21 Weeks Pregnant

You are now over halfway there, and your emotions are probably more in check now than they have been for quite a few weeks. While the changes during this week for you are limited, your baby is continuing to experience vital growth, both internally and externally. Lungs, heart, and other muscles are all becoming stronger during this week, and will only get stronger in the weeks to come.

Heart & Soul

Your baby now weighs in at between 12 and 14 ounces, and is approximately 11 to 12 inches long. Your baby’s heart is becoming more powerful this week, and you and your partner should be able to hear a detectable heartbeat. Your baby is also very active at this point, and in addition to feeling a lot of movement, you will probably be able to see some punches and kicks as well. As a warning, a majority of your baby’s movements may occur late at night, so be prepared to have your sleep slightly sabotaged. The lungs are also hard at work, as exhibited by your baby’s little twitching movements. These are actually hiccups, which serve to help your baby practice breathing.

Week 21 Higher Ground

You should be feeling relaxed and comfortable, at least in terms of your emotional well being. Physically, you will probably experience some discomfort around your sides, and this is caused by the ligaments stretching to accommodate your growing uterus. You may also notice some swelling around your ankles and feet. This can be alleviated by drinking plenty of water and resting with your feet elevated. Lastly, if you find your baby is restless a lot of the time, you can talk to the baby and rub your stomach. This should calm your baby and reduce the flurry of activity.

Looking Forward In Your Pregnancy

In the weeks to come, your body (along with your hormones) will continue to undergo changes as your baby’s development progresses. You may start experiencing back pain (if you haven’t already), and you may find yourself in the mood for sex a lot more often. We will look at these and other topics in the weeks to come, but in the meantime continue eating right and exercising. Your baby is growing fast, and it’s your job to keep up your end of the bargain!