Pregnancy week twenty-one is an exciting one with rapid growth! Your baby is preparing for life outside your womb, developing breathing and sucking skills. As your baby grows and develops, you might feel tired and experience pains in your growing pregnant belly.
But what else happens at twenty-one weeks pregnant? Our complete guide has the answers for you, exploring what happens at twenty-one weeks pregnant, including common symptoms and what an ultrasound will show.
What’s Coming Up In The Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnancy At 21 Weeks?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- Your baby is the size of an endive at twenty-one weeks
- Your baby is developing quickly, learning to suck and breathe
- Your baby is continuing to develop blood cells
- Your common pregnancy symptoms include stretch marks, tiredness, and swollen or bleeding gums
- Your mid-trimester ultrasound might happen this week if it hasn’t already
- Your baby bump will grow, and gaining more weight is common this week
What Does It Mean To Be 21 Weeks Pregnant?
At twenty-one weeks pregnant, you are entering a time of rapid growth! Your baby is getting ready to live outside the womb, developing the essential skills it needs, like sucking and wallowing. Your baby’s brain is working hard, developing breathing skills that they need once they are born.
Your baby’s development is progressing well! Your baby’s taste buds are developing and can discern flavours and smells. Your baby now has enough bone marrow to help with cell formation for blood cells, too! Your baby is growing and roughly the size of a banana.
This means your pregnant belly is growing too! Your growing uterus needs more room, as it pushes up and out, your organs will have less space than normal. You might feel breathless, especially when lying on your back, changing your position will help to relieve this.
At twenty-one weeks pregnant, you will have your mid-trimester ultrasound if you have not already had it. This will allow you to see your baby again, hear their heartbeat, and maybe find out the sex!
Can You Detect Pregnancy At 21 Weeks?
You can detect pregnancy at twenty-one weeks pregnant. Home pregnancy tests can be a little unreliable here, though. Home pregnancy tests measure the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)levels in your urine. hCG, one of your pregnancy hormones, increases rapidly in the first few months of pregnancy before declining. As your levels fall, it can be harder for tests to recognise them, giving you a false negative result.
To avoid this, it is best to see your doctor to confirm a pregnancy. They can use a blood test to confirm by measuring hCG levels, but if yours are low, an ultrasound will be administered. This will show you your baby, date the pregnant, and check that your baby is developing correctly.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You should get an ultrasound at twenty-one weeks pregnant if you have not had your mid-trimester ukltrasund yet. This ultrasound will check your abby’s development and for any conditions or complications that could cause problems for birth and your baby’s life. You cannot see everything in this ultrasound, but it allows your sonographer to look for most issues.
Your baby will be measured, and you will see they are looking more like a baby everyday! They might be moving a lot, you might see your baby’s arms flailing or them turning, so allow plenty of time for the ultrasound as your baby needs to be still for the sonographer to get a good look.
Depending on your baby’s position, you might be able to confirm your baby’s sex too. Tell your sonographer beforehand if you do not want to know the sex.
Are There Any Other Scans Or Tests I Should Consider At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You will be offered several screening tests during your second trimester; some might be performed at twenty one weeks. They include:
- A glucose screening for gestational diabetes
- A multiple market test for neural tube defects
- An amniocentesis to check the amniotic fluid for chromosomal disorders
- A percutaneous umbilical blood sampling to check the umbilical cord for disorders
You might have already been offered these, along with other genetic screening tests. Genetic screening tests will look for hereditary conditions like fragile X syndrome, thyroid disease, and Tay-Sachs disease. You do not have to have these genetic screening tests if you do not want to. They are usually offered to women whose medical history suggests they might be a carrier of these conditions.
Your docotor can provide you with more guidance and advice about these tests. You will also be offered a whooping cough and COVID-19 vaccine between now and week thirty-two of pregnancy. toprotect
Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You can detect a heartbeat at twenty-one weeks pregnant. The heartbeat can be heard in your mid-trimester ultrasound, or a Doppler machine can be used. A Doppler looks like a small microphone that can detect your baby’s heartbeat through your stomach. A midwife typically uses these in between your ultrasounds to monitor your baby’s heart.
You can also purchase home Doppler machines, but they can be tricky to master, especially if your baby is moving a lot, so don’t panic if you can’t hear their heartbeat.
At twenty one weeks, your baby’s heart is beating fast, with an average of 110 to 160 beats per minute!
