Fetal movement at 21 weeks of gestation

Useful tips for the 21st week

Over the past few weeks, the external changes in your body are not inferior to the internal ones. It's time to update your wardrobe. What does an expectant mother need? Maternity underwear. Choose underwear made from natural, hypoallergenic fabrics. It should allow air to pass freely, not press or press. Doctors recommend choosing a bra with wide straps without bone inserts, and panties with a low waist, or, conversely, supporting the stomach. Bandage. A bandage is a support belt. It helps relieve tension in the lower back and support a growing belly. Its function is to redistribute the load. Maternity bands are available in the form of panties and belts, which can change size as the belly grows. Tights. Maternity tights differ from regular tights in that they have a special insert. There are also therapeutic tights for the prevention of varicose veins, which improve blood circulation, relieve swelling of the legs, and reduce the load on the heart.

First fetal movement during pregnancy 21 weeks of pregnancy

The first fetal movements are observed already in the seventh week of pregnancy. In late pregnancy, most women experience active fetal movement. Every woman who has become a mother remembers the feeling when she felt the first movement of her unborn child. It is truly unforgettable. After all, movement is the most important sign of fetal life; it is also a kind of communication between a woman and her baby, who is inside her. The child makes his first movements while still in the womb, when there is not only a spiritual, but also a physical connection between the fetus and its mother. The movement of the fetus during pregnancy is undoubtedly a great joy for every woman who is preparing to become a mother. Having felt the first movements of the fetus, a woman, as a rule, does not understand what is happening to her, however, in later stages of pregnancy, having felt the movement of the child, the woman experiences feelings unlike anything else. And if fetal movement is not felt in the second trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother begins to worry whether everything is okay with her baby. However, if your belly grows over time, and the doctor who is monitoring your pregnancy hears the heartbeat of a little person during the examination, this means that the baby is growing and developing. If all these signs are observed, there is no reason to worry. The first movements of the fetus are observed already in the seventh week of pregnancy, however, at this stage the embryo is still too small, it does not come into contact with the walls of the uterus, so the woman does not feel the movement of the fetus at the beginning of pregnancy. The first fetal movements during pregnancy, perceptible to the woman, begin to occur somewhere between 19 and 21 weeks. However, every woman’s body is structured differently, so these dates may vary. A woman can feel the first movements of the baby at both 14 and 25 weeks of pregnancy. As a rule, women expecting their second child already know what fetal movement is, so they recognize fetal movement during pregnancy earlier than women expecting their first child. This is also explained by the fact that the muscles of the uterus of a woman who has already given birth are more sensitive than those of a primigravida woman. In addition, the timing at which the expectant mother first notices fetal movements during pregnancy also depends on the woman’s physique. For example, obese women may only feel more noticeable movements during pregnancy, which appear at a later stage.

How often should a baby move at 21 weeks of pregnancy?

So, the “equator” of pregnancy has already been passed, the fifth obstetric month is ending. The 21st week of pregnancy is approaching - the beginning of a calm and favorable sixth month. Now is the most fertile time for mom, since normally her health should be excellent. The baby continues to grow actively, but the growth rate is no longer as fast as in the first half of gestation.

For a woman, the 21st obstetric week of pregnancy is unlikely to be very different from the previous one. The only difference may be a sharp weight gain, but there is nothing strange in this, the child continues to grow, and not only in length, the baby begins to develop adipose tissue.

Often, pregnant women at this stage note an increase in appetite. You don’t need to severely limit yourself in food, but you should choose healthy dishes rather than buns and cakes.

Well-being

Pregnancy at 21 weeks is the “opening” of the final half of the gestation period. Normally, expectant mothers should look great and feel great. The tummy is already noticeably protruding, but so far it is not so heavy as to cause discomfort.

Various unpleasant sensations may occur from time to time, but they should not be constant and intense. Let's figure out what happens at 21 weeks of pregnancy.

