The first half of pregnancy is behind us. Week 21 opens the second half of this interesting and difficult period, filled with hopes and new feelings. At this time, a second screening test may be scheduled.

Purpose of the survey

Second prenatal screening, or rather, one of its components - an ultrasound examination, is carried out on any day between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. Lab tests blood levels for hormones and proteins, the so-called triple test, are taken earlier - from 16 to 20 weeks. Thus, at 21 weeks, all pregnant women who did not have time to undergo this examination in the previous three weeks will be sent for an ultrasound scan.

Purpose of the study - identify the risks of possible genetic abnormalities in the fetus. Ultrasound diagnostics in this process has a special role, its results significantly influence the overall conclusion.

In addition, at 21 weeks the expectant mother may visit the ultrasound room for other reasons. Appearance pain syndrome, abnormal discharge for the period, ichor, emerging signs of inflammation, the emergence of a threat to the continuation of pregnancy - all this is the basis for an urgent unscheduled diagnostics condition of mother and fetus. An obstetrician-gynecologist may recommend an ultrasound if the height of the uterine fundus does not correspond obstetric period, if a woman complains that she suddenly stopped feeling fetal movements, although they were there before.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to clarify the timing of pregnancy and determine the date of the upcoming birth.

Preparation and features

At this stage, the ultrasound examination procedure is transabdominal: the sensor is located on top of the abdomen, and the uterus and baby are viewed through the anterior abdominal wall. A specialist can use a vaginal sensor only if the view through the abdomen is difficult due to excess weight pregnant, obese, as well as in cases where it is necessary to examine the cervix and cervical canal to assess the possible threat of termination of pregnancy at this stage.

This ultrasound does not require any specific preparation from the woman. there is no need to fill the bladder, since the quantity amniotic fluid sufficient for good visualization, and intestinal gases, which had to be dealt with before ultrasound scanning in the first trimester, can no longer affect the result of the examination, because the uterus has grown and it is no longer possible to compress it with a swollen intestine.

What can be seen on an ultrasound?

The baby has grown and “formed”: his height is already close to 25 centimeters from heels to top, and his weight has exceeded 350 grams. The smallest babies at this stage are about 18 centimeters tall. A toddler with such parameters is clearly visible on any scanner, even if this equipment does not belong to the category of modern innovative technology. 21 weeks by obstetric standards - about 19 weeks from the moment of conception. During this time, the child has learned a lot and is ready to demonstrate a lot to his mother and the doctor, who will observe him for several minutes through an ultrasound sensor.

The baby has perfectly mastered a variety of facial expressions; this will be especially noticeable if a 3D ultrasound is performed. He sucks his fists and plays with the umbilical cord. At this stage, hair begins to grow on the baby’s head, and the functioning of the digestive system begins to develop. The baby swallows about half a liter of amniotic fluid per day.

At 21 weeks, the baby learns to distinguish tastes, since taste buds appear on his tongue at this time. The arms and legs are still moving somewhat chaotically, and this is easy to see on an ultrasound; coordination of movements is a task for the near future. The child hears various sounds; during the procedure, he can respond with increased motor activity to the unfamiliar voice of the doctor, to the measured buzzing of the equipment.

21 weeks is a great time to find out the gender of your baby. If before this the doctor spoke uncertainly about the baby’s gender or it was not possible to examine the genitals, now the secret may become apparent. The uterus is still quite free, and the baby is constantly changing its position in space.

It is possible that during the ultrasound the baby will turn around so that his external genitalia will be accessible for inspection.

Decoding and norms

The doctor's conclusion about the ultrasound scan always begins with determining the number of children. For each of them, the specialist sets vitality criteria - the baby must have a beating heart and be present. physical activity. The specialist also determines the type of location of the child in the uterus - cephalic, pelvic or transverse.

However, for now a woman should not be upset by either breech or transverse presentation, because there is still a long time before the birth, the baby is constantly moving, and his position will change more than once.

Fetal fetometry

Obstetricians have a special attitude towards fetometric data - the sizes of individual parts of the child’s body allow them to get an idea of ​​how proportionally complex he is, whether he is growing and developing correctly. Such data includes abbreviations already familiar to a woman - BPR, LZR, OG and coolant:

• Bipariental size - a visual segment drawn between the two temporal bones of the head,
• The fronto-occipital size is a longitudinal segment from the frontal bone to the occipital bone.
• Head circumference and abdominal circumference are two additional parameters that allow you to judge the development of a child.

The length of the paired bones - femur, tibia, forearm and shoulder - important signs successful growth of the baby, as well as markers of possible chromosomal disorders.

The table of average norms of fetometric indicators at 20-21 weeks is as follows:

The table of norms for the length of paired bones at 21 weeks is as follows:

The interhemispheric size of the baby’s cerebellum at this stage is approaching 21-23 mm. The estimated weight of the baby is already in the range of 350-420 grams.

Anatomical features of the fetus

All internal organs baby is fully formed. Most of them are functioning in a well-functioning mode, some are just starting to work. Ultrasound examines the hemispheres of the brain, the presence and features, if any, of the lungs, organs of the urinary system - Bladder and kidneys. The heart must have 4 chambers and beat rhythmically and evenly. Since the gastrointestinal tract begins to actively work at week 21, The doctor carefully examines the stomach, intestines, and gall bladder. The spine and bones of the face and skull are assessed.

