You are now 21 weeks pregnant (the beginning of week 22). Your baby is around 25 cm long from head to toe (10 inches) and weighs just under 1/2 a kilogram (about 1 pound).
Most women have definitely felt their baby move inside them by now, although the sensations may still be sporadic and infrequent. A few women are still waiting!
Your baby's skin is being increasingly covered by vernix. This is a thick, white, greasy cream that protects their skin in their watery environment. Vernix disappears by about 40 weeks, but if your baby is born at 39 weeks or less, you will notice it is still on their skin. Your baby's eyelids are still fused shut but the retinas of their eyes are fully developed and they now have distinct eyelashes and eyebrows.
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, hips or breasts.
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.
Common symptoms to look out for:
Your week 21 FAQ's answered:
How big is my baby at 21 weeks?
Right now, your baby is around ten and a half inches long (or the size of a carrot) and weighs around 11 and 12 and a half ounces.
How many months is 21 weeks pregnant?
Counting your pregnancy in weeks and months can get confusing, around now, you are four months and about three weeks pregnant.
How big should my belly be at 21 weeks pregnant?
This varies from expectant mother, but as a guide, by now you will probably have gained around 13 to 14 pounds (or around 21 pounds if you're expecting twins). You'll gain around 30 pounds in total during your pregnancy.
Most women have definitely felt their baby move inside them by now, although the sensations may still be sporadic and infrequent. A few women are still waiting!Your baby's skin is being increasingly covered by vernix. This is a thick, white, greasy cream that protects their skin in their watery environment. Vernix disappears by about 40 weeks, but if your baby is born at 39 weeks or less, you will notice it is still on their skin. Your baby's eyelids are still fused shut but the retinas of their eyes are fully developed and they now have distinct eyelashes and eyebrows.
Your baby's hair follicles are now pigmenting to give them hair colour, looking dark, fair or red!
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, hips or breasts.
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.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- 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.
Physical changes
Braxton Hicks
After about 20 weeks of pregnancy many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions. These are practise contractions of the uterus, also known as tightenings. Braxton-Hicks contractions tone the uterine muscles as well as physically stimulating your unborn baby. Every time your baby feels the uterus tightening around them, it is similar to a massage!
Women often describe Braxton-Hicks contractions as a hardness or mild cramping of their belly. Some women liken it to a tight band being pulled across their uterus, which usually eases if they change position or what they are doing. Most women find Braxton Hicks contractions painless and many women are not even aware they are happening, perhaps until their caregiver points one out to them while feeling their belly at a pregnancy visit. However, Braxton Hicks contractions can feel quite strong and painful for a few women, even labour-like, especially if this is not their first baby.
Emotional reactions
As your baby grows and your belly swells, the physical changes of pregnancy become much more evident. Some women like their belly and feel beautiful, strong and sensual, while others feel unsure or unhappy. How you feel about your pregnant body is very individual but generally everyone goes through some level of adjustment. Your personal concept of your body image can also affect your relationship with your partner (if you have one), as well as how they perceive your changing body.
Other considerations
Making love during pregnancy
Some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions during love-making or when climaxing. These are a normal part of pregnancy after about 20 weeks and are not of any concern, generally subsiding after a short while.
As the pregnancy progresses and your baby grows bigger and stronger, you and/or your partner may be able to feel the baby move, perhaps during love making (as the baby can move at any time). Most people find this fascinating and/or amusing. Others feel a little disconcerted, or somewhat put off, or even concerned or scared. You can read more here.
Natural therapies in pregnancy
Healers - Reiki
Healers and those who perform Reiki are people who believe they have a gift that allows them to 'lay hands' upon a person and transfer energy or power from the world /universe or God (or some form of spirituality) via their body to another person's body to heal itself. It is not really understood how healing or Reiki works. It is thought the client's brain waves may be stimulated during the treatment, therefore speeding up the body's ability to heal itself. Imbalances are thought to be rectified through promoting a feeling of relaxation and well-being. People being treated describe various feelings including tingling sensations, emotional upheaval and mental clarity.
Braxton Hicks
After about 20 weeks of pregnancy many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions. These are practise contractions of the uterus, also known as tightenings. Braxton-Hicks contractions tone the uterine muscles as well as physically stimulating your unborn baby. Every time your baby feels the uterus tightening around them, it is similar to a massage!
Women often describe Braxton-Hicks contractions as a hardness or mild cramping of their belly. Some women liken it to a tight band being pulled across their uterus, which usually eases if they change position or what they are doing. Most women find Braxton Hicks contractions painless and many women are not even aware they are happening, perhaps until their caregiver points one out to them while feeling their belly at a pregnancy visit. However, Braxton Hicks contractions can feel quite strong and painful for a few women, even labour-like, especially if this is not their first baby.
Emotional reactions
As your baby grows and your belly swells, the physical changes of pregnancy become much more evident. Some women like their belly and feel beautiful, strong and sensual, while others feel unsure or unhappy. How you feel about your pregnant body is very individual but generally everyone goes through some level of adjustment. Your personal concept of your body image can also affect your relationship with your partner (if you have one), as well as how they perceive your changing body.
Other considerations
Making love during pregnancy
Some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions during love-making or when climaxing. These are a normal part of pregnancy after about 20 weeks and are not of any concern, generally subsiding after a short while.
As the pregnancy progresses and your baby grows bigger and stronger, you and/or your partner may be able to feel the baby move, perhaps during love making (as the baby can move at any time). Most people find this fascinating and/or amusing. Others feel a little disconcerted, or somewhat put off, or even concerned or scared. You can read more here.
Natural therapies in pregnancy
Healers - Reiki
Healers and those who perform Reiki are people who believe they have a gift that allows them to 'lay hands' upon a person and transfer energy or power from the world /universe or God (or some form of spirituality) via their body to another person's body to heal itself. It is not really understood how healing or Reiki works. It is thought the client's brain waves may be stimulated during the treatment, therefore speeding up the body's ability to heal itself. Imbalances are thought to be rectified through promoting a feeling of relaxation and well-being. People being treated describe various feelings including tingling sensations, emotional upheaval and mental clarity.
What to do this week:
Maternity leave: Start thinking about what maternity leave you want to take and when you want to start it. Statutory maternity leave lasts 52 weeks and you’re eligible for statutory maternity pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks. You’ll need to inform your employer when you want to stop work and the day you want your SMP to start. You must give at least 28 days notice, and your employer must confirm within 28 days how much SMP you’ll get and when it will start and stop.
Your week 21 FAQ's answered:
How big is my baby at 21 weeks?
Right now, your baby is around ten and a half inches long (or the size of a carrot) and weighs around 11 and 12 and a half ounces.
How many months is 21 weeks pregnant?
Counting your pregnancy in weeks and months can get confusing, around now, you are four months and about three weeks pregnant.
How big should my belly be at 21 weeks pregnant?
This varies from expectant mother, but as a guide, by now you will probably have gained around 13 to 14 pounds (or around 21 pounds if you're expecting twins). You'll gain around 30 pounds in total during your pregnancy.
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