Movements

At the 21st week of pregnancy, almost all mothers already feel the movements of the unborn baby. It should be noted that the fetus begins to actively move much earlier, the mother simply cannot feel it. There is no exact time when a woman will be able to feel the kicks of her baby for the first time; in this matter, everything is very individual.

Some especially sensitive mothers begin to feel tremors as early as 16 weeks, while others experience this unforgettable feeling only at 21-22. Women who have already had children, as a rule, begin to feel the first tremors earlier than those who are carrying their first pregnancy.

Some mothers are very worried and ask: “What should I do if I’m twenty weeks pregnant and I can’t feel the baby moving?” There is no need to panic, but you should definitely inform your doctor about this.

If, after an ultrasound scan at 21 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor confirms that the baby is developing normally, then there is no need to worry. You just need to wait a little, and you will definitely experience that delightful feeling when the baby kicks in your tummy.

Normally, during this period there should be about 10 movements per day. Women may notice that their baby often becomes active under certain circumstances. For example, when mom goes to bed in the evening.

It has been noticed that the mother’s mood is often transmitted to the baby. If a woman is cheerful and active, then the baby moves more often, and sometimes the baby’s kicks are a real “cry for help.” For example, if a mother spends a long time in a stuffy room with stale air, the baby may begin to push more actively, signaling that he does not have enough oxygen.

A fetus at 21 weeks of gestation can already hear sounds perfectly, so mom and dad can start talking to their offspring. Let him get used to the voices of his parents. It is very useful for pregnant women to listen to melodic, calm music; you can sing lullabies to the baby.

Uterus

The uterus continues to grow; during the period described, it already rises about 1 cm above the navel. Due to the growth of the uterus, other organs are compressed, which can cause some discomfort.

Thus, the raised uterus begins to support the lungs, which can lead to shortness of breath. Therefore, the 21st week of pregnancy is a great time to start doing breathing exercises. Don't waste your time on this! The breathing techniques you master will greatly help you during childbirth.

Stomach

The belly at 21 weeks of pregnancy cannot be hidden from others; it becomes obvious to everyone that the woman is pregnant. The volume of the abdomen at this stage and its shape depend on many factors.

In women who are pregnant for the first time, the abdomen is usually sharp, shaped like an egg. In repeat pregnant women, the volume of the abdomen may be larger and it may be more rounded, “blurry”.

In addition, the size of the abdomen is influenced by the amount of amniotic fluid, as well as by the fact whether there is one baby or two. With multiple pregnancies, the size of the abdomen will naturally be larger. So, 21 weeks of pregnancy with twins is already quite a difficult time, because the stomach has an impressive volume, and the activity of two babies can cause discomfort for the mother.

How is the baby doing?

We figured out what the expectant mother feels at 21 weeks of pregnancy, and what happens to the baby during the same period of time we will tell below. Starting from the last (twentieth) week, the baby’s growth begins to be measured differently.

If up to this point the distance from the tailbone to the crown of the head was measured, now the full height is measured - to the heels. At 21 weeks, the body length of the unborn baby is 25-27 cm, and the weight of the fetus by this moment should be 350-400 grams.

From this time on, the baby will grow a little slower in length, but the child’s weight will begin to increase significantly, as he begins to actively “put on fat,” that is, he begins to develop a layer of subcutaneous fat.

The further formation of the digestive system continues and the baby is already beginning to “use” it. He swallows amniotic fluid, thus “training” the esophagus. Some substances (sugar, water) contained in the amniotic fluid are absorbed by the child’s body on its own.

Mothers should know that the taste of amniotic fluid is affected by its diet. For example, if the mother has a sweet tooth, then the child will receive a lot of sugar, which is not very healthy.

The baby's body is already beginning to produce digestive enzymes that help him absorb nutrients obtained from the amniotic fluid. But so far these enzymes are produced in very small quantities.

At 21 weeks of pregnancy, the size of the fetus still allows it to move freely, perform somersaults and flips. Thanks to this, the muscles are strengthened, and the child controls his body more and more confidently, making various movements.

