21 Weeks Pregnant

Many pregnant women report stretch marks during week 21. If you haven’t noticed any on your body, then it’s time to gear up on some coconut butter or another collagen-enriched moisturizer to help prevent them. When you're 21 weeks pregnant,your baby is growing very fast, and he’s already the size of a grapefruit. The bad news? From this week and until birth, you will keep gaining weight as your baby — and belly — grows. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about week 21 of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 21 Weeks

Pregnancy Symptoms at 21 weeks

What to Expect:

What to expect at 21 weeks pregnant? Well, it comes with comfort and a sense of well-being for most mommies-to-be. Morning sickness (with its nausea and vomiting) and mood swings are no longer bothering you at this point. Relax and enjoy your good time while you can — the third trimester is known for bringing along a myriad of bothersome symptoms, plus severe belly pain!

• During week 21, your back is probably hurting — that’s because it works harder to keep your growing belly straight up.

• A common symptom that many pregnancy women experience this week is an increase of oil production, which often leads to the development or worsening of acne.

• You’re also very prone to varicose veins right now due to the increasing pressure in the veins in your legs. Women with high progesterone levels will likely experience a worsening of varicose veins. The so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin) are also quite common at this stage.

• Does your vulva feel wet and tacky? Much to your dismay, leucorrhea is perfectly normal throughout the course of pregnancy — and as weeks pass, your body keeps expelling more of it to protect your vagina against pathogens. Opt for wearing sanitary pads if it’s making you feel uncomfortable, and be sure to mention it to your doctor and midwife.

Your Baby at 21 Weeks

How big is a baby at 21 weeks? Your baby size is about 10 1/2 inches long and already the size of a grapefruit — that’s quite a growth spurt! Your baby is now starting to gain weight and pile on fat, which will give him that adorable chubby appearance at birth. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully formed — and he can even blink, although his eyes are still fused shut. Even more interesting is that your little one has his own taste buds right now, and if he could eat, he would taste a variety of different flavors!

His skin is still covered with vernix caseosa, that gooey substance that’s made up of lanugo, oil from the baby’s glands, and dead skin cells. If you could peek up inside of your womb, you would see that, instead of transparent, his skin is rather white. As wacky as this might sound, this “varnish” has a protective role that prevents the effects of his little body soaking amniotic fluid. Without it, his skin would look wrinkly — much like yours if you bathed for nine months! During week 21, your baby sleeps about 12-14 hours a day. That’s quite some time, right? Now if only you could get some sleep too...

Ultrasound Images of 21 Week Pregnancy

Bellies at 21 Weeks

Pregnancy Tips

• If stretch marks are beginning to form, talk to your doctor about lotions and creams that are pregnancy-safe. Many oral supplements may be hazardous, so don’t attempt to take anything on your own. Also, be sure to protect your skin against sunlight, otherwise your pregnancy mask will get worse!

• Worried about varicose veins? A few ways to prevent them include exercising daily, sleeping on your left side, wearing maternity support hose, and propping up your feet and legs whenever possible. Also, avoid standing for too long, as this might worsen the problem.