What Are The Common Pregnancy Symptoms At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
At twenty-one weeks pregnant, the common symptoms include tirendess and trouble sleeping, stretch marks, swollen and bleeding gums, and pains on the side of your baby bump.
These pains, known as round ligament pains, are caused by your expanding uterus and are not a cause for concern.
These symptoms are likely to change in severity daily, differing from woman to woman too. Speak to your doctor or midwife if you are struggling to manage the symptoms of pregnancy.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels fall at twenty-one weeks pregnant, averaging between 1,400 and 53,000 u/L.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Cramping is normal at twenty-one weeks pregnant. You might experience round ligament pains on the side of your stomach, or leg cramps. Leg cramps can be prevented by exercising regularly.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Morning sickness usually happens during the first trimester, but you can experience it in your second trimester too.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Your breasts will likely feel tender or sore at twenty-one weeks pregnant. They might also ache or feel full. They might also start to leak as your milk comes in.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Food cravings can happen at any point in pregnancy, including week twenty-one. You might notice some odd cravings or aversions to foods you once loved.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You might urinate more frequently at twenty-one weeks pregnant, but it won’t be as bad as earlier in your pregnancy. Your womb has moved up your body, relieving some of the pressure that was on your bladder, causing you to urinate more frequently.
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Tiredness or fatigue is common at twenty-one weeks pregnant. You can make some changes to the way you sleep, including adding extra pillows or meditation to help you get a good night’s rest.
Will I Feel Bloated At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Bloating is common in pregnancy, including week twenty-one. Eating smaller meals throughout the day and avoiding eating late at night can help ease bloating.
Will I Get A Headache At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Headaches are common at twenty-one weeks pregnant. These headaches can range in severity, with women who suffered from headaches before pregnancy experiencing more headaches during pregnancy than others.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
A metallic taste in your mouth is more common in the first trimester of pregnancy, but it can happen at any point, including twenty-one weeks pregnant.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell is common during the first trimester of pregnancy, but it can happen in the second trimester, including at twenty-one weeks.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath or feeling breathless can happen at twenty-one weeks pregnant. As your uterus grows, organs like your lungs are left with less space, leaving you feeling breathless, especially when lying on your back.
Speak to your doctor if you are concerned about the shortness of breath during your pregnancy.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Diarrhea can happen at twenty-one weeks pregnant and is normal. However, it is often unrelated to pregnancy and could be caused by a stomach bug, allergy, or food poisoning.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Vaginal discharge can happen throughout pregnancy, including at twenty-one weeks. The discharge should be white or milky with no strong odour.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Lower back pain can happen at twenty-one weeks pregnant. Your ligaments will stretch and soften throughout pregnancy, putting a strain on your lower back and pelvis.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings typically happen in the first trimester of pregnancy, but you can experience them during your twenty-first week of pregnancy. Mood swings are largely attributed to your fluctuating hormone levels during pregnancy.
Is Spotting Normal At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting can happen at twenty-one weeks pregnant and is completely normal. Monitor the spotting and speak to your doctor if the spotting continues for more than twenty-four hours, becomes heavier, or other symptoms develop, like stomach cramps.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Other common symptoms during pregnancy include the following:
- Nosebleeds
- Backache
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Swollen feet and hands
- Raised basal temperature (feeling hot)
- Urine infections
- Vaginal infections
- Brown patches or darkened skin on your face
- Thicker and shinier hair
- Spotty and oily skin
How Big Is A Baby At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
At twenty-one weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a carrot. Your baby measures roughly 26.7cm from head to toe and is heavier than the placenta!
Your baby is continuing to develop their lanugo, a thin coat of hair that keeps your baby warm in the womb. They are developing eyebrows and hair. They can also hear voices and noises outside of the womb! You can start talking and singing to your baby, getting them used to the sound of your voice.
Can You Feel The Baby At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
Many women can feel fetal movements at twenty-one weeks pregnant. The first movements of your baby are usually felt between eighteen and twenty-two weeks pregnant. These movements will feel like flutterings or bubbling and won’t be overly strong.
Don’t panic if you can’t feel anything yet, you might have your first movements next week! Try to sit completely still after eating to see if you can feel any movements. Over the coming weeks, your baby’s movements will get stronger, and you will soon feel every punch and kick!