Thus, the development of the fetus at the 21st week of pregnancy is characterized by further improvement of already fully formed organs and systems. His endocrine system is already actively working; the following glands, although not yet fully perform their functions:

The spleen also comes into play. The development of the central nervous system continues, the baby has already developed a regime for himself in which periods of sleep are replaced by periods of wakefulness. In addition, the following changes are noted at this time:

taste buds are formed on the surface of the tongue, so the baby can already distinguish the taste of amniotic fluid;
the baby’s own leukocytes appear in the blood - cells that protect the body from infections;
the kidneys and urinary system continue to improve;
meconium is formed - sterile original feces.

Surveys

In a normal pregnancy, additional tests are not required at this stage; only an ultrasound can be prescribed at 21 weeks, if the mother did not undergo it a week earlier.

An ultrasound performed at the 21st week of pregnancy will most likely provide an answer to the question that concerns all parents: who will be born to them in a few months - a son or a daughter. But, of course, the examination is not ordered to satisfy the understandable curiosity of parents.

During an ultrasound, the doctor determines:

head dimensions - circumference, distance between the temporal bones, length of the line from the forehead to the back of the head;
tummy circumference;
size of limb bones;
condition of internal organs;
heartbeat;
condition of the placenta,
volume of amniotic fluid.

Analyzes

If a woman took tests last week, then at 21 weeks, as a rule, she will need to get the result. The results of screening examinations are assessed using special programs. The assessment takes into account the individual characteristics of the woman - weight, age, presence of chronic diseases, etc.

The results obtained are not a diagnosis, but the degree of risk of developing pathologies in the fetus. If the value is 1 in 350 or lower, then there is not much concern, the risk is very low. If you receive disappointing results (1 in 250 and below), you should not panic.

This result suggests that the risk of having a baby with pathologies is one case in 250. Therefore, calmly follow all the necessary doctor’s orders, attend consultations with specialists (if required) and hope for the best.

Possible complications

Many expectant mothers experience an increase in appetite during this period, which can lead to excess weight gain. Overeating and the resulting obesity will not only ruin your figure, but can also harm the health of the woman and the unborn baby.

Obesity can contribute to the development of metabolic disorders and even diabetes. Therefore, you need to monitor your diet and weight. On average, at this stage a woman should weigh 5-6 kg more than before pregnancy, and the increase during this week of pregnancy should not exceed 350 grams.

The calorie content of the diet should be in the range of 2700-3000 kcal, and the main part of the diet should be protein foods and complex carbohydrates, but the amount of sweets and baked goods should be reduced. Large portions should be avoided; it is better to eat small meals 6-7 times a day than to eat 2-3 times a day, but in large portions.

It is necessary to monitor not only the caloric content, but also the composition of the diet; it must contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking vitamin tablets. During this period, deficiency of vitamin D and calcium is especially dangerous.

What awaits me at 21 weeks

A woman expecting the birth of her first baby does not yet understand what fetal movement during pregnancy is, so she may simply not recognize the movements of the baby inside her. In addition, these dates may change due to incorrect diagnosis of pregnancy. So, if at the beginning of the second trimester you still do not feel your baby moving, there is no need to worry, it may be due to the above factors. Each woman expects the first movements to appear differently, some wait for this with trepidation and pay attention to every movement, and some do not even notice the first movements of the child, considering them an echo of processes occurring in the body (the so-called “rumbling” in the stomach when the body is hungry). In some cases, when a woman does not feel the movements of the child inside her, the doctor who is observing this patient may prescribe additional examinations, on the basis of which the doctor will draw a conclusion regarding the condition and development of the fetus. Some expectant mothers may not recognize the movement of the baby due to the active lifestyle that the pregnant woman leads. However, if a woman does not feel movements inside herself, this does not mean that the baby is not moving. In late pregnancy, most women experience active fetal movement. This activity must be controlled. For this purpose, obstetricians and gynecologists developed a special calendar on which time intervals are marked. During the day, the woman counts the noticeable movements of the fetus, daily marking on the calendar the time when the tenth movement was recorded. Based on these data, the doctor draws conclusions regarding how active the fetus is. However, it happens that sometimes the baby is very active, and there are days when he did not make a single noticeable push. In this case, the child’s activity must be stimulated. To do this, you need to eat a little, or, for example, drink a glass of milk, after which the woman should lie down for an hour or two. A fresh portion of food, as well as the calm state of the mother, as a rule, activate the child, he begins to actively push. If the situation when the child’s movements are not felt during the day is repeated too often, you need to inform the doctor who is observing you about this. In this case, the doctor will listen to the baby’s heartbeat again and, if necessary, prescribe the necessary examinations and treatment. You should also consult a doctor if there is excessive activity of the fetus, as this may lead to undesirable consequences, for example, the umbilical cord entangling around the baby’s neck. In this case, the doctor will give you advice on how to calm a raging baby. Some time before birth, the activity of the fetus noticeably decreases, which means that the baby is preparing for birth and takes the most convenient position for childbirth. Don't worry, this is completely normal.

