Baby development

The development of the baby at 21 weeks of gestation, which corresponds to 5 months of pregnancy, is marked by the development of all bones, being possible to complete the production of red blood cells and start the production of white blood cells, which are cells responsible for protecting the organism.

At this stage, the uterus has already grown quite large and the belly starts to become more upright, but despite this, some women believe that their belly is small, which is normal because there is a lot of variation in the size of the belly from one woman to another. Normally until the 21st week of gestation, the woman gained about 5 kg.

Development of the fetus at 21 weeks of gestation

Regarding the development of the fetus at 21 weeks of gestation, it can be observed that the small blood vessels carry blood under the skin which is very thin, and therefore the baby's skin is very pink. He still doesn't have a lot of stored fat, as he uses it all as an energy source, but in the coming weeks, some fat will start to be stored, making the skin less transparent.

In addition, the nails start to grow and the baby can itch a lot, but he is unable to fix himself since his skin is protected by a mucous membrane. On ultrasound, the baby's nose may appear quite wide, but this is because the nasal bone has not yet developed, and as soon as it develops, the baby's nose will become thinner and longer.

As the baby still has a lot of space, it can move freely, making it possible to do complete somersaults and change positions several times a day, however, some women may still not feel the baby move, especially if it is the first pregnancy.

The baby swallows the amniotic fluid and it is digested, forming the baby's first feces, sticky, black stools. Meconium is stored in the baby's intestine from 12 weeks until birth, being free of bacteria and therefore does not cause gas in the baby. Learn more about meconium.

If the baby is a girl, after the 21st week, the uterus and vagina are already formed, whereas in the case of boys from that week of gestation, the testicles begin to descend into the scrotum.

At this stage of development, the baby can already hear sounds and recognize the parents' voice, for example. So, you can put some songs on or read to the baby so that he can rest easy, for example.

Photos of the fetus at 21 weeks of gestation

Fetus size at 21 weeks of gestation

The size of the fetus at 21 weeks of gestation is approximately 25 cm, measured from the head to the heel, and its weight is approximately 300 g.

Changes in women at 21 weeks of pregnancy

Changes in women at 21 weeks of pregnancy include memory failures , which are increasingly common, and many women complain about an increase in vaginal discharge, but as long as it has no smell or color, it is not dangerous.

Practicing some type of exercise is recommended to improve blood circulation, avoid swelling, excessive weight gain and to facilitate labor. But not all exercises can be performed during pregnancy, one should always opt for the quieter ones, which have no impact, such as walking, water aerobics, Pilates or some weight training exercises.

As for food, the ideal is to avoid sweets and fatty foods, which do not provide nutrients and tend to accumulate in the form of fat. The amount of food should not be greater than what was eaten before becoming pregnant. The idea that just because you are pregnant, you should eat for 2, is a myth. What is certain is that it is necessary to eat properly, giving preference to foods rich in vitamins because this is very important for the development of the baby.

Your pregnancy by trimester

To make your life easier and you don't waste time looking, we have separated all the information you need for each trimester of pregnancy. What quarter are you in?