21 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

At 21 weeks, your baby is about the length of a carrot – around 26.7cm from head to toe. This is a period of major growth: between week 20 and week 24 your baby will double in weight. For the first time, your baby weighs more than the placenta.

Your baby is developing hair, eyebrows and that downy layer of hair (lanugo) that first started appearing a few weeks ago. That should be gone by the time your baby is born, or soon after. They can hear noises and voices outside the womb and will enjoy listening to you singing – even if no one else does!

Your baby’s movements are becoming more coordinated, so if you are feeling tiny kicks and prods, you’ll know they are practicing their moves in there.

Though the baby gets most of their nourishment from the placenta, they are also swallowing amniotic fluid, helping them develop that swallowing reflex. Apparently, the amniotic fluid tastes different depending what you’re eating, so there’s something to bear in mind. Maybe you can train your baby to have a varied palate from before they are born! (Though many parents of fussy toddlers would surely disagree!)

Your 21-week pregnant bump is home to a little hive of activity now that your baby is moving more and more. If you can feel them moving around, you might find you instinctively respond by communicating with your baby, which they will enjoy.

Cramp in your legs

In week 21, you might start to get sudden and painful cramps in your legs and feet. These are more common at night when your muscles are resting and relaxing and can be an indication that you need more magnesium in your diet. The first way to minimise these symptoms is to massage the affected area to relax your muscles again, and you should now try and eat foods rich in magnesium whenever you can, such as seeds, nuts and green, leafy vegetables.

Constipation and wind

You may have irregular bowel movements as a result of the pressure your womb is now putting on your intestine. Mostly this will cause constipation, but it’s not uncommon to experience painful wind as well.

The main way to avoid constipation and wind is to increase your fluid intake and reduce your consumption of the key suspects, such as cabbage, beans, garlic and onions, all of which can cause wind.

Urinary tract infections

As your pregnancy progresses, your pelvis will widen and open up, your muscles and joints will relax, and the mucous membranes in your body will become more sensitive. This makes it easier for bacteria and pathogens to get into your urethra, which may result in a bladder infection. 

Make sure you go to the toilet as often as necessary. Drinking lots of fluids is an effective way to avoid urinary tract infections, as it helps “wash out” your urinary organs (your bladder in particular) and reduces the amount of bacteria which may have got in there.

Eating for health

You're passing along your antibodies in your blood supply, helping to protect the baby from infection. When you're pregnant, your body is very efficient at absorbing nutrients from food, so you don’t need to eat for two - but it is a good idea to try to eat sensibly. Getting plenty of fibre, exercising and drinking enough fluids will help keep you regular, while eating ‘little and often’ – perhaps five small meals a day instead of three big ones – will make your food easier to digest.

The essential fatty acids found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna are very good for both you and your developing baby. (Unfortunately for tinned tuna fans, only fresh tuna counts in this regard – the canning process strips most of the nutritious oils out of the fish.)
However, some types of fish aren't recommended during pregnancy, so you might want to check our foods to avoid page.

Relieving anxiety

It’s natural to feel anxious during pregnancy. You’re taking on a lot of responsibility, and you’re about to experience an irreversibly life-changing event. On top of that you might have work worries, or concerns about how motherhood will alter your relationships. These worries can build up over time and you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed.

First of all, know that worrying about these things won’t harm the baby – you’re doing a great job of looking after them. Second, it’s really important that you’re not too hard on yourself. It’s not selfish, for example, to question what having a baby will do to your social life. Nor does worrying about what kind of parent you will be mean that you aren’t ready to be one. You’re going to be fine.

Here are ways in which you can relieve anxious feelings during pregnancy:

Finally, remember that sometimes feeling anxious is a result of taking on too much at one time, and not giving yourself enough time to rest and relax.

Try and make ‘mental rest’ a part of your daily routine – a time when you can switch your brain off, or let your thoughts wander, perhaps in combination with some gentle exercise, like stretching or walking.