Movements 21 weeks pregnant

In order to better understand the “language” of the baby’s movements, we need to remember some stages of the child’s development in the womb, scientifically the stages of embryogenesis. In a human embryo, the first heartbeats appear on the 21st day of development. Elements of skeletal muscle develop due to early contractile activity. Rhythmic contractile activity of primary muscle fibers is observed even before the nervous system of the unborn child begins to take shape. At the end of the embryonic period (end of the eighth week of pregnancy) and the beginning of the fetal period (from the 8th week of pregnancy), the fetal nervous system begins to develop, which is responsible for motor activity. In other words, by this moment there is already muscle tissue, there are nerve fibers that “send” impulses to the muscles, ensuring their contraction. Motor reflexes caused by excitation of nerve endings have been established since the end of the eighth week of pregnancy. The first reflexes in response to irritation of the perioral zone (near the mouth) - the mandibular (buccal) and maxillary (maxillary) branches of the trigeminal nerve occur in a child at 7.5 weeks of pregnancy. From the tenth week of pregnancy, reflexes appear, caused by irritation of areas of the skin to which the spinal nerves go. In a word, the baby begins to move in the uterus quite early. True, these movements are not yet coordinated and not conscious, and the relative sizes of the embryo and amniotic sac are such that the embryo floats freely in the amniotic fluid and rarely touches the wall of the uterus so that the expectant mother can feel it. However, already from the tenth week of pregnancy, having stumbled upon the wall of the uterus, the baby can change the trajectory of movement. From nine weeks of pregnancy, the fetus can swallow amniotic fluid, and this is a complex motor process. At 16 weeks of pregnancy, the child begins to develop motor activity in response to sounds (primarily the mother’s voice and changes in its intonation). At 17 weeks, the baby begins to squint. At eighteen weeks, he fingers the umbilical cord with his hands, clenches and unclenches his fingers, touches his face and even covers his face with his hands when there are sharp, loud and unpleasant sounds. In the 1st trimester, the child has already formed ideas about comfort. They help the child navigate what the intensity of various external stimuli should be. The baby discovers that by moving, he can regulate the intensity of stimulation (for example, move away from loud sounds), he becomes the “creator” of his life. The main task of a child is to develop. For this, the baby needs food and a lot of incentives. If there is not enough nutrition and oxygen, the baby begins to move more actively and thereby massage the placenta in order to receive a sufficient portion of blood during uterine contractions, and with it nutrition and oxygen. Or, let’s say, a pregnant woman lies on her back, thereby squeezing the largest vessels of the body (the inferior vena cava and the bifurcation of the aorta) with the pregnant uterus. The baby will immediately respond with violent movements and force the mother to change her body position, so pregnant women are recommended to lie only on their side. If the child presses the umbilical cord loops, he also begins to actively move and changes his position. How do the movements feel? There can be no clear answer. This may be gurgling, “rolling” in the stomach, small tremors. During the first few days, you may not always be able to pay attention to this, so don’t be alarmed if it seems like your baby isn’t moving every day. It is worth monitoring the baby’s movements more carefully after thirty weeks of pregnancy. There may be slight movements, jolts, or rolling over. The baby can calm down for 3-4 hours, and then makes itself known. The norm is considered to be at least ten episodes of movements per day. By 20-22 weeks, when the spinal cord and brain are formed, the baby's movements become regular. At this stage (about 20 weeks), the mother begins to feel and perceive the baby’s movements. It is known that primiparous women feel movement from twenty weeks of pregnancy, and multiparous women - from 18 weeks of pregnancy. Moreover, these terms may vary. Everyone describes the first movements differently. They can be similar to the splashing of a fish, the fluttering of a butterfly, or, simply, the peristalsis of the intestine. According to most pregnant mothers, this is one of the most exciting periods in their lives, and from this moment on, the mother becomes the most accurate and error-free “sensor” registering the condition of her baby. Many women begin to perceive the child as their child from the first tremors. At first, the baby’s movements are quite timid and uncoordinated, but gradually they become organized and acquire a certain meaning and meaning. Within half an hour, a five-month-old fetus can make from 20 to 60 kicks, sometimes more, sometimes less. In general, the pace, rhythm and strength of movements change depending on the time of day. By 24 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's movements resemble