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21 weeks pregnant: what happens to the baby, mother, fetal movement
The nausea and weakness of the first trimester has already passed, and the expectant mother is feeling well. The second half of the 5th month of pregnancy began, if you calculate the period from the last day of the menstrual cycle. The baby in the stomach continues to grow, he can already hear the lullabies that his mother hums to him, and feel the taste of the food she has eaten.
What happens to a woman’s body in the 21th week of pregnancy
First, a few words about appearance. As a woman’s hormones change, her skin may become more oily. You need to pay attention to cleansing and moisturizing. It is advisable not to use cosmetics containing oil in large quantities. Sometimes acne or age spots appear, but all unwanted skin changes will soon disappear.
The volumetric blood flow during pregnancy increases one and a half to two times. The load on the heart and blood vessels increases, and edema may appear.
Already at the 21st week, you can begin to prevent varicose veins and the appearance of edema. It consists in observing the drinking regime and proper nutrition.
If you already have varicose veins, you need to wear compression underwear and do gymnastics to normalize blood flow in the legs. While sitting, you need to raise your legs on a small stool, and while lying down – on a rolled blanket or sofa cushion.
The enlarged belly is already noticeable. The woman begins to visit strange thoughts, feelings of insecurity and anxiety. During pregnancy, when the hormonal background has changed, emotions change daily, but after the birth of the baby, everything returns to normal. It is advisable to share your fears with those who can comfort and support – with close relatives or a husband. By understanding the cause of your anxiety, you can eliminate it.
Fetal development at 21 weeks
At this time, the weight of the fetus is about 300 g, in a week it will increase by another 100 g. Bones and muscles are rapidly developing in the crumbs. Therefore, a woman needs to pay special attention to proper nutrition. So, a symptom of a lack of calcium can be muscle cramps in the legs and deterioration of the teeth.
From the 21st week, the fetus gains weight faster than during the entire previous period of development. It uses nutrients from the amniotic fluid for growth by swallowing them.
The amniotic fluid serves as food and drink for the fetus, and processed products are excreted from the body in the urine and through the rectum. The amniotic fluid in the uterus is renewed every 3 hours.
The crumbs have cilia and eyebrows, but the color of the iris of the eyes is not yet visible due to the absence of melanin in it. The eyes are closed, but they are already actively moving over the centuries. A small amount of carbohydrates from the amniotic fluid is absorbed in the baby’s intestines, and the taste buds on the tongue can sense what the mother ate 2 hours ago.
The bone marrow begins to produce blood cells. Up to this point, the liver and spleen performed the function of hematopoiesis. By the 30th week, the spleen will stop producing blood cells, and the liver will completely transfer this role to the bone marrow a few weeks before delivery.
In the child, the rudiments of milk teeth begin to form, the main dental tissue is laid. The reproductive system of the fetus continues to form. On ultrasound, you can see the sex of the child if he turns in the right direction.
What should pay attention to?
The number of thrusts during the day can tell a lot about how well the baby is feeling in Mom’s belly. It is believed that during this period, the fetus makes about 200 movements per day, but the woman feels only 10-15 shocks per day. Too much movement of the crumbs may indicate a lack of oxygen, this happens if a woman suffers from anemia.
It is necessary to check the iron content in the blood and start timely treatment if the diagnosis of anemia is confirmed. This is important for the correct formation and growth of the fetus.
A woman may develop thrush during pregnancy. Its signs are redness around the opening of the vagina and a yeast-smelling discharge. The disease can only be treated under the strict supervision of a physician.
A child born at the 21st week is almost unviable, he still has to grow for several months in his mother’s belly. Therefore, a pregnant woman needs to pay attention to the nature of vaginal discharge. A change in their appearance or smell may indicate the presence of an infection. Bloody discharge is especially dangerous, having noticed them, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor so that there is no premature birth.
What are the dangerous abdominal pains?
At the 21st week, the appearance of a small temporary abdominal pain is a natural phenomenon. The uterus increases in size, the ligaments holding it are stretched. Usually, such pains are concentrated on the sides or on one side of the abdomen, they quickly stop and are not dangerous for a pregnant woman.
An alarming symptom is cramping pain in the lower abdomen at the 21st week of gestation. It may be due to the increased muscle tone of the uterus.
This pain is girdle in nature, begins in the abdomen and radiates to the back. If it does not subside for more than an hour, it is necessary to urgently contact the attending gynecologist to avoid premature birth.
Due to hormonal changes in the body of a woman at the 21st week of pregnancy, disturbing thoughts may come to her. The child begins to grow faster, and there is no reason for fear. The support of loved ones and consultation with your doctor will help to overcome all difficulties.
What happens when you get pregnant with twins?
Now children are as long as carrots, their height is 26,3 cm, and their weight is 395 g. With each week, the difference in weight between twins can become more noticeable, and this is normal. Most of their time, the crumbs spend in the pose of kalchik, but when they wake up, they stretch out. You will feel it clearly.
By the 21st week, a woman’s appetite is no longer so strong, but heartburn remains. Also, the stomach still itches due to stretching of the skin.
Sijapenda hili chapisho…lugha iliyotumika si rahisi kuelewa, ina maneno magumu, na misamiati ambayo si rahisi kuelewa maana yake, nawashauri tumieni lugha nyepesi