Laser hair removal

Between the increase in hair growth brought on by pregnancy, and the knowledge that in a few months’ time you will be baring all to birth your baby, you might be tempted to try laser hair removal. However, though the procedure itself is generally considered to be safe, there have been no studies to determine the impact of laser hair removal on pregnant women, so the advice of health professionals is: don’t.

And honestly, when you’re in the labour ward, no one cares what you look like down there – or anywhere else! However, if you’re feeling really self-conscious, waxing is safe during pregnancy (though potentially more painful than usual due to your increased blood flow and more sensitive skin).

Skin bleaching is also not a good idea for sensitive pregnancy skin.

Feet elevation tips

You will probably notice that your feet are getting swollen at the end of the day, and the swelling might also be evident up your ankles and calves, as well as in your fingers and hands. This is normal, and a good sign to put your feet up when you’re chilling out in the evenings. It can help to lie all the way back to raise your legs above the level of your heart. If you try to put your feet up in a sitting position, you won’t necessarily get the benefit and you might aggravate your back.

‘Eating for two’ is a figure of speech

Now that you’re feeling hungrier, it’s important not to take the old ‘eating for two’ cliché to heart. Overeating can lead to health problems for both you and the baby – plus, your squashed-up digestive system won’t appreciate it!

Antenatal classes

Have you signed up for antenatal classes yet? You won’t usually begin these until the third trimester, but you should put your name down in plenty of time. There might even be an opportunity to get to know some of your classmates ahead of time, which would be nice.

Pregnancy massages

If you’re uncomfortable at 21 weeks pregnant, a pregnancy massage can help ease the stiffness in your muscles and give you an hour of me-time in which to really put your brain to bed. Many masseurs have special tables to accommodate your belly; just make sure you specify that you want a pregnancy massage when you book.

Getting baby’s nursery ready

It’s recommended that your baby sleeps in your room for the first six months of their life, so there’s no rush to try and get the nursery ready. However, it will be a useful space for nappy changes and storing clothes and things, so you might like to start thinking about what needs doing to prepare a room. If there is painting to be done, avoid solvent-based paints – or get someone else to do it, and ensure the house is well-ventilated! Save your money for big purchases (like a new car seat) and buy second hand nursery furniture where you can. You’ll be able to find some on second hand selling sites going for a song.

Planning the nursery can be exciting, and it’s lovely to look to Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. But don’t get too hung up on the ‘designer’ nursery and all that entails. Go with what’s practical for your lives, your house and your budget. If the baby’s nursery is a corner of your bedroom, that’s fine too. All they really need is you.

What is baby’s position at 21 weeks in the womb?

Baby won’t have settled into a fixed position in your uterus at this point. They’ve got plenty of room to wriggle, somersault and twirl around them, and if your stomach is all a-flutter, that’s probably exactly what they’re doing!

How many months in 21 weeks pregnant?

21 weeks pregnant is 5 months pregnant. More than halfway there, and only four months to go. Well done!

What is my baby doing at 21 weeks in the womb?

At 21 weeks, your baby is busy, busy, busy! They are learning to use their limbs – kicking, punching and swirling around in the amniotic sac. They can clench their little fists, suck their tiny thumb, drink and even wee! Their first poo (hopefully) won’t happen until after they are born. Your baby can hear you talking, and will respond to noises outside the womb. In short, they are preparing for life on the outside.

Can my baby feel me rub my belly at 21 weeks?

Yes, evidence suggests your baby will respond to touch at 21 weeks. Every belly rub is a treat for them and for you. You might even be able to feel their body through your skin.

How many calories a day should I eat at 21 weeks pregnant?

At 21 weeks pregnant your recommended daily calorie intake is the same as before you were pregnant – about 2000 calories a day. Try to get these from a healthy, balanced diet. It’s important that you don’t try to cut calories below 2000 calories a day during pregnancy. Dieting can harm your baby.

If you want to keep track of your weight gain, take a look at our weight chart.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.