those of a newborn. From this age, the baby actively “talks” to his mother in the language of movements about his anxiety, joy, pleasure and his well-being. In turn, the child reacts very sensitively to changes in the mother’s emotional state. For example, when a pregnant woman is worried or happy, the baby may move more actively or, conversely, calm down for a while. Excessively violent, painful movements of the baby indicate a problem in his condition. Sometimes the baby's movements cause pain to the mother. In this case, mommy needs to change her body position. If fetal movements remain painful for a long time, for several hours, the pregnant woman should definitely inform the doctor about this. Most women note some pain in the hypochondrium in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy - and this is not a deviation from the norm. So how can you properly monitor and interpret your baby’s movements? It is necessary to listen to the baby's movements. A complete cessation of physical activity for twelve hours or more is a very alarming signal. Starting from the 24th week of pregnancy, the baby should move on average 10-15 times per hour, he can sleep for 3 hours and still barely move. However, if the baby is too active for several days or, conversely, for several days his activity has decreased, the pregnant woman should contact her obstetrician. There are situations when you need to constantly monitor your baby's movements. In any case, if you do not feel the baby move within 12 hours, you should consult a doctor. To stimulate the child’s movement on your own, you can do several physical exercises, breathing exercises with holding your breath, and eat sweets. Sudden, very active movements of the baby may be the result of an uncomfortable position of the mother - a position in which the fetus receives less oxygen, for example, when a woman sits cross-legged or lies on her back. In this case, it is necessary to change the position. If movements remain unusually active for several hours, you should consult a doctor. So, sluggish and weak movements or overly active ones also indicate that the child’s condition is unfavorable. Obstetricians recommend using the D. Pearson “Count to Ten” baby movement test. On a special card, the number of movements of the baby is recorded daily from 28 weeks of pregnancy. The counting of movements begins at 9:00 am and ends at 21:00. Start counting fetal movements at exactly nine in the morning, write down the time of the 10th movement in a table or graph. A small number of movements (less than ten per day) may indicate oxygen deficiency in the fetus and is a reason to consult a doctor. If twins are developing, it may seem that fetal movements are felt everywhere and are very intense. An ultrasound can dispel doubts if it is confirmed that two babies are developing in the uterus. The maximum increase in motor activity of the child is observed from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. Then it gradually decreases; This is especially noticeable at the time of childbirth. By the end of the 3rd trimester, the number of movements may decrease somewhat, but their intensity and, one might say, their strength remain the same or increase. It is also interesting that towards the end of pregnancy the most active movements are felt at the location of the child’s limbs. So, if the baby lies head down (this happens in the vast majority of cases), then movements are clearly felt in the upper parts of the uterus; if the pelvic end is adjacent to the exit from the uterus (breech presentation), movements are more distinct in the lower sections. Counting the frequency of the baby's movements for 30 minutes in the morning and evening shows that in healthy pregnant women it increases in the evening. As already noted, the baby’s motor activity characterizes his condition. What does unusual “behavior” in a child mean? If there is a deviation from the normal rhythm, frequency and nature of movements, listening to heart sounds, ultrasound examination and also CTG are necessary. What kind of intrauterine suffering are we talking about when we talk about disorders of a child’s motor activity? Most often, intrauterine suffering of a baby is caused by hypoxia (oxygen starvation). The causes of hypoxia are: complications of pregnancy, various diseases (anemia, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, etc.), bleeding, fetal-placental insufficiency, prolapse from the uterine cavity and pressing of the fallen umbilical cord loops by the baby's head, fetal diseases (Rhesus - conflict, fetal infection). Acute oxygen deficiency can be diagnosed by auscultating (listening to) the baby's heart sounds. In case of chronic intrauterine hypoxia of the baby, cardiotocography indicators (registration of heart contractions using a special device) are more informative. When the fetus moves, the heart rate normally increases by ten to fifteen beats per minute. In the initial stages of intrauterine hypoxia, the child’s restless behavior is noted, which consists of increased frequency and intensification of his motor activity. With progressive hypoxia of the child, a weakening and cessation of his movements occurs.

