Pregnancy Week 21

PREGNANCY WEEK 21

 

The rapid growth phase begins to slow down this week. The heart grows stronger this week, and the legs are reaching their relative proportions. By this week you may have felt the fluttering of your baby moving, though they won’t be strong enough to be felt by your partner for a few weeks.

Your baby can now hear sounds both from inside your body and from the outside world. The sounds he hears are muffled by the amniotic fluid; imagine being submerged in water in a swimming pool with music playing or someone talking. He will recognise your voice and even types of music when he is born.

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can, the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications, some are very hazardous during pregnancy, or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

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