21 Weeks Pregnant

At 21 Weeks Pregnant, what changes are occurring with your body?

At 21 weeks pregnant, The vast majority of people you encounter will realize you are expecting. If you place your fingers about a half-inch above your belly button, you may be able to feel your uterus. If you notice that your lower legs and feet swell towards the end of the day, try to schedule a couple of times a day when you can sit and rest. If you seem to be battling oily skin and/or increased breakouts on your face or other parts of your body, wash your face with gentle soap and water twice a day.
Many women enjoy this portion of pregnancy the most. They have survived many of the early pregnancy symptoms and are not so big that they feel incredibly uncomfortable. Try to relax during this time, and enjoy being pregnant.

How big is your baby at 21 weeks pregnant?

Up until this point, your baby’s length was measured from the crown of the head to the bottom of the rear end (CRL). Now your baby’s length is measured from crown to heel (CHL). Your baby has grown to over 8 ½ inches (21.6 cm) long and weighs about 12 ounces (.34 kg).

What is happening with your baby?

Your baby’s eyelids have finished forming this week, and he/she is very busy moving around and swallowing amniotic fluid. You most likely have felt your baby move by this time and have realized that he/she is not necessarily on the same schedule that you are. As your baby swallows amniotic fluid, the digestive tract is continuing to mature. Your baby is also receiving some of the caloric intakes from the amniotic fluid. If your baby is a girl, her vagina has fully formed but will continue to develop until birth.

What should you plan for pregnancy week 21?

As you gain more weight during your pregnancy, you may notice that you are beginning to develop varicose veins, which occur in the majority of pregnant women. They most often appear in the legs but can also be found in the vulva and rectum. Pressure from the growing uterus and blood flow changes can worsen varicose veins. Some women may notice a painless purple or blue spot on their legs, while others will have obviously swollen veins that are painful and require elevation. Swelling normally disappears after pregnancy, but the varicose veins often will not completely disappear.

Tips for making your pregnancy better

A urinary tract infection (UTI), or bladder infection, is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. UTI’s are more common during pregnancy because of changes in the urinary tract. The uterus sits directly on top of the bladder. As the uterus grows, its increased weight can block the drainage of urine from the bladder, causing an infection. If the UTI goes untreated, it may lead to a kidney infection. You can reduce the likelihood of developing a UTI by doing a few things:

  • Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day and unsweetened cranberry juice regularly.
  • After urinating, wipe from the front toward the back.
  • Urinate before and after intercourse.
  • Avoid wearing tight-fitting pants.
  • Wear all-cotton or cotton-crotch underwear and pantyhose.

Please see our information on UTIs during pregnancy to learn what signs and symptoms to look for.

Tips for mom’s partner

Did you know you could increase the chances of your partner getting a UTI? Urinary tract infections develop because bacteria get inside the urinary tract, which is right above the vaginal area. This often can happen during sexual intercourse or different types of sexual contact. You can help avoid bacteria getting into the urinary tract by showering before any sexual contact occurs and encouraging your partner to urinate before and after intercourse. These small acts can help her avoid the pain and discomfort associated with a UTI.

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