Fetal activity and mother's anxiety at 21 weeks

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Congratulations, half way done! 21 weeks of pregnancy are five full obstetric months plus one week, that is, the beginning of the sixth month.

At this stage, the age of the fetus is already 19 weeks. Your appetite is now unpredictable, and your body sometimes requires unusual and unusual foods.

However, due to the fact that the baby is actively accumulating subcutaneous fat, he especially needs useful resources.

The baby is able to move around inside the placenta, but is not yet able to open its eyes. At week 21, the baby's growth rate begins to slow down.

However, there is still quite a lot of space for the baby inside the uterus, and he moves there as he pleases. Extra worries about the child’s position there are useless.

He will move and turn over in the womb many more times until it comes to giving birth.

Weight, height and dimensions of the baby

Your child already weighs approximately 300-310 g. His height from the crown to the coccyx is approximately 18 cm. However, starting from this week, we will no longer talk about the parietal-coccygeal length of the embryo, now we will indicate the growth of the fetus from the crown to the heels.

By the way, now this value is about 26-27 cm. At the moment, the baby has already reached half of its height before birth. That is, if the size of the fetus at the twenty-first week of pregnancy is approximately 26 cm, then it will be born with a height of 52 cm.

News of the intrauterine world

Digestive system. A child's digestive system is developing rapidly. The baby has already learned to swallow amniotic fluid, which contains dead skin cells. During digestion, the child absorbs useful substances, and the remains of dead skin, since they are hard, go into the intestines. By the way, we note that alcohol and nicotine are also absorbed by the baby’s body if the mother abuses it. Already now the baby is able to drink about 500 ml of surrounding water per day. This helps increase the amount of nutrients in his body;
Taste preferences are formed. Taste buds begin to appear on the tongue, so the baby becomes able to distinguish tastes. By the way, the taste of amniotic fluid directly depends on the mother’s diet. By eating a varied and balanced diet, you can influence the formation of correct taste preferences in your child;
The immune system. Leukocytes and platelets begin to be produced. The functioning of the immune system is improved. Antibodies are already transferred from the mother to the fetus. They will protect him from infections that his mother suffered during her life. This is called passive immunity;
Endocrine system. All organs of the endocrine system begin to work in the baby - adrenal glands, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, pancreas and parathyroid gland. Their task is to produce hormones necessary for the growth and development of the unborn child;
Vestibular apparatus. Fetal development at 21 weeks of gestation also includes the beginning of the vestibular apparatus, which allows the baby to determine the position of its body in space.