If no visible defects are found, the doctor does not go into detail describing each organ examined and indicates that they are all normal and have no special features. If a defect is detected, the doctor describes in detail the type of pathology, the decision on additional diagnostics and possible treatment.

In this case, all decisions will be made by the obstetrician and the pediatrician jointly.

Placenta, uterus, amniotic fluid

This week, zero degree of placental maturity is considered normal. This means that this temporary body, which is entrusted with important responsibilities - to provide the child with everything necessary, is quite young and successfully copes with its main task. If the doctor claims that the placenta is located low, do not worry, because the uterus has yet to grow, and along with the stretching uterine walls, the “baby place” can “migrate”.

However low placentation leaves its mark on daily life future mother - she needs to treat her pregnancy more carefully and carefully, take care of yourself, do not lift heavy objects, do not make sudden movements, take vitamins and visit your doctor more often than other pregnant women so that control is constant. Amniotic fluid at 21 weeks should be clean, transparent, and free of suspended matter. Their normal number at this stage is 143-214 mm.

The uterine walls should not be toned, the cervix should not undergo changes, and the cervical canal is normally tightly closed.

Possible problems

There are several problems that can be detected by ultrasound at this stage.

Fetometric data differs from the real period

A slight deviation of the baby’s individual sizes from the average norms may not indicate pathologies of fetal development. The cause may be heredity: short stature parents will most likely be passed on to the child, and therefore expect from him long length not worth the bones. If the mother or father has a large head, then the child’s may be the same, and therefore the parameters of the head according to ultrasound will be somewhat ahead of the normative data.

Such a deviation is considered alarming in which the deadline according to the tables is “shifted” by 2 or more weeks. If at 21 weeks the size of the head (BPR and LZR) barely reaches the indicators of 18-19 weeks, this is the basis for prescribing additional diagnostics, since there can be many reasons for this - microcephaly, malformations, genetic pathologies, oxygen starvation, insufficient nutrition of the fetus, developmental delay.

An increase in size for 2 or more weeks may also indicate possible problems in the future, but other dimensions should be assessed. If the increase is proportional, and other parameters are also ahead of the standards, then we may be talking about a tendency towards the birth of a large or gigantic child. If only certain parts of the body are enlarged, a detailed investigation into the reasons for this phenomenon is required.

What does the baby look like (weight and size of the fetus)

The baby is the size of a large grapefruit. His height is eighteen centimeters, and his weight is three hundred grams - and maybe even more. All organs and systems in the baby’s body have long completed their formation. At week 21, they continue to hone their functioning:

• digestive system continues his training: the baby swallows amniotic fluid, forcing the gastrointestinal tract to work;
• “inedibles” that are not absorbed by the child’s body accumulate in the intestines - they will come out in the first few days of the baby’s life after birth under the guise of meconium;
• the baby lives according to a clearly defined schedule;
• the baby continues to grow adipose tissue;
• in other words, it grows not so much in height as in breadth;
• body little man inside you grows fuzz;
• the baby has already formed cellular immunity;
• the rudiments of baby teeth have already appeared in the gums.

Determining the sex of the child

The doctor who will perform the procedure on you will be able to easily tell who exactly is growing in your tummy - a daughter or a son. At this stage, information about the sex of the child coming from the doctor’s mouth is no longer guesswork or assumptions, but the truth. If the doctor said “girl,” you can’t doubt it for a second.

By the way, you can find out the gender of your baby yourself, use Chinese calendar — .

YOU

Ultrasound

The period from 21 to 22 weeks is considered ideal for a second planned ultrasound. During the examination, the doctor will pay attention to the following points:

• maturity of the placenta;
• location of the placenta;
• the number of vessels that the umbilical cord contains.

Entanglement at 21 weeks is not indicative. Even if it does occur, there is nothing to worry about: the baby will change its position in the mother’s belly a thousand times more.

Screening

At week 21, you will probably already receive the results of the second perinatal screening. You can read about what it is and how mandatory it is in the thematic material on our website -. You should have had a blood test for certain hormones several weeks ago. Now the doctor will be able to get acquainted with the results, familiarizing you with them at the same time, and make a confident conclusion that there are no risks of abnormal development of the baby at this stage of pregnancy. Screening between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy is carried out regardless of medical institution, in which a representative of the fair sex is registered. This can be a triple screening (blood test for the presence of three markers: hCG, estriol and alpha-fetoprotein) or truncated double screening (blood test for the presence of two markers: hCG and alpha-fetoprotein).

Nausea

Manifestations of toxicosis are a thing of the past. You should no longer have nausea or vomiting, which prevents you from breathing normally in the morning. The symptoms of toxicosis may still worry a little for those expectant mothers who are carrying not one, but several babies. For others, manifestations of toxicosis at this time are considered a deviation from the norm. To finally get rid of the annoying signs, you need to tell your obstetrician-gynecologist about the problem, giving him the opportunity to independently resolve this issue - without your intervention.

The average norm of amniotic fluid for this period is 143 millimeters. However, the acceptable gap is quite large. If the results of an ultrasound examination show that there is from 88 to 233 millimeters of amniotic fluid in your body, then everything is fine with your baby. In this case, the diagnosis of polyhydramnios (or oligohydramnios - if the amniotic fluid is less than normal) is not made.

If at this stage the ultrasound specialist finds out that there is not enough amniotic fluid in the pregnant woman’s body, he will write a diagnosis of “oligohydramnios”. A small amount of amniotic fluid may be due to infection. If there is a lot of amniotic fluid, the diagnosis will be as follows: polyhydramnios. An increased amount of amniotic fluid can also be the result of an infection. In addition, insufficient good job fetal kidney.

