Ultimate Guide for 21 to 25 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy is a really exciting time, with many milestones and markers to look forward to. Your child is growing and developing very fast. Here is a rundown of what your little one has been up to from the 21st to the 25th week. Remember that height, weight, and other statistics are simply averages. Your child will develop at his or her own speed.

Week 21

During the 21st week, your baby’s fingers, and toes, as well as her finger and toe prints, are fully formed. Your baby may be able to swallow now and then, and she may even have hiccups. These may appear as jerky, regular motions. Your infant can now swallow and has fine lanugo hair covering the majority of his body. Your baby will be around 7 1/2 inches long from head to toe and may weigh almost a whole pound by the end of this week.

Changes in your baby: In order to stay warm, your baby is constantly accumulating weight. The rate of growth is reducing, but the organs are still maturing. The vernix caseosa is a waxy layer made by your baby’s oil glands that cover the skin to keep it pliable in the amniotic fluid. Permanent tooth buds are starting to form in them. Your baby’s testes have formed but are still in his abdomen if he is a boy. During this time, your baby kicks and rotates vigorously. Your baby is roughly the same length as giant butternut squash, measuring 10.5 inches from head to heel.

Changes in Mother: Let us begin by congratulating you, mothers. The second half of your pregnancy begins this week. You are starting to come into your own. Stretch marks may appear on your breasts or tummy. Your uterus is beginning to protrude over the level of your navel. By now, you must have gained 10-14 pounds.

A new suggestion? Now is an excellent time to start looking for childbirth classes if you are interested.

Week 22

Although your baby’s eyelids remain closed, her eyes are moving behind them. Her tear ducts begin to form, and her brows may also begin to form. When your baby hears loud noises, she may move suddenly. Although your kid has a long way to go in terms of development, ultrasound photographs will begin to resemble what you might envision a baby to look like.

Changes in your baby: Every week, your baby’s muscles are becoming stronger, and his or her eyelids and brows are developing. Hair can also be seen. Your baby responds to sound, rhythm, and melody by moving around a lot. If you are willing to sing and talk to your baby now, know that such noises may help to calm him down later. Your baby’s ovaries have already been formed if she is a girl. Your baby is as long as an ear of corn from head to toe, that is 11 inches.

Changes in mother: Your uterus is still growing, and you are probably feeling quite okay or normal, there is no morning sickness during this time. Leg and foot cramps, as well as modest swelling of the ankles and feet, may persist. As your uterus pulls on your stomach, you may have greater heartburn. If you are having trouble staying cool, your pregnancy hormones are to blame. Carrying pregnancy weight can cause pain in your back, legs, and feet. If you feel your skin is dry and itchy, it is possible that moisturizing your breasts and belly can be of help.

A new suggestion? Consume additional calcium and potassium to alleviate cramps. Before sleep, drink a glass of milk or eat potassium-rich foods like grapefruits, oranges, and bananas. If you experience a leg cramp, maintain your leg straight and flex your toes back toward your face.

Week 23

Your kid may be able to recognize noises such as your voice now. You might feel your baby move if you chat with her. As your baby tries with movement in their extremities, you will likely feel a lot of kicks and jabs at this point. With months of intense care, babies delivered at 23 weeks can survive, but they may have certain problems.

Changes in your baby: Your baby’s skin is still kind of wrinkled because he or she is still gaining weight. The fine hair on their body, known as lanugo, can sometimes darken. Fingers and toes are fully formed, with fingerprints on their way. Hiccups may occur, creating jerking movements in the baby. The baby’s skin is still wrinkled and transparent at this time. Your baby is roughly the same length as a head of romaine lettuce, measuring 12 inches from head to toe.

Changes in the mother: You have most likely gained 12-15 pounds. You may also notice an increase in vaginal secretions while being pregnant, which are normally clear to yellowish in color and have a mild odor. Check with your health care physician if the colour or odour changes dramatically to see whether you have an infection. If you have pain in the small of your back, it is because your ligaments loosen in the preparation for birth, you may have more pain in your back and hips. It can help if you lie down, get massages, and apply a heating pad or a hot water bottle to the affected area. You may not need to pee as frequently as you did in the first trimester.

A new suggestion? Your skin may get dry and scratchy as it stretches. Using lotions or creams to keep it moist can help.

Week 24

Your baby’s muscles are still developing. Her hair may also begin to grow on her head. Although her lungs are fully developed, she is not yet ready to breathe outside the womb. She is around 12 inches long and could weigh a pound or more. Your baby is now 1 1/2 pounds and 1 foot long from head to toe. On the tongue, their taste buds are growing, and their fingerprints and footprints are almost complete.

Changes in baby: This is the age at which your baby is getting ready to survive outside of the womb. Your baby is beginning to produce white blood cells, which will aid in the fight against disease and infection, and he or she may respond to your touch or sounds. When your infant hears loud noises, they may become startled. You might feel the baby hiccup now if you have not already. Your baby is the size of a pineapple, measuring 12.5 inches in length and weighing 1.5 pounds.

Changes in mothers: This month, you should gain roughly around a pound per week. Between this week and 28th week, your health care practitioner may test you for gestational diabetes. It is typical to experience some slight cramping after intercourse or orgasm. As your belly grows, you may begin to feel unsteady when moving. As your body attempts to pump more blood, your heart rate may be greater now.

A new suggestion? If you try placing an ear to your abdomen, that person might be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat.

Week 25

As you enter the third trimester, your baby is rapidly growing. Her nervous system is developing pretty fast. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system. It assists your baby with moving, thinking, and feeling. Your baby gains weight, which causes her skin to become smoother and less wrinkled. Your baby’s startle reflex is maturing now. You might also observe that they have distinct rest and activity periods.

Changes in baby: Instead of being translucent, your baby’s skin has become opaque. Because it needs to grow into its skin, the baby’s body is still wrapped in folds. Heartbeats can be heard with a stethoscope or by someone placing an ear to your tummy, depending on the location of the baby.

Changes in mother: In addition to growing vertically, your uterus may be expanding on the sides of your abdomen. Increased blood flow, constipation, indigestion, and heartburn can all cause haemorrhoids. You will start to notice more kicks and rolls as your baby grows. Your uterus is around the size of a soccer ball at this point. Your breasts are growing faster now than they have been at any previous point during your pregnancy.

A new suggestion? Apply an ice pack or witch hazel to haemorrhoids, or try a sitz bath to relieve them (soaking your bottom in shallow warm water). Suppositories and/or medicated wipes are available over the counter. Avoid laxatives and mineral oil.

A summary of what is going on within you from week 21 to week 25:

Your baby’s finger and toe prints will be evident by the end of the sixth month. The eyes begin to open as the eyelids split. Your baby may move or increase his or her pulse in response to sounds, and you may now start to notice the baby hiccuping.