Week 21
Second Trimester

What happens to me?

Have you decided whether you want to find out the gender of the baby? Everyone is probably telling you what sex the baby is by using different guessing methods. Some people find this fun, while other pregnant women find it annoying. People guess the sex of the child by how high or low you carry the baby or the Chinese Gender Chart, but these methods are not always accurate.

If you are having an ultrasound examination, you can ask to be told or not to be told the baby's sex. The technician or doctor running the test will be happy to let you know if it is evident which sex your child is, but if you do not wish to know they will keep it a secret for you.

Again, if you are a first-time parent, or want a refresher childbirth course, now is the time to do it. No matter what the philosophy behind it, a childbirth class can help prepare you for the rigors of labor and delivery. At 37 weeks, you will be considered full-term and labor could start any minute, so plan to be done with classes by then.

Be extra vigilant about getting enough iron. The baby needs it to make red blood cells, among other things. In fact, it is almost impossible for you to get too much from food alone without overeating. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.

How much will I be showing?

You should be able to feel your uterus around ½ inch from your belly button. Your weight gain will be around 10-15 pounds and your waistline will definitely be gone. At this point, hiding your pregnancy may prove to be impossible.

What happens to baby?

The baby can still move all over in the amniotic fluid. Towards the end of this trimester the baby will begin to settle in a head down position, although some babies do not turn head down until late in the last trimester.

The baby is steadily gaining weight to stay warm after birth. A whitish coat of slick, fatty substance (called vernix caseosa) begins to surround the baby and protect the skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery. The baby is swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system.

How big is the baby?

The baby weighs around 10-11 ounces and is 7-7 ½ inches long.

Tip of the Week

Food cravings can be both bad and good. If you are craving foods that are good for you, you should eat them in moderation. If you are craving foods that are bad for you, try to avoid them.

Want to figure out your due date? Click Here

Just found out you're pregnant? Don't forget to check out the previous Weeks!

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