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WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What is happening to your body - sensations

Against the background of fairly good health and pleasant sensations that your baby’s movements bring, at 21 weeks a significant negative may also appear - swelling. Your body retains a large amount of fluid, which manifests itself as swelling in the afternoon. There is nothing surprising in this situation; it is quite logical, because your internal organs are now seriously overloaded. Don't be afraid of swelling, they are not scary for those who know how to deal with them.

Do not under any circumstances reduce the amount of clean water you drink per day. The opinion that you need to drink less when you have edema is wrong. Limit your consumption of overly salty and overly spicy foods. They are the common culprits of your swelling at 21 weeks of pregnancy. You will have to say goodbye to heels until the end of pregnancy. If you still haven't purchased several pairs of comfortable flat shoes, it's time to go shoe shopping. Now this is not a whim, it is a vital necessity. The maximum permissible heel for this stage of pregnancy is two centimeters. When going to bed or reading a book on the sofa, try to use available means to raise your feet above the level of your heart. To do this, you can use a blanket rolled into a roll, or several pillows stacked on top of each other.

Nagging pain in the abdomen

If at 21 weeks of pregnancy you have a tightening in the lower abdomen, if these pains are similar to contractions, and in parallel with them you observe bloody issues from the genital tract, sound the alarm. Now the risk of miscarriage is much lower than in the first trimester, but it still exists. This is the only case when you should be afraid of pain in the lower abdomen. However, most often what pregnant women proudly call “pain” is spasms of the intestines squeezed by the growing uterus. The most you can expect from such pain is constipation. Therefore, there is no need to worry in vain. It must be admitted that girls in an interesting position tend to exaggerate everything that happens to them.

Back pain

Yes, at this stage the lower back may actually hurt. Swelling and back pain are problems that can be solved with the help of a bandage. Perhaps these annoying companions of pregnancy will not disappear one hundred percent, but partly due to swelling and pain in the lower part of the spine you will really be able to get rid of it this way. In order not to miss the choice of a bandage, consult your doctor before purchasing. He will give clear recommendations regarding which type of product under discussion should be preferred in your case.

Discharge

Normal discharge remains unchanged in its characteristics: completely transparent or slightly milky, watery, more abundant than before pregnancy and during pregnancy. early stages, having the smell of kefir - sour, but not repulsive. If the discharge has changed its character (become cheesy, foamy, mixed with pus or blood), if it has changed its color (become white, green, brown, yellow, scarlet), if it has changed its smell (to unbearably sour, the smell of rotten fish or any other that is difficult to classify as pleasant), you must contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. He will be able to quickly find out the cause of such discharge and no less quickly select ways to get rid of the problem that has manifested itself. Calm - and only calm. Let this Carlson rule be the main one for you from now until the end of the gestation period.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Do's and Don'ts

The sensitivity of your erogenous zones continues to grow, which means that your sex drive can become even stronger, even more powerful than before. Don’t be afraid of your desires, feel free to make them come true with your child’s future dad. And don’t be afraid to harm the baby: remember that intimacy improves blood circulation in the pelvic organs, providing the baby with a fair amount of oxygen.

Avoid intense physical activity. Even if you are a professional athlete. Even if you can’t live a day without going to the gym. Nobody recommends that you give up sports. It's just that now is the time to choose something more suitable for your interesting position. This could be classes in a maternity pool, yoga, Pilates, or other moderate-intensity physical activity. Sports are a must in the life of an expectant mother, you just need to take it in doses. Do you want to know more about what is permitted during the 21st week of pregnancy and what is considered taboo for expectant mothers.

Proper nutrition

Basics proper nutrition at 21 weeks of pregnancy remain unchanged. However, the most important thing now is to saturate your diet with foods that contain sufficient amounts of calcium. But that's not all. You must read and strictly follow a number of recommendations that contribute to the correct and high-quality absorption of calcium by your body:

• it is necessary to carry out pregnancy as actively as possible, because muscle activity promotes the absorption of calcium into the blood;
• Every day your diet should include such foods as milk, cottage cheese, kefir, eggs or horse mackerel (any of these products can be replaced with another product from the list that you do not eat due to taste preferences);
• In order for calcium obtained from food and vitamin complexes to be absorbed as best as possible, you must eat food that is saturated with fluoride and magnesium - these substances also contribute to the high-quality absorption of calcium into the blood.

The expectant mother will have to completely abandon:

• coffee;
• unhealthy fats;
• salty food.

The substances listed above prevent calcium from being absorbed normally.

Vitamins

The expectant mother’s body needs vitamins at any stage of bearing a baby. But at 21 weeks of pregnancy, calcium remains the most important micronutrient. If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, if the mother is absolutely healthy and does not suffer from any problems, the doctor will most likely refuse to use poly- or monovitamin complexes, and will recommend that the pregnant woman adjust her own diet. However, calcium is often prescribed in tablet form. Taking vitamins is an important point, because due to a lack of calcium in the mother’s body, she herself will suffer first of all. He will get the calcium the baby needs, but you will have nothing to make up for its lack in your own body without the necessary food products and vitamin complexes.

The 21st week of pregnancy is a favorable period. A woman blossoms at this stage, the feeling and condition of the mother during pregnancy at 21 weeks improves, along with the condition of the skin, hair and nails, and the contours of the body become more feminine. The belly is not very large yet, so the expectant mother is very active and energetic.