Fetal activity and movements

Sometimes a baby may not sleep at night, but play in his mother’s tummy, thereby preventing his mother from falling asleep. While he has plenty of room for activity, you can already determine in which part of the abdomen he is now frolicking.

If he is really pushing in his tummy, try singing him a song or a lullaby, he will hear you and calm down. Even if you don’t know the gender of your baby yet, just address him kindly and stroke his belly! The baby feels your warmth!

Condition of the expectant mother at 21 weeks

You are still in excellent shape, so unbearable fatigue and shortness of breath when walking up the stairs may not be a problem for you yet. By the 21st week of pregnancy, your initial weight has increased by about 4-6 kg.

The child begins to grow adipose tissue. So try to be especially careful about what you consume. You can discuss the diet menu for pregnant women with your doctor. Take the vitamins prescribed by your doctor, eat cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables. This all contributes to the proper development of the baby, and also helps the body cope with the load placed on it during this wonderful period.

After all, carrying a healthy baby is a difficult test for every mother.

Symptoms and features of pregnancy

Associated symptoms at 21 weeks of pregnancy may be as follows:

Breast enlargement and the appearance of colostrum. During pregnancy, the breasts become slightly larger in preparation for the upcoming lactation period. The nipples stand out even more and become sensitive. Gaining more than normal weight can lead to stretch marks on your chest in the future. For most pregnant women, at the 21st week of pregnancy, small drops of colostrum may begin to be released from the nipples when pressed. Colostrum is a yellowish, thick liquid that is the prototype of breast milk. The release of colostrum can begin either at 20-22 weeks or immediately before birth. In both cases, this is not considered a pathology. If there is heavy discharge, you can put breast pads or special napkins in your bra or underwear to prevent the discharge from staining your underwear and clothes;
Increase in the size of the uterus. What happens to the uterus at 21 weeks of pregnancy? The uterus is already located approximately 1 cm above the navel, and the height of its bottom from the pubis reaches approximately 21 cm;
Discharge. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy should not be much different from normal. They can only become a little more abundant (this is due to the effect of the hormone progesterone on the mucous membrane). Normal discharge from a healthy woman during pregnancy is translucent or gray-white with a sour odor. If you notice flaky, purulent, cheesy, or strong-smelling discharge, this may indicate a pathology. Watery or bloody discharge accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back can lead to miscarriage! Call an ambulance as quickly as possible to avoid harm to the baby;
Increased hair and nail growth. Due to hormonal changes occurring in a woman’s body, hair and nails may begin to grow faster. The most unpleasant thing about this is that hairs often grow especially actively in undesirable places.

Anxiety and well-being of a pregnant woman

Typically, the twenty-first obstetric week of pregnancy is considered a quiet period. However, all kinds of pain can make it more difficult for a woman to cope with it. Barely noticeable pain in the uterus may be Braxton Hicks contractions, but don't worry, they pose no threat to the baby or you. Want something interesting?

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A pregnant woman may also be concerned about:

