21st week of pregnancy. Your child swallows amniotic fluid daily. Not only for hydration, but also for practicing swallowing and digestion, important skills that he will need after birth. When the pancreas begins to produce enzymes that help break down food for digestion, the small intestine lengthens and absorbs nutrients from the amniotic fluid.

The taste of amniotic fluid depends on what you just ate. And since the baby already knows these tastes, his taste preferences are gradually increasing. Up to this point, most of the red blood cells formed the baby's liver.

The arms and legs have finally reached the right proportions, the cartilage throughout the body is turning into bones, and the neurons are now better connecting the brain and muscles. All these improvements will help your baby to better control the movements of his limbs. This explains why you can now feel him "kicking."".


[h3]21 weeks of pregnancy: fetal weight and size[/h3]
The size of the fetus from head to toe is about 25 centimeters. Currently, the fruit weighs about 360 grams. His head is starting to adjust to the rest of his body, but it still makes up one third of his body.

[h3]What awaits moms at 21 weeks of pregnancy?[/h3]

Not only this week, but also in the second trimester as a whole, you can experience a huge appetite. If you want to eat more sweets, try eating fruits instead of cookies.
Your body also begins to retain more water, which usually manifests as swelling in your arms and around your ankles.

During this period, constipation occurs more often due to high progesterone levels and increased uterine pressure on the intestines, the gas may have nowhere to go, so you may feel bloating. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber can relieve constipation.

Due to the increased levels of hormones circulating in the blood, your skin can become very oily, which will lead to the development or exacerbation of acne. The growing uterus, in turn, can compress the veins in the pelvic area. This can lead to varicose veins in the legs and other parts of the body, such as the rectum, which can lead to hemorrhoids.

Advice for moms: if you have already passed the 2nd ultrasound and everything was fine, do not worry if you still do not feel the baby moving. It may take you longer to notice them, especially during your first pregnancy.

[h2]How much does the belly increase during the 21st week of pregnancy?
[/h2]
Together with the baby, the uterus and abdomen grow by about a centimeter every week, and at the 21st week of pregnancy, the weight gain is about 6 kg.

In the second trimester, it is useful to gain about half a kilogram per week, but each woman's body is different. If you feel that you are not gaining enough weight or vice versa, talk to your doctor.


[h3] How to take care of yourself?[/h3]

Even this week, continue to take care of your health on a weekly basis by eating right, exercising regularly, staying in touch with friends and family, spending time with your partner, and participating in activities that you enjoy and are safe.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent swelling, which can prevent you from putting on your favorite shoes or make it difficult to remove rings. The following points also help against edema:

- Elastic or compression stockings
- Frequent change of posture (especially if you stand for a long time, you need to sit down or lie down)
- When you are sitting, raise your legs
-Move regularly to stimulate blood circulation
-Also include swimming in your daily routine, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Wear comfortable shoes without heels. Get inspired by our contemporary apartment design styles.