What happens at 21 weeks of pregnancy?

Metabolic processes are activated in the female body, which leads to an increase in appetite. The growth and proper development of a child requires more energy, and the expectant mother needs to eat right. The increase in daily energy needs should be 500 Kcal.

The child's growth rate has slowed down slightly, but the fetal weight is actively increasing at 21 weeks of pregnancy. Since he has already grown up enough, the woman may feel pressure on the internal organs and systems.

At this time, the first stretch marks may appear, which may be due to a genetic predisposition. In this case, the fight against them is difficult and ineffective. In some expectant mothers, even with a strong weight gain, stretch marks do not appear.

What happens in the 21st week of pregnancy in a woman’s body?

The uterus continues to increase in size, the height of its fundus reaches 21-22 cm and is located one finger above the navel. The uterus significantly supports all internal organs - intestines, liver, lungs, stomach. The abdominal circumference at this stage is about 75-80 cm; exceeding this parameter may indicate:

• pathology of placental development -;
• multiple pregnancy;
• chorionepithelioma is a malignant tumor.

If the abdominal circumference is less than the established norm, we can talk about oligohydramnios or delayed fetal development as a result placental insufficiency. All these pathologies require careful examination and management of pregnancy by an experienced doctor.

Weight gain at 21 obstetric week pregnancy from the beginning of the “interesting” situation is about 6 kg, but this is the reference value. Women have strength individual characteristics the increase in body weight can fluctuate between 3-8 kg, but there should not be a sharp increase. Weekly weight should increase by a maximum of 500 g.

WOMAN'S FEELINGS

A fetus at 21 weeks of gestation, while in the womb, already makes about 200 movements per day. He is still quite comfortable in the uterine cavity, he can tumble and change position freely. But amniotic fluid and the walls of the placenta significantly smooth out these movements, so not all of them can be felt by a woman.

The mother’s condition is characterized by a feeling of concern and at the same time joy for her growing baby. During this period of pregnancy, a woman can feel from 1 to 14-15 movements per day, more often in a calm state. The movements are still very light and represent soft “touches of a cat’s paw”, there are no pushes or bulging yet.

The 21st obstetric week of pregnancy is the time when the expectant mother can already determine the condition of the fetus by the nature and frequency of movements. If they increase sharply or, conversely, long time absent, this may indicate a lack of oxygen. Fetal hypoxia can lead to dangerous consequences, so it is important for a pregnant woman to spend as much time as possible in the fresh air.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound examination during this period can be performed as part of a second screening examination, if the woman did not have time to undergo it earlier. In the practice of modern medicine, ultrasound scanning can be used beyond routine examinations only in the presence of pathologies and to confirm the correct development of the fetus and its weight at 21 weeks.

DISCHARGE FROM THE GENITAL TRACT

A sign of normal pregnancy is clear, milky or slightly yellowish discharge with a slight odor. They may increase slightly in volume or become more liquid, which is due to physiological processes in the female body. Purulent, bloody and other unusual discharge indicates the presence of a sexually transmitted infection, which can adversely affect the development of the fetus at 21 weeks.

When he appears, he doesn't even large quantity blood, you should immediately seek help from a gynecologist, since such symptoms may indicate placental abruption and cause premature birth. With timely assistance, a woman can carry her child to due date- at least until 37 weeks.

Thin and watery discharge indicates leakage of amniotic fluid. To determine the pathology, the doctor performs a special analysis. If amniotic fluid is detected in the discharge, emergency measures are prescribed, since in the absence of appropriate assistance, an infection can enter the amniotic sac on the first day.

Fetal development at 21 weeks of gestation

At the twenty-first week, the baby is actively accumulating body weight. How much does a fetus weigh at 21 weeks? Its height is about 18 cm, and the weight of the fruit reaches 390 g. In size, it is similar to a large grapefruit. The baby still has a lot of room in the uterus, so it can make a variety of movements, which can be seen during an ultrasound examination.

What happens in the twenty-first obstetric week? The fetus continues to develop its digestive system, which prepares for the first meals. Already at this stage there is a small amount of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in his stomach. The child drinks about 500 ml of amniotic fluid per day.

The baby receives a large amount of nutrients from amniotic fluid; sugar and water are actively absorbed by his body. Thanks to these metabolic processes, subcutaneous fat tissue grows and energy for movement appears. Unnecessary elements are digested, turning in the intestines into the original swamp-green feces - meconium.

Lanugo fluff continues to grow on the baby's skin, which already covers the entire head. The sebaceous glands actively produce a lubricant that protects the epidermis from penetration of the amniotic fluid. In the future, it will help the baby “slide” along the birth canal.

At this stage, the fetus already has actively functioning endocrine glands - the thyroid gland, hypothalamus, pancreas, spleen, as well as the adrenal glands and gonads. The skeletal and muscular systems are gradually strengthened.

The baby's nervous system is already fully formed. He hears surrounding sounds well and also recognizes his mother's voice. His the immune system produces its own white cells, interferon and immunoglobulin, which will allow it to independently fight infections and viruses after birth.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS

Possible pathologies at this stage of pregnancy include:

• hypertonicity of the uterus - pathological condition caused by muscle contraction and tension;
• Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is a condition characterized by increased blood sugar levels. Can cause a sharp increase in fetal weight, which can cause problems with pregnancy, as well as difficult premature birth;
• varicose veins veins

Premature birth poses a great danger, since the baby cannot yet function outside the mother’s body. Symptoms of the onset of labor can be: painful urination, spotting, increased uterine tone, vomiting, sharp acute pain in the abdominal area.

WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO?

The feeling and condition of the mother after 21 weeks determines her activity. Even at this stage of pregnancy, a woman can play sports, but dangerous and intense loads (skating, skiing, cycling) must be excluded. Yoga and fitness, walking, and swimming are ideal for strengthening muscles and increasing their tone. It is also recommended to do vaginal exercises to adjust the pelvic diaphragm; they are necessary for quick pre- and postpartum recovery.

If you experience back pain, you need to stop sitting in one position for a long time, taking an uncomfortable position. You should learn to relax and listen to your body. To reduce pain in a pregnant woman’s back, you can wear a special bandage, which is a thick elastic band. If there is a risk of varicose veins, the doctor will recommend wearing special compression stockings.

You can’t give yourself any slack in terms of appetite. One extra glass of soda and a fragrant pie can be the start of weight gain. The expectant mother should accustom herself to a routine in order to keep her body and body in excellent shape until the birth. To do this, you need to eat according to the following scheme: a hearty breakfast, a second (lighter) breakfast, a full lunch (in small portions), an afternoon snack from healthy products and a light dinner.

We should not forget about fluid, which is necessary to increase blood volume, maintain the level of amniotic fluid in the membranes, and also to improve general well-being future mother.

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The 5th month of pregnancy is coming to an end. In just 4 months, the long-awaited baby will be born. And the mother still needs to prepare for this important day. The day when a child leaves the comfortable and warm mother’s womb and enters this huge world still unknown to him.

In obstetrics, this is the name given to approximately the fifth month and one week of actual pregnancy. By this time, many women have already gained about 4 kilograms and continue to gain weight. But this does not spoil them at all, but, on the contrary, enhances them. The cheeks are filled with blush. Women in labor at this stage usually feel well.

Signs, symptoms, sensations

At this time, nothing should darken the girl’s mood. Shortness of breath is not yet bothering me, there is no fatigue or insomnia, the pelvis and back do not hurt, as in more later. Inconveniences arise only due to the increased sensitivity of the young mother, but with the sensitive attitude of loved ones, even this minor nuisance can be smoothed out.

Attacks of back pain still occur at the 21st week, but more often due to sitting for a long time in one uncomfortable position. After it changes to normal, the pain will go away.

It is better if you go for a massage to a qualified specialist. This will reduce the number of unpleasant symptoms. Regular visits to the pool are also suitable.

Young mothers also develop pigment spots on their skin. But not everyone is affected by this problem. In addition, at this stage a woman looks very feminine and impressive that no one will pay attention to such little things as age spots.

Also, at this time the first stretch marks may already appear. Cover your body after water procedures cream. It will not be possible to completely get rid of them, especially if there is a genetic predisposition.

Track your weight. If you gain a small amount of kilograms during pregnancy, there will be few stretch marks, and they will be easily removed with the help of creams and special exercises.

At this stage, the child already has clearly defined periods of sleep and wakefulness. Often the process of being awake and exploring one's arms and legs can occur during the mother's main sleep. And this can cause minor inconvenience.

A brutal appetite appears. But be sure to control yourself. Temporary satisfaction of desire is not worth the health of you and your child.

Sometimes I have problems with flatulence. The uterus presses on the intestines, and various embarrassing situations can occur. Well, there's nothing you can do about it. You can choose foods that do not cause bloating: cabbage, asparagus, brown bread, onions.

Often, a expectant mother is bothered by heartburn (a feeling of bitterness in the mouth). It is most noticeable in a supine position. Clean Borjomi water and the drug Rennie will help you cope with it.

Varicose veins also worry young mothers. Large volume blood increases veins. But there are special stockings on sale that solve this problem.

Bleeding gums are another annoying problem that mothers experience. And it can worry you throughout the entire period of pregnancy. It will probably not be possible to completely cure gum inflammation before childbirth. But you can still reduce the unpleasant inflammation of the gums. It is necessary to remove flour and confectionery products from the diet, which help the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, which increases inflammation.

If you have problems with constipation, eat more vegetables. Ideally, they should make up 60 percent of the daily diet, then the problem will go away. Also eat wheat bran, drink a glass of cold water on an empty stomach in the morning, drink homemade juices (especially sauerkraut juice), curdled milk, fresh kefir are also useful, eat coarsely ground foods.

You may notice that your nails and hair begin to grow very quickly. This is explained by an increase in the concentration of the pregnancy hormone.

Another advantage of this period is less irritability. Warm baths before bed and herbal teas will help relieve feelings of anxiety. The main thing is that pregnant women should absolutely not take hot baths!

Description of fetal development

By the twenty-first week, the mature baby already weighs 300-360 grams and reaches 20-25 centimeters. During this period, the child’s digestive tract is already formed. His body already contains small amounts of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. But for now it receives nutrients only from the waters surrounding it. He drinks up to half a liter of amniotic fluid per day. From it the child receives sugar and water, and the excess is deposited in the form of meconium.

Meconium is the baby's first feces, which consists of prenatal hair, amniotic fluid, bile, mucus and water.

Hair is already growing on the baby's head. They are especially visible in children belonging to races with dark coarse hair. Eyebrows and eyelashes are also already formed.

Now the baby is already formed and after birth he will look the same. He will only gain an average of 3 kilograms and increase in height.

