In this article you will be able to read about everything related to your pregnancy in week 21. You'll find information about the baby's development, how the mother's body is changing and tips you might need along the way. When you are 21 weeks pregnant, the fetus is the size of an artichoke.
Baby: The fetus trains its lungs
Your baby is now about 26 cm and weighs around 400 grams! This week, he or she is also 50 % ready to be baked, with only half the time left!
Weight and growth
During the first half of pregnancy, all fetuses grow at a relatively uniform rate. From week 21 onwards, however, they start to grow at a more individual pace, and you can see greater differences in different measurements.
The size of the fetus is influenced by genes, the size of the placenta that transports and filters nutrients, the flow of nutrients in the umbilical cord vessels and, last but not least, the growth of each individual is unique. Development and size can also differ depending on whether you are at the beginning or end of a pregnancy. A lot can happen in seven days!
Developments in week 21
The senses continue to develop and the baby remains active in the tummy and moves a lot. Movements are becoming more advanced and the baby can now even do forward and backward rolls!
The sweat glands are already fully developed, but even though the fetus is moving around a lot, it will not start sweating until after birth. In addition to eyelids, the baby now has eyelashes and its eyes can respond to light. However, the baby has not yet started to open its eyes. Around week 25, many babies are known to open and close their eyelids in the womb.
Around week 20, the skin is covered with a thin layer of sebum mixed with dead skin cells, as well as hairs that protect the sensitive skin from being affected by the amniotic fluid.
Amniotic fluid
The volume of amniotic fluid is now around 400 ml. When the fetus is in the womb, it does not need to use its lungs to oxygenate the blood, but it exercises its lungs through the muscles of the chest, which practice breathing movements. The baby drinks amniotic fluid, which is then absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. The kidneys then produce urine, which the baby urinates. In this way, the amount of amniotic fluid is influenced by the fetus itself! The placenta and amniotic membranes are also part of the process of amniotic fluid formation. However, the amniotic membranes are most involved during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Mom: Pregnant in week 21
You are halfway through your pregnancy journey! 20 weeks to go.
Uterus and stomach growth
The uterus continues to grow and now reaches up to a few centimeters below or around the navel. In some women, the belly button may start to protrude around this time, but it may take a while, just as the size of the belly varies. If it doesn't show much yet, it will certainly start to do so in the next few weeks, as the fetus is going through a major growth period.
The outward visibility of pregnancy is influenced by several factors. These include whether your uterus is tilted forward or more backward, how long or short your torso is, and how strong your abdominal muscles are. So there can be a big difference in how much your stomach shows depending on how your body is built! Therefore, it is good to remember not to compare your pregnancy with others during your pregnancy journey.
Blood volume and iron
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body increases and you may need to replenish your iron stores with supplements. Iron is a substance that produces the red blood cell hemoglobin, which in turn transports oxygen around the blood. This is why iron is so important for both you and your baby! Your blood count (hemoglobin) will be monitored by your midwife at several points during your pregnancy.
How to get iron in your body
If you need to get more iron, your midwife will tell you. As the fetus cannot produce its own iron, but consumes your stores as well as what you supplement, it is common to take iron supplements during pregnancy. Even if you have a good baseline iron level, you may need to supplement.
You can also eat a diet rich in iron, including meat, poultry, fish and eggs. If you are a vegetarian, you can get iron from wholegrain products, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, spinach, green leafy vegetables and legumes.
Combine an iron-rich diet with vitamin C, as it improves iron absorption, whereas some foods, such as caffeine, can inhibit it. Vitamin C is found in the majority of colorful fruits and vegetables such as kiwi, orange, strawberries, peppers, broccoli and kale.
Certificate of maternity
If you have not already received a maternity certificate, you will receive it from the midwife around this time. You should send the maternity certificate to Försäkringskassan - you can find out where to post it on their website.
The maternity certificate is the first step in planning parental leave. Once you have submitted the maternity certificate, Försäkringskassan will receive information about the pregnancy and can allocate parental days under the parental insurance scheme, so that you or you can plan how you want to take them. If you find the rules complicated, there is a lot of help and information available on their website. If you find it more comfortable to listen instead of reading yourself, there are also various webinars.
Fetal movements
Around week 20, many pregnant women feel irregular fetal movements, but this can last longer if, for example, your placenta is in the front wall. This is because it acts as a cushioning pillow.
The way the fetal movements are felt during this and the following weeks is very individual and it is not unusual that it is only later that you realize that it was the baby's movements you felt. The sensation can sometimes be likened to a sweeping or vibration that could just as easily be air in the intestines. However, it is very likely that it is movements from the baby that you feel and if so, it will become clearer in the coming weeks.
Here you can read about week 20.
You can read about week 22 here.