Heartburn. Some expectant mothers may experience discomfort from heartburn. The reason for its appearance is that the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the stomach. It lifts the stomach upward, which leads to the reflux of acidic contents into the esophagus, thereby causing discomfort. To avoid it, experts advise not to eat fried, sour, pickled and smoked foods. You should also avoid sour fruits and drinks, and carbonated water. It is advisable not to bend over immediately after eating. Before going to bed, to save yourself from heartburn, you can put another pillow under your head. If relief does not occur, be sure to tell your doctor;
Dyspnea. The uterus, constantly increasing in size and volume, begins to compress the internal organs, lifting the diaphragm. Therefore, a pregnant woman may periodically experience shortness of breath. To cope with this unpleasant feeling, doctors recommend starting to master breathing techniques. The ability to breathe correctly will be very useful, especially during childbirth;
Constipation and bloating. Bloating and constipation often accompany a woman throughout pregnancy. This happens because almost all of a woman’s internal organs are under pressure from the weight of the uterus and child. To get rid of constipation, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits that contain fiber;
Painful sensations. At this time, sitting for a long time in one position can be fraught with pain in the back and lower back. To get rid of them, you can try simply changing your position. Learn to listen to your body and relax. Excess weight during pregnancy can cause pain in your leg joints, back, and muscles. Under pressure from the uterus, pain and discomfort may appear in the navel area. But if there is a cramping pain or a pronounced stretching pain in the lumbar region, then this should not be ignored! To promptly diagnose increased uterine tone, consult a doctor as soon as possible;
Sleep disorders. Firstly, a fetus at 21 weeks of gestation may interfere with sleep at night due to excessive activity in the tummy. Secondly, the lack of proper sleep may be due to strong pressure from the uterus on the bladder. That is why the expectant mother has to wake up many times during the night to go to the toilet. Thirdly, due to changes in the size of your tummy, it is not easy to immediately get used to sleeping on your side (especially if you previously preferred to sleep on your stomach or back). Therefore, you need to choose the optimal comfortable sleeping position for yourself. Several pillows, or special pillows for pregnant women, can help with this. A bagel-shaped pillow is a very good thing: it is comfortable to sleep with during pregnancy, and after childbirth it can be used to feed the baby. And don’t forget to ventilate the room before going to bed and during the day.

Your rapidly growing belly

When the belly begins to grow, many expectant mothers feel that the skin on their sides begins to itch. This is a sure sign of stretching. Using a moisturizer or lotion can help relieve symptoms. There are also special creams for pregnant women against stretch marks on the body.

Photos of bellies at the twenty-first week:

Tests and ultrasound at 21 weeks

No special medical examinations will be required at this time. Your gynecologist can only give you directions for a urine test and a general blood test.

An ultrasound scan at the twenty-first week of pregnancy is prescribed by the doctor you are seeing.

You will finally be able to see your baby and, if he allows you, consider whose birth you can expect soon - an heir or an heiress.

In addition, you can already agree with the doctor and take the first photo of the baby, revealing the chronicle of his life, as, for example, the mothers of these little ones did:

What dangers should you watch out for?

Premature labor can often begin at this stage. It is important for every expectant mother to know the accompanying symptoms in order to be able to behave correctly in such a situation. Signs of premature birth:

bloody discharge from the genital tract;
severe pain when urinating;
acute or continuous vomiting;
frequent loose stools;
sudden leakage of copious watery fluid from the vagina;
severe pain in the lower back;
sharp or lingering pain in the back or lower abdomen.

Useful recommendations for expectant mothers

The female body is unique in nature, so all physical sensations in the twenty-first week of pregnancy are also unique.

Hormonal changes continue during this period, and completely new sensations are added to them; a sharp change in mood is observed.

Our helpful tips this week are:

Don't worry if you gain a little more weight than normal. But still try to watch your appetite, eat less flour and forget about the existence of semi-finished products and fast food;
To take a little break and relax, you can write a list of things you need to care for your newborn. Start taking a closer look at the assortment of socks, caps, and rompers. This is great inspiration!;
Sports activities are welcome. If sport occupied an honorable place in your life even before conceiving a child, then you can reduce the load and continue to exercise. But consultation with your doctor and instructor is required! And if the desire to play sports appeared after conception, then it would be best to start with light stretching exercises and strengthening the back muscles. You can choose for yourself, for example, yoga for pregnant women, fitness or visiting the pool;
You can already get in line to attend special courses for pregnant women!;
Extract as many positive emotions as possible from everything that happens in your life. You now have increased sensitivity, so worries and stress are completely unnecessary. Have more fun and walk in the fresh air more often! Don't be afraid to pamper yourself!

More positive! Appreciate every new day, because it brings you closer to a long-awaited event - the birth of a baby!

This material is for informational purposes only; before using the information presented, you must consult with a specialist .

Source: https://uplady.ru/materinstvo/kalendar-beremennosti/21-dvadcat-pervaya-nedelya-razvitie-sheveleniya-aktivnost-ploda.html