If earlier the amniotic fluid performed only shock-absorbing functions, now, by swallowing it, the child can taste what the mother is eating.

The baby's joints and muscles are strengthened. He learns to control his arms and legs and, since this most often happens at night, prevents his mother from falling asleep.

Now dad can feel the baby: he often puts out an arm or a leg.

At this stage, many women already feel the mobility of the fetus. There is still quite a lot of room for him there, and he can move around as he wants. Typically a woman feels about 1-4 such movements during the day.

Following the digestive system, the endocrine system begins to develop, which may explain the baby’s activity at night.

At this stage, a woman already begins to feel like a mother, because under her heart she literally feels her baby. So, it’s time to start raising this restless resident. You definitely need to talk to him, gently and calmly. After all, he, like no one else, feels his mother’s mood.

The right diet for a woman carrying a child

A comprehensive healthy diet during pregnancy is one of the most important conditions for harmonious development and gestation. During this wonderful and unforgettable time, not only the mother, but also the child needs the right amount of vitamins, useful minerals and nutrients.

The mother's diet should contain only fresh and healthy foods and food prepared from them. It is necessary to initially replace sucrose with glucose, fructose, honey or products prepared with their addition. It is very important that the energy entering the body matches its expenditure. Some mothers deliberately overeat, and against the backdrop of a lack of physical activity, which then leads to dire consequences. A large number of unnecessary substances prevent the fetus from developing harmoniously. As a result, the baby is born very large, with a poorly formed muscular system and underdeveloped internal organs. But another case, in the absence of any necessary elements in the diet, can also lead to disruption of metabolic processes in the child and mother. This can also have a negative impact on the health of the mother and her child, even leading to miscarriage or developmental abnormalities of the child.

One of the important indicators of proper balanced nutrition for a pregnant woman can be speed dial weight. At healthy eating this is 8-10 kilograms for the entire period of bearing a child (this is approximately 300-350 grams every week from the 21st week of pregnancy).
From the 21st week of gestation, the nutrients supplied to the mother should contain 125 grams of protein, 86 grams of fat, 410 grams of carbohydrates, with a total energy value of 2780-3100 kilocalories.

During this period, it is recommended to eat a variety of soups, low-fat cottage cheese, milk, sour cream, and mild cheese. The body's protein requirement can be met with animal proteins, approximately 51%. Of these, 26% comes from lean meat products (110-210 grams) or boiled fish (140-260 grams), 21% from milk and dairy products (550 grams) and up to 4% from chicken eggs(1 piece). Products such as milk, yogurt, mild cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, lean boiled meat, and fish contain the best amount of protein.

Some girls carrying a child at the beginning of pregnancy really want to eat chalk or salt. This indicates poor nutrition. In such cases, girls are prescribed vitamins (usually group D), drugs containing phosphorus, calcium and iron.

Every day, every woman carrying a child should consume the following mineral elements in certain proportions:

• calcium needs from 1500 to 2100 mg;
• magnesium – 400 mg;
• phosphorus – no more than 2 mg;
• potassium needs about 4 mg per day;
• sodium preferably 4-6 g;
• chlorine – also 5 g;
• and iron - approximately 18 mg.

In the middle of the term, many complain of a constant feeling of hunger. But there's nothing wrong with that. It’s just that the baby actively accumulates fat during this period, which requires about 510 more kilocalories per day. The weight of the woman and child continues to increase. What causes expectant mothers a lot of inconvenience is how to control your appetite? But the body can be deceived; a special scheme is drawn up for this:

• Mom's breakfast should be high-calorie and filling.
• Second breakfast is light.
• Lunch should be complete, but the portions are small.
• For an afternoon snack you should definitely eat something healthy.
• At the end of the day there is dinner. It should be completely non-caloric, and no later than 3 hours before bedtime.

The most important thing, as throughout pregnancy, is healthy sleep. It is advisable that it be carried out in a fresh, after ventilation, room closed with curtains. It is best for women to sleep on right side or in any other convenient position. It happens that the baby moves for a long time and prevents mom from falling asleep, then just sing him a lullaby. Scientists have long proven that children inside the mother hear everything that happens outside the mother’s belly.

You should also know that sex is possible during this period. The main thing is to choose a comfortable position for the young mother.

Sports are also allowed, especially for those ladies who were diligently involved in it before conception. It is also useful to do special yoga or fitness for pregnant women. Do not forget also that girls carrying children have a shifted center of gravity and their legs can very easily become entangled. It is even possible that an increase or decrease in blood pressure will make a woman dizzy or faint. Therefore, it is very important that during such activities there is a person nearby. close person who can support. And if necessary, provide assistance. Well, the main thing is to do everything in moderation, not to overload the body. Because this can affect the child's health.

Many doctors say that mothers should wear a bandage from the 21st week of pregnancy. It takes some of the load off the spine, supports a growing belly, corrects posture, and improves blood circulation in the pelvis. Which, in essence, helps pregnant women lead a normal life. Manufacturers currently offer different types bandage: sewn to panties and sold separately. Doctors recommend using a separate bandage, since it needs to be washed less often and its width can be easily adjusted, depending on the girth of the abdomen.

If the mother is at risk of varicose veins, experts recommend wearing special compression tights. But at the same time, it is completely contraindicated for young mothers to wear tight tights.

You've probably already had to completely replace your usual wardrobe. You gave up heels and platform shoes - that's right. After all, the main thing during pregnancy is your well-being and comfort for your child. The bra should not put pressure on the chest; it needs free access of air.

