Pregnancy week 21

Filed under Second trimester · Pregnancy Week to Week editorial team

Week 21 of pregnancy ensures a developing digestive system for the fetus. Swallowing amniotic fluid helps strengthen the digestive system and prepare it for milk after birth. The intestines begin to contract and release at this point. No longer than 7 inches and about 10 ounces, the baby’s nervous system and organs are continually developing. It is also putting on layers of fat over it’s newly hardened bones. Once the digestive system becomes active, hiccups are a prominent part of the fetus’s life inside the womb. Although some babies hiccup more than others, hiccups are completely natural and normal. Although the baby can still move about freely during week 21, soon it will settle itself into a head down position and stay that way until birth. The baby also engages in a regular sleeping cycle much like the one it will have after birth.

To prevent leg pain during this week and throughout the rest of the pregnancy, maternity support hose are a great idea. They ill also keep down swelling and help prevent varicose veins by encouraging blood circulation throughout the legs. Although not as comfortable as before, week 21 is still a mobile time for pregnant women. Stretching and regular exercise can help alleviate minor discomforts due to pain during pregnancy. Week 21 symptoms include breast changes, recurrent urination, constipation, heartburn, headaches, stretch marks, itching, and round ligament pains.

Although more emotionally stable than before, post delivery emotions can vary greatly from mother to mother. Referred to as “the baby blues,” many mothers feel anxiety and restlessness after delivery. They might feel depressed and tired. These symptoms are normal and should pass within a few days of delivery. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, an even more dangerous condition called Post Partum Depression might ensue. PPD can lead to thoughts of suicide and the inability of a mother to take care of the newborn child. If this occurs, it is important to keep in mind that treatment does exist and will help. Women prone to PPD include women who are coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, single mothers, families with financial troubles, women experiencing stress or loss, and women with a background of depression.

Current guidance (today's medical sources): By week twenty-one the baby is gaining weight steadily and developing taste buds, tasting flavours in the amniotic fluid. Movements often feel stronger and more frequent. Mild swelling of the feet and ankles can begin; sudden or severe swelling, especially with headache or vision changes, should be reported to a provider.

Sources: NHS — 21 weeks pregnant; Mayo Clinic — Fetal development: The 2nd trimester; ACOG — Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy. Informational only. See our sources & medical-review policy.

Informational only — not medical advice. Pregnancy Week to Week is a general educational reference. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Every pregnancy is different: always consult your doctor, midwife, or other qualified healthcare provider about your own pregnancy, and never disregard or delay professional advice because of something you read here. In an emergency, contact your maternity unit or local emergency number immediately.