoy the second trimester and consider it the honeymoon of pregnancy.
Changes in You
You may be noticing aches and pains in your leg during or after 21 Weeks Pregnant. Just as with varicose veins, discussed in previous weeks, support stockings can help alleviate leg heaviness and aches during pregnancy. Try putting your maternity support hose on first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. This will help alleviate unnecessary swelling and discomfort in your legs.
Also consider propping your feet up when sitting if you don’t already do so. Another way to alleviate aches and pains is regular exercise and stretching. Consider a 15-minute stretch and walk during your lunch break or once in the morning and once during the afternoon. This will go a long way toward alleviating aches and pains.
Pregnancy Pillows
Pregnancy Pillows Are A Good Choice During the Second Trimester
If you haven’t already you should consider using a pregnancy pillow during your second trimester of pregnancy. During the second trimester your body starts to grow and expand. The increasing size and weight of your uterus places more pressure on your back and results in postural changes that can lead to discomfort and back pain, even while you sleep.
Use of a pregnancy pillow like Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows during the second trimester and on can help reduce back pain and discomfort at night and help promote a sound night’s sleep.
Maternity Clothes
Casual Bottoms Preferred By Expectant Moms the World Over
Want to know what most expectant moms say their favorite maternity clothes are? Casual bottoms of course! As your waistline expands you may find yourself a little more hesitant to wear complicated outfits requiring numerous accessories. The number one thing moms look for when shopping for maternity items is comfort… something Casual Bottoms at Motherhood Maternity have to offer in spades!
There is good news for moms-to-be in today’s fashion conscious society… even casual bottoms can look fantastic during pregnancy! There are simply hundreds of different styles and fits to choose from. Whether you are a sporty mom to be or someone that is simply looking for something a little more functional than your career attire, be sure to check out the wide selection of casual bottoms offered by the leading retailers! Your body and your baby will thank you for the comfort and support these garments offer!
Pregnancy Health Tips
After delivery it is quite normal to go through a period of elation followed by a short period referred to as the baby blues. Having a baby can bring on many different emotions. Joy is often intermingled with challenges and exhaustion. Most newborn babies do not sleep through the night until many weeks after birth. This can result in moodiness and sometimes depression.
The baby blues otherwise known as postpartum blues are quite common, affecting up to 80 percent of women who give birth, usually in the first few weeks after delivery. A normal case of the blues can be characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, fatigue, irritability and even nauseousness. You may find your appetite changes and you feel down for several days. Fortunately these feelings are usually pretty normal during the first couple of weeks after birth. The blues should only last a few days. The rapid drop in hormones that occurs immediately following delivery may also influence your mental state.
Sometimes however the depression and anxiety experienced after birth become much more serious. Baby blues are not the same as a condition called postpartum depression or PPD. While they share many of the same symptoms, PPD is much more serious than a case of the baby blues, and may result in suicidal thoughts or a woman’s inability to care for her newborn baby.
You might suspect PPD if you exhibit any of the following symptoms after the birth of your baby:
Inability to shake the blues after two weeks.
Constant insomnia despite exhaustion.
Weepiness or crying that persists all day for days at a time.
Lack of interest in your baby or daily life.
Changes in appetite that persist.
Anxiety that does not diminish with rest and support.
Moodiness and irritability that seems excessive.
Feelings of guilt about your ability to care for your baby.
Panic attacks.
Suicidal thoughts.
Feelings like you might harm your baby.
If you suspect that you might have PPD it is best that you contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. One of the most common signs of PPD is that you are not able to sleep when your baby does, even though you are exhausted. PPD sometimes results in feelings like you won’t be able to care for your baby.
In very rare circumstances postpartum depression can result in psychosis, which is characterized by delusional thinking and violent or suicidal impulses. It is absolutely critical that you see your healthcare provider should you experience any symptoms like this.
Remember that PPD can strike at any time, and can strike any woman regardless of her background or abilities. Some women with a history of depression in their family may be more susceptible than others, so it is important that you discuss your family history with your healthcare provider, so they can take adequate preventive measures to ensure that you are ok after delivery.
At this time researchers aren’t exactly certain why some women develop PPD and some do not. There are some women however who are considered more at risk than others including the following:
Women who are dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.
Single mothers.
Parents who are financially burdened.
Individuals recently experiencing severe stress or a loss.
Women who suffer from PMS.
Women who have a family history of depression.
The good news is your healthcare provider can treat PPD and help you recover completely. It is important that you share any feelings you are experiencing during the postpartum period. Reach out to those around you, and you’ll find that you are less likely to experience the symptoms of depression. It is also important that you get sleep whenever you can during the early weeks after delivery. Sleep deprivation in and of itself may be enough to contribute to severe depression in many women. If you aren’t in a situation where someone can relieve you occasionally, consider hiring a babysitter once or twice a week so you can get some much needed rest.
Article you might be interested in reading: Unplanned Pregnancy, Pregnancy Support Belt, Pregnancy Due Date and Pregnancy Health Insurance
Article source: http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com
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