Create a comfortable environment for yourself and be happy about your wonderful situation. After all, being a mother is the most difficult, responsible and wonderful job in the world.

Tests and ultrasound

On ultrasound, doctors measure at this stage:

• first of all, the position of the fetus (it can be either longitudinal, transverse, or oblique or unstable);
• lungs;
• brain structure;
• preliminary lying of the child (head, buttock);
• fetal biometry (BDP, head and abdominal circumference, hip length);
• baby's intestines;
• extended photometry (diameter of the heart, brain, spine, bladder, also the size of the intestines, both kidneys, the length of the tibia and fibula, and the length of the shoulders, elbows and feet);
• stomach;
• structure of the skull;
• child's mobility;
• baby's heart;
• location of the placenta and its properties;
• amount of amniotic fluid;
• study of the umbilical cord;
• exclusion of entwining the child with it;
• normal expansion of the uterus;
• fetal weight.

Ultrasound - 21 weeks pregnant Baby - 21 weeks pregnant Ultrasound at 21 weeks pregnant

It is important to listen to your body if it gives signals such as:

• frequent uterine contractions;
• bloody vaginal discharge;
• sudden watery discharge;
• frequent pain when urinating;
• severe pain in the abdominal area;
• continuous vomiting;
• the occurrence of great pressure in the lower abdomen.

Contact your doctor immediately, because it is important not only to preserve the fetus, but also to your health.

But at this stage, doctors, as a rule, do not prescribe tests and other studies. The second planned ultrasound and blood and urine tests are usually behind us. And mom can take a little break from undergoing tests, various types of research and other not particularly pleasant procedures.

The second part of the pregnancy is aimed at the baby gaining weight, at this time the indicators of his growth are already taken into account, and coordinated directed movements are actively felt. The 21st week of pregnancy is marked by a routine ultrasound, at which you can find out who you should expect, a boy or a girl, or perhaps you are expecting twins.

By the 21st week of pregnancy, a woman already has a well-rounded belly. It doesn't cause any inconvenience yet, but it already has volume. Toxicosis has already passed by this period, but new sensations appear.

1. At this time, the little one begins to move actively. Often this happens while the mother is sleeping. Therefore, changes in the baby's position in the womb may wake you up unexpectedly. Doctors recommend monitoring the frequency of movements, since the activity of the embryo directly depends on its condition:

• if you feel the baby moving at least ten times during the day, rest assured, everything is fine with the baby;
• an excess of movements may indicate that the mother is uncomfortable or nervous;
• a small number of movements may indicate fatigue, but also signals that it is necessary to consult a doctor.

1. It is at this time that a woman begins to notice large weight gains. This is absolutely normal phenomenon. The child begins to accumulate subcutaneous fat, gains weight and increases in height. Mom's appetite also increases. But experts do not advise gaining too much weight, as this can lead to stretch marks and weakening the tone of the uterus.
2. The expectant mother's breasts also continue to change in volume. The sensitivity of the nipples increases, the halo around them becomes a little larger and changes color to a darker one. Pregnancy at 21 weeks is accompanied by discharge small quantity colostrum, this is associated with fetal development. Doctors recommend placing wipes in your bra to avoid irritation and infection.
3. There may be slight pain in the abdominal muscles. This is due to active growth and does not pose a problem. At 21 weeks of pregnancy, you can already clearly see what is happening to the baby. From the side you can clearly see the baby's leg or butt.
4. At this stage, the uterus rises three centimeters above the navel, its distance to the pubis will be approximately 21 centimeters. This position slightly compresses the woman’s internal organs. The result may be slight shortness of breath when walking or heartburn. To avoid unpleasant phenomena, you need to master breathing techniques that will come in handy later.
5. WITH skin changes also occur, it takes on a somewhat bluish tint. This is due to the high quantitative level of estrogen in the blood. Do not be alarmed, this manifestation is considered absolutely normal for the gestation period; after childbirth, the skin color will return to normal.
6. The 21st week of pregnancy is accompanied by pain in the uterus, often the woman gets scared, not understanding what is happening. In medical practice, this phenomenon is known as “training” Breston-Hicks contractions. It is not at all dangerous either for the mother or for the unborn child, and speaks of the correct development of the fetus, rather than of any pathologies. The pain may be concentrated in the abdomen or radiate to the lower back. In the second case, you should bring this to the attention of a specialist. You should also be wary if your stomach begins to pull down or burst from the inside. At the same time, the stomach itself becomes very hard, as if it is starting to turn to stone. Pain in the legs or back may also occur. This happens due to the excess weight of the pregnant woman.
7. At this time, slight vaginal discharge is characteristic, due to the influence of progesterone. It is important to ensure that they do not change their concentration, do not have a curd base, and do not look like flakes. In all these cases, you must consult a doctor. This is especially important if there are signs of bleeding.
8. Various digestive disorders are possible: constipation or bloating. This is due to the pressure of the uterus on the internal organs. The gynecologist will recommend a remedy to solve this problem.
9. Insomnia often accompanies weeks 21-22; this condition can be caused by various reasons:

• frequent urination associated with pressure of the uterus on the bladder;
• unusual position during sleep;
• a psychological factor that is periodically present during pregnancy.

