21 Weeks! A Handful Of Happiness, A Heartful Of Love 💖

    Just turned 21 weeks pregnant yesterday. I feel like days are going so fast especially at 2nd trimester. Have been feeling stronger baby movements here and there lately, too! Every time, I share this wonderful moment with my two kids and both are always happy and excited to feel their little baby sister. :)

   God willing this Tuesday, 18th of July, I will be having my structural scan. Together, we're all excited to see our precious cutie once again! 

   To share, this scan takes a closer look at the baby and the uterus (womb). The person carrying out the scan (sonographer) will check that the baby is developing normally, and will then look at where the placenta is lying in the uterus. This detailed ultrasound scan, sometimes called the mid-pregnancy or 20-weekscan, also known as "Morphology or Anatomy Ultrasound" is usually carried out when you are between 18 and 21 weeks pregnant.

My 21 weeks baby bump! 😍

 A bun in my oven :)

💖  With my little girl! A handful of happiness, a heartful of love💖

Hi there my baby! 💖

   Let's take a peek on what's happening this week:

Inside the Womb at 21 Weeks

Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Photo courtesy of The Bump

Baby on day 148 - Photo courtesy of Nurture App

Photo courtesy of The Parent

Photo courtesy of Pregnancy App

Photo courtesy of Your Baby Library

Child length: approximately 10.5 inches (about the size of a carrot)

Child weight: 12.7 oz

At this stage: Wondering what’s going on with your 21-week fetus? Your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, while hair on the scalp becomes more visible. This is perhaps the most wonderful milestone this week, as it makes your baby look even more real. 

Thinking if your baby can see by this point? The eyes are still closed this week, but they are rather sensitive to light, and may look away when you flash bright light in your abdomen.

In other developments, the fingernails now completely cover the tips of your baby's fingers, but they're still not long enough. Your baby's circulatory system is fully functional by now.

Your baby's taste buds develop. Speaking of carrots, if you eat one this week, there's a good chance your baby will taste it too. That's because when you're 21 weeks pregnant, your baby swallows a bit of amniotic fluid each day — not only for nutrition and hydration, but also to practice swallowing and digesting, skills he'll need as soon as he arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet banana the next).

If you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form. As baby's digestive system preps for the outside world, he or she's manufacturing meconium—the tarry black substance you'll find in the first dirty diaper.

Part of your baby's growth spurt at this point is likely because his stomach is now equipped to start absorbing energy-boosting nutrients from the amniotic fluid he's swallowing in there. Most of your baby's nourishment is still coming directly from the placenta, though.Baby's getting coordinated, your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves at 21 weeks pregnant. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements, which explains all that kicking, stretching and bodysurfing (or rather bellysurfing) you may have started feeling.

You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. Sleeping patterns start to form at this week, too, as your child learns to sleep a whopping 20 hours a day!

Your Body

21 WEEKS PREGNANT BELLY

This week, you may look in the mirror and wonder, “Where did I go?!” By the time you reach 21 weeks pregnant, you may have gained around 13 to 14 pounds, and around 21 pounds if you’re 21 weeks pregnant with twins.

Your newfound curves might have you feeling super sexy and confident—after all, you’re the center of attention wherever you go! But the extra weight also might have you feeling… fat. (You’re not—you’re pregnant!) Remind yourself, you’re supposed to be gaining this weight! It’s good for you and for baby.

In fact, all the weight you gain during pregnancy isn’t just padding for baby—it all serves a really important purpose. Here’s a logical way to think of it: Of the approximately 30 pounds you’ll gain throughout your pregnancy, there’s a whole lot more than fat. Here’s what makes up that weight:

An average full-term baby = 7.5 pounds

Placenta = 1.5 pounds

Uterus = 2 pounds

Amniotic fluid = 2 pounds

Maternal stores of fat, protein, and other nutrients (needed for breastfeeding!) = 7 pounds

Breast tissue (also for BFing, of course) = 2 pounds

Increased fluid volume = 4 pounds

Increased blood volume = 4 pounds

See? All those pounds are doing a lot of good, keeping baby alive and healthy—and storing up good stuff to nourish him or her after birth.

Any time you’re feeling a little meh about your body, think of all the amazing things it’s doing! Now, at 21 weeks, fetal movement is noticeable—and baby has reflexes too! If you gently press your palm on your belly, you might feel a little push back. So cool!

Days left to birth: 133 days left (53% of your pregnancy is completed)

Due date: 23 November 2017

Data Sources: Babycenter, The Bump, What To Expect, Parents.com, Due Date Calculator (YourDueDate.com), What To Expect, Pregnancy App