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Miscarriage At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
At twenty-one weeks pregnant include bleeding and cramps. The bleeding might start light and quickly become heavy, while your cramps might feel like period pains or contractions. Some women also experience backache, and any pregnancy symptoms stop.
At this stage, a miscarriage is considered a stillbirth in Australia. It cannot be stopped and you will have to deliver the baby. You can have labour medically induced at hospital, or sometimes you will be allowed to wait for labour to start naturally at home.
Your doctor can discuss both options with you and provide you with support afterwards, too. Speak to your doctor as soon as you notice any miscarriage symptoms.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
The chance of stillbirth at twenty-one weeks is low, with the rate of stillbirths in Australia sitting at 10.1 per 1,000 births. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that babies born before twenty-eight weeks gestation made up just 1% of the babies born in Australia, giving you a low chance of stillbirth.
There are factors that increase your risk of stillbirth, like smoking, pregnancy complications, age, and weight. Your doctor can talk you through how these factors might affect you and provide you with any guidance or support that you need.
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
The following precautions can be taken to maintain your health at twenty-one weeks pregnant.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
You should start taking prenatal vitamins once you discover you are pregnant and continue taking them throughout your pregnancy. You can take a pregnancy multivitamin, but check the dosage to ensure it has all the nutrients you need.
Look for a multivitamin with high levels of iron and vitamin D if you are pregnant throughout the winter. Your doctor can offer you guidance on what prenatal vitamin you should take.
Eat A Balanced Diet
You should also eat a healthy and balanced diet throughout your pregnancy. This will provide you and your baby with the nutrients you need, maintaining your health through pregnancy. A diet of lean protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables is best to ensure you and your baby get the nutrients you need.
Your doctor can help you create a diet plan to follow if needed.
Stay Hydrated
You should also drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout your pregnancy. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) found that drinking water helps to aid digestion, for the amniotic fluid around your baby, and circulate nutrients through your body.
They recommend drinking eight to twelve glasses daily during pregnancy.
Stop Smoking
You should stop smoking as soon as you discover you are pregnant. Smoking during pregnancy can double your risk of abnormal bleeding during delivery and pregnancy. It also increases the risk of your baby being born with birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
You can speak to your doctor if you need support to quit smoking.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
At twenty-one weeks pregnant, the following foods should be avoided.
- Raw juices and smoothies
- Highly processed foods
- Soft cheeses
- Unpasteurised dairy and dairy products
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Raw sprouts
- Organ meat
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Deli or processed meat
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw or undercooked fish
- Seafood with high mercury content
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
All alcoholic drinks should be avoided at twenty-one weeks pregnant. Consuming alcohol while pregnant can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). These include learning difficulties, behavioural problems, and vision or hearing problems, research by the CDC found. They found there is no safe recommended alcohol limit to consume during pregnancy.
You should also limit your caffeine intake during pregnancy. Consuming too much caffeine during pregnancy can cause low birth weight, stillbirth, and preterm birth, according to the Royal College of Midwives. They recommend limiting your caffiene intake to 200mg a day.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid high doses of vitamins A, C, and E during pregnancy as they can harm your baby. You should also avoid any supplements where the label says they are unsuitable for pregnant women to consume.
Speak to your doctor if you are unsure what supplements are safe to take during pregnancy.
Can I Exercise While 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You can exercise at twenty-one weeks pregnant, but there are some adjustments you need to make. You should avoid any contact sports, high impact exercises like aerobics, sports where you could fall, and any at 2,500m above sea level.
You should opt for low impact exercises like walking or swimming that will be gentler on your joints. Pregnant women who ran regularly before pregnancy may continue running if they aren’t experiencing any discomfort. Exercise is encouraged during pregnancy to keep you active and prevent you from going over your target weight gain.
Is It Safe To Travel When 21 Weeks Pregnant?
It is safe to travel at twenty-one weeks pregnant, but you need to take some precautions. Speak to your doctor before flying if you have any pregnancy complications, high blood pressure, or deep vein thrombosis.
Before travelling to another country, check if you need vaccinations or if there are any advisories for pregnant women.
Are There Any Acitivites I Should Avoid At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided at twenty-one weeks pregnant.
- Roller coasters, bumper cars, and water slides
- Motorcycles and four-wheelers
- Contact sports
- Diving
- Downhill skiing
- Gymnastics
- Hot Yoga
- Hot pilates
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 21 Weeks Pregnant?