1. Hormonal changes in the body lead to increased growth of hair and nails. Hair growth may also occur in a place other than its intended location.
2. Often during this period, cramps appear at night, often due to a lack of calcium. Heavy stress on the legs can lead to varicose veins. To avoid this, pay attention to comfortable shoes and try not to overload your legs.
3. Fetal pressure often leads to the appearance of hemorrhoids, which are not serious and go away on their own after childbirth.

How the fetus develops at 21 weeks

It is important to remember that at 21 weeks of pregnancy the baby is only 19 weeks old, at this age the fetus begins intensive development and is very similar to a real baby. You can already sing songs and tell stories. It has been proven that children perfectly hear everything that is happening outside and are very fond of classical music.

Intensive weight gain occurs, but growth slows down a little. The baby receives nutrition from amniotic fluid, drinking up to 500g per day.

The child's eyes are still hidden behind his eyelids, and his entire body is covered with hair. At 20-21 weeks he is quite comfortable and spacious in the womb. Therefore, the baby loves to change positions, although he sleeps for almost twenty hours.

At this time, the child’s nervous system is already fully formed, many blood cells are working. The first ones appear taste preferences due to the taste buds on the tongue. The digestive organs develop.

The average weight of a child at 21 weeks is 340 g. This is an approximate parameter, since during pregnancy each fetus develops individually. Its size from crown to heels reaches 25 centimeters.

Nutrition for pregnant women

During this period, it is important to avoid overeating, since the baby is rapidly gaining weight and the mother’s appetite increases. It is better to diversify your diet with fish, meat, vegetables and fruits. There are dietary features during this period:

• freshly squeezed juices will provide maximum vitamins for a developing baby;
• to avoid constipation, introduce coarsely ground foods into your diet;
• to avoid heartburn, use fractional portions;
• try to avoid salty, smoked and fried foods;
• try to cook only by steaming;
• give up fast food products.

During this period, the child’s digestive system is actively developing; it cannot be harmed.

Sex at 21 weeks

During a normal pregnancy, there are no contraindications for sex. It all depends on the woman’s well-being.

During this period, the sensitivity of the erogenous zones intensifies, so sex can bring many pleasant sensations. The only thing you will have to experiment with a little is the appropriate poses, since the tummy already has quite noticeable volumes.

Possible risks of 21 weeks

The most undesirable symptoms of pregnancy at 21 weeks are considered to be the appearance of edema and colds, since these factors affect the development of the fetus.

The first problem can be dealt with by following simple rules:

• periodically lie with your legs up;
• take care of comfortable shoes;
• take contrast foot baths.

It’s more difficult with a cold, since this stage of pregnancy implies unwanted medication:

• The main thing is not to panic; 80% of women suffer from a cold during pregnancy. This is due to a decrease in immune functions.
• You definitely shouldn’t self-medicate. At the first symptoms, consult a doctor, warning him about your situation.
• If you do not have edema or a doctor's prohibition on drinking too much, try to drink as much tea with honey as possible.
• Do not use nasal drops, the principle of which is based on vasoconstriction. This will have a negative impact on the uterus and can cause miscarriage.
• During the onset of a cough, it is permissible to use inhalations. However, under no circumstances should you steam your feet or take hot baths. This is a direct threat of pregnancy failure at this stage.
• If you develop a fever, consult your doctor about which medication you can take.
• Do not stop taking your prescribed medications immediately after your symptoms stop. It is important to complete the entire course of treatment to avoid relapse of the disease. The doctor decides how much and when to take the medicine.

Examinations at 21 weeks of pregnancy

At this time, the expectant mother must undergo clinical blood and urine tests to monitor kidney function and detect anemia.

At 21 weeks of pregnancy, a second planned ultrasound is performed, which allows:

• determine gender;
• examine the quality of amniotic fluid;
• fix the position of the placenta;
• identify fetal diligence;
• determine the possible expectation of twins.

At each visit, the doctor should listen to the fetal heartbeat.

Ultrasound examination can make mistakes in determining the sex of the child. The main objective of this study is to agree on mass norms corresponding to the current month.

There are several moments that do not threaten the health of mother and baby, but are unpleasant.

1. Signs of anemia often appear during this period. To avoid this, add foods high in iron to your diet.
2. Try to avoid large numbers of people and avoid going to places that are potentially dangerous from the point of view of infection. Having caught even a simple cold, you will be significantly limited in treatment options.
3. At this stage of pregnancy, the belly is actively growing, as a result, the navel may prolapse, and the pregnant woman may also feel that the belly begins to periodically itch. You need to consult with a specialist, he will select a solution to the problem.
4. Often at this time moles appear on a pregnant woman. Do not rush to panic, it is possible that they will disappear after childbirth. Seek advice from a specialist.
5. Do gymnastics. Starting from the twentieth week, the stomach will actively grow, stretching the muscles. It is important for you to prepare for childbirth.
6. To avoid stretch marks, watch your diet. It is important at this stage to avoid overeating. You need to understand how much you will weigh after a week's time.

At 21 weeks of pregnancy, you need to reconsider your wardrobe:

• choose comfortable shoes, taking into account swelling;
• from now on, the belly will increase, consider options for loose clothing;
• pay attention to the bra, it should not tighten the chest;
• take care of sanitary pads, the release of colostrum will soon begin.

The following can help relieve back pain:

• contrast compresses;
• massage for pregnant women;
• compression stockings for legs;
• physical therapy for pregnant women.

You can ease the load on your legs:

• without straining too much during defecation, keep your feet on a small stand to relieve tension;
• Learn Kegel exercises to stimulate circulation;
• Warm sitz baths help a lot;