21 Weeks Pregnant
Hey there, moms and dads-to-be! Welcome to Week 21! As you progress through your pregnancy, so much is changing, but some things do remain constant. For me, one constant annoyance has been spider and varicose veins. During my previous pregnancies, I developed these veins yet they were not so painful. During recent days, especially during the late afternoon, I have barely been able to stand up due to the pressure from these veins. Which pregnancy symptom has been your kryptonite? Let’s think positive, shall we, and dive into the details of your 21st week of pregnancy!
21 Weeks Pregnant: Recurring Symptoms
21 Weeks Pregnant: Common Symptoms
Nail Growth
Have you noticed that your nails are growing faster recently? More nutrients are making their way to your nails due to increased blood flow, allowing them to grow faster and stronger. Nail and hair growth acceleration during pregnancy is common, so don’t fret if you have to make more frequent trips to the nail or beauty salon.
Frida Mom Pregnancy Skincare Body Relief Set for Stretch Marks, Dry Skin, Swelling & Chafing - 4 count
Doctor Butler's Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment – Hemorrhoid Treatment with Phenylephrine HCI and Lidocaine for Fast Acting Relief of Swelling, Discomfort, and Itching in one Hemorrhoid Cream (1 oz.)
TriLASTIN Maternity Stretch Mark Cream (4oz) | Hypoallergenic and Paraben-Free | Stretch Mark Cream for Pregnancy | Skincare Gifts for Moms | Stretch Marks Cream
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Pregnancy Skin Care Kit for Stretch Marks and Scars, Dermatologist Approved, Gift for Mom to Be, 4 Piece Full Size Set
The Honest Company Mama Body Butter + Body Oil Bump Love Bundle, 8.2 Oz.
Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women & Prebiotics, 50 Billion CFU for Women’s Daily Digestive Vaginal & Immune Health, Garden of Life 16 Probiotic Strains Shelf Stable No Gluten Dairy Soy, 30 Capsules
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum - 62x more effective than Vitamin C (Serum)
3 in 1 Postpartum Belly Support Recovery Wrap – Postpartum Belly Band, After Birth Brace, Slimming Girdles, Body Shaper Waist Shapewear, Post Surgery Pregnancy Belly Support Band (Midnight Black, M/L)
Body Oil, Burt's Bees Mama Hydrating & Smoothing Skin Care with Vitamin E, 100% Natural, 4 Ounce
Stages of Fetal Development: Baby Growth & Size at 21 Weeks
At week 21, your baby weighs 11.5 ounces and is 10.5 inches long, about the size of a pomegranate. Wow! Did your baby just have a massive growth spurt? This huge leap from approximately 6.5 inches to 10.5 inches is not solely due to an increase in size. It also ensues from a new way of measuring your baby’s length. In previous weeks, your baby was measured from the top of the head (the crown) to their bottom, since measuring to the feet is difficult (your baby has been in the fetal position). Beginning this week, your baby will be measured from the top of their head to their heels.
Your baby is getting tons of rest — up to 14 hours a day. That’s about as much as they’ll be sleeping after their birth. I, for one, wish I could sleep that long. Your baby’s waking moments will be spent using their new muscles to kick and stretch. As the weeks progress, these movements will get stronger (thanks to stronger bones and muscles), so most women at this point begin to feel their baby’s movements more consistently. I personally am not feeling my baby kick much; and the amount of kicks I’m noticing mirrors what I observed during prior pregnancies. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns. At this stage, your baby’s bone marrow also begins making red blood cells along with the liver and spleen.
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Fun Fact About Pregnancy The gestation period of a hippo is shorter than that of a human — only 8 months! |
My Pregnant Belly Progression
Check out my 5 months pregnant belly! How’s your bump at at 21 weeks? Just as I expected, my belly growth is picking up speed now that I’m a bit later into my pregnancy.
Varicose Vein Treatment While Pregnant
My legs and inner thighs throb right now due to varicose veins. The pain is so intense that it actually hurts to stand still (walking is less painful, since I’m moving), especially in the late afternoon. The pain has been messing with my sleep. Let me know in the comments if you’re going through the same. The good news is that there are some easy methods you can employ to help reduce the pain. Below is a list of methods I’ve found to be helpful in reducing the swelling, pain, and less than pretty look of my varicose veins.
Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows, U Shaped Full Body Maternity Pillow with Removable Cover - Support for Back, Legs, Belly, Hips for Pregnant Women, 57 Inch Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping, Grey
Kindred Bravely Maternity Compression Socks 2-Pack | 20-30 mmHg Compression Socks for Pregnancy (Pink & Grey Heather)
Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Pillow, U,C,L, and I Shaped Full Body Maternity Pillow for Comfortable Sleep, Support for Belly, Hips + Legs, Cooling for Pregnant Women, Grey
Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillows, U-Shape Full Body Polyester Pillow - Cooling Cover Dark Grey - Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping - Body Pillows for Adults, Maternity Pillow and Pregnancy Must Haves
Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillows, U Shaped Full Body Pillow for Pregnancy 55 Inch Maternity Pillow for Pregnant Women, Pregnancy Must Haves Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping with Removable Cover
QUEEN ROSE Pregnancy Pillows, U Shaped Full Body Pillow for Sleeping Support, 55 Inch Maternity Pillow for Pregnant Women with Removable Velvet Cover, Grey
Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows for Side Sleeping, J Shaped Maternity Body Pillow for Pregnancy, Soft Pregnancy Pillow with Jersey Cover for Head Neck Belly Support, Grey
Kindred Bravely Labor and Delivery Inspirational Fun Non Skid Push Socks for Maternity -"Rub My Feet"
Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillows, C Shaped Full Body Pillow for Adults– Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping – Maternity Pillow with Support for Back, Legs, Belly and Hips – Grey Jersey Cotton Removable Cover
Instant HEPA Quiet Air Purifier, From the Makers of Instant Pot with Plasma Ion Technology for Rooms up to 1,940ft2, removes 99% of Dust, Smoke, Odors, Pollen & Pet Hair, for Bedrooms, Offices, Pearl
Your Pregnancy at 21 Weeks: Prenatal Appointments
Here are the prenatal tests that are available at 21 weeks of pregnancy:
Cell-Free DNA Screening (cfDNA)
Cordocentesis
Second Trimester Quadruple Screening (Quad Screen)
The Mid-Pregnancy Ultrasound
This week I had my mid-pregnancy ultrasound. This exam usually takes place at 20 weeks but I had mine at 21 weeks. During the scan, the doctor encouraged the baby to move around by gently putting pressure on my abdomen. She measured the baby and examined their spine, liver, brain, heart, hands, and feet. She also shot some 3D photos. During the ultrasound, I marveled at the definition of the in utero photos, which were more high res and complex than what I witnessed with my last baby ten years ago. Check out this week’s video for photos of my little one.
Week by Week Pregnancy Food Guide
For a comprehensive list of what to eat and not eat while pregnant, refer to Week 4 and Week 5. Also, check back in each week for a healthy pregnancy food recipe.
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Quick, Healthy Meal Caprese Salad: cut up a roma tomato and combine with 1 oz of mozzarella and 2 ½ leaves of chopped, fresh basil. Mix in one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. (snacknation) Folic Acid Folic Acid is one of the most essential pregnancy vitamins that your baby needs. Folic acid is vital in helping ensure the correct formation of your baby’s neural tube. To get lots of folic acid in your diet (besides taking a prenatal vitamin), aim to eat these foods regularly: legumes, beets, eggs, asparagus, and other leafy greens. |
Ritual Prenatal Vitamin: Folate & Choline for Neural Tube Support, Omega-3 DHA for Fetal Brain Development, Iron, Calcium-Helper D3 & K2, Non-GMO, Citrus Essenced, 30 Day Supply, 60 Vegan Capsules
Eu Natural Glow Prenatal Vitamin for Healthy Pregnancy and Fetal Development – Vitamins with Folic Acid, DHA and 25 Vital Nutrients For Baby's Growth & A Comfortable Pregnancy – 60 Nourishing Capsules
Garden of Life Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin with Vitamin D3, B6, B12, C & Iron, Folate for Energy & Healthy Fetal Development mykind Organics – Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan, 60 Day Supply
Garden of Life Prenatal Vitamin: Folate for Energy & Healthy Fetal Development, Non-constipating Iron, Vitamin C, B6, B12, D3 – mykind Organics – Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan, 90 Day Supply
Pink Stork Total Prenatal Vitamin with DHA & Folate: Doctor-Formulated Prenatal Vitamins, Multivitamin with Iron, Vitamin B6 & B12, Vitamin D, Pregnancy Must Haves, Women-Owned, 60 Vegetarian Caps
Garden of Life Prenatal Gummies Multivitamin with Vitamin D3, B6, B12, C & Folate for Healthy Fetal Development mykind Organics – Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Berry Flavor, 30 Day Supply
One A Day Women's Prenatal 1 Multivitamin, Supplement for Before, During, and Post Pregnancy, Including Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and Omega-3 DHA, 90 Count
Actif Organic Prenatal Vitamin with 25+ Organic Vitamins, 100% Natural, DHA, EPA, Omega 3, and Organic Herbal Blend - Non-GMO, 90 Count
Garden of Life Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin with Vitamin D3, B6, B12, C & Iron, Folate for Energy & Healthy Fetal Development mykind Organics – Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan, 30 Day Supply
Nature Made Prenatal with Folic Acid + DHA, Prenatal Vitamin and Mineral Supplement for Daily Nutritional Support, 90 Softgels, 90 Day Supply
How Many Months Is 21 Weeks?
Months vary in terms of the number of days and weeks, rendering measuring by month imprecise. For this reason, doctors calculate the duration of your pregnancy using weeks. That said, 21 weeks in months means that you are approximately 5 months pregnant.
Week 21 Pregnancy Checklist
- Continue your exercise routine or try a prenatal yoga or pilates class
- Continue writing in your pregnancy journal
- Research and consider taking a glucose challenge test
- Go on a date with your partner!
- Research side snap t-shirts
Resources
- What to Expect & What to Expect When You’re Expecting – 5th Edition (2016)
- The Bump
- Baby List
- Parents.com
- Healthline.com
- WebMD
- The Mama Natural Week to Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth (2017)
- Mayo Clinic’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy – Second Edition (2018)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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