It is considered safe to have sex at twenty-one weeks pregnant unless you are told otherwise by your doctor or midwife.
How Should I Sleep At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You might find it harder to sleep at twenty-one weeks pregnant, especially if you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms. Adding pillows to increase your support, using a pillow between your legs, and meditation before bed can all help you sleep at twenty-one weeks pregnant.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 21 Weeks Pregnant?
You should sleep on your side at twenty-one weeks pregnant as this is considered the safest sleeping position for you and your baby.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 21 Weeks Pregnant?
The best way to calculate your due date at twenty-one weeks pregnant is to use the date of your last menstrual period. This is the LMP method, one of the most common ways to calculate a due date. Take the first day of your last period and count forward forty weeks or 280 days. This will give you an estimated due date based on the average pregnancy length.
At this stage in your pregnancy, you will have been given a due date by your doctor too. At your first ultrasound, the dating scan, your baby is measured, and its developments are used to calculate how far along your pregnancy is and provide an estimated due date.
These due dates are not exact, so don’t panic if your due date passes you by without a baby!
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 21 Weeks Pregnant?
The biggest body change this week is stretch marks. As your skin stretches, purple and red marks can appear. These should be painless, although some women experience itchy skin when they develop. The marks will fade over time, with cocoa and shea butter being used to reduce their appearance. The marks can make many women self-conscious, but there is no need! These stretchmarks are a reminder that you grew another human; that is pretty impressive!
You might also notice that you feel unsteady on your feet; your centre of gravity has changed, and your joints are looser. Speak to your midwife immediately if you fall, but remember, your baby is well protected! There is no need to panic straight away.
Your symptoms might vary at twenty-one weeks, but most women notice their growing bump, tiredness, and swollen or bleeding gums.
What Is Your Body Doing During This Process?
Your uterus is growing at twenty-one weeks pregnant! You will also look more pregnant than before with your bump rising your body. This leaves less space for organs like your lungs and heart, which can leave some women feeling breathless.
Your body uses a lot of energy to grow your baby, so you might feel more hungry than usual. A balanced and healthy diet should be followed, although you might want to add some healthy snacks between meals to keep the hunger at bay.
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Below are our tips to help you prepare for an upcoming or the remainder of your healthy pregnancy.
Speak To Your Doctor
As your pregnancy progresses, you should speak to your doctor regularly. Regular appointments will help your doctor catch any complications early and give you the advice and support you might need. Your doctor and midwife should make regular appointments with you throughout your pregnancy; speak to them if you have not already have
You should also speak to your doctor if you are planning to have a baby. They can offer guidance and support and run necessary fertility tests.
Make Lifestyle Changes
You might need to make lifestyle changes, including stopping drinking alcohol, smoking, and taking illegal drugs. All of these have a detrimental impact on your health, and your baby’s too. Research by the CDC found that smoking can also impact fertility, making it harder for women to conceive.
Speak to your doctor if you need support to quit smoking or drinking.
Enjoy A Balanced Diet
You should enjoy a healthy diet throughout and in preparation for pregnancy. Fresh fruit, fiber rich foods, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates should be the basis of your diet. There should be plenty of variety to provide your body with the nutrients it needs.
Your doctor can help create a diet plan as you prepare for pregnancy.
Think About Birth
It might seem far away, but your labour and birth will be here soon! Think about your birth plan and what you might like to happen. Consider the following questions:
- Do you want a hospital birth?
- Do you want a natural birth?
- Do you want medical intervention?
- Do you want pain relief? What pain relief?
- Do you want anyone with you?
While your birth plan might change between now and delivery, it’s worth knowing what you want. Speak to your partner and family about your birth plan and consult your midwife if needed. You might not have a lot of choice with your birth plan, especially if your pregnancy has complications, but it’s worth thinking ahead to the birth and delivery.
Create A Support Network
Pregnancy can be lonely, so surround yourself with the right people. Look to your friends, family, and partner to support and guide you through your pregnancy. You can also look further afield, reaching out to other expecting mothers in your area. Social media can be helpful here, connecting you to expecting and new mothers who could become supportive friends!
Final Thoughts
Week twenty-one of pregnancy is exciting as your belly grows and your baby develops quickly! You might feel some movements from your baby and see them again at your ultrasound. While leg cramps and stretch marks can cause issues this week, you are past the halfway point and one week closer to meeting your baby!