In the video for the 21st week of pregnancyOn meinhaushalt.at, important information and tips for pregnancy in week 21 are presented.
You are now in the 6th month of Pregnancy. In the 21st week of pregnancy, the child now weighs around 330g and is 25 cm tall in total. Deep inside the uterus, enveloped by the comfortably warm amniotic fluid, the fetus now experiences distinct sleep and wake phases. As long as the mother is moving, the baby is gently rocked back and forth and can therefore sleep perfectly well.
The child spends a total of 16-20 hours a day sleeping in your belly, because those who sleep a lot can also grow and thrive wonderfully. However, when you lie down to sleep, the rocking movements stop and your child becomes lively. By now, your partner or other people present can also see and feel the child's movements. However, if you have an anterior placenta, this phenomenon will only be observable later.
Your baby in the 21st week of pregnancy
Although the child in your belly is well protected by the amniotic fluid, this does not mean that it is unaware of life outside and inside your body. During the pregnancy it is surrounded by sounds and vibrations: for example, it hears the rushing of your blood, the gurgling of your stomach, your voice and that of the father, music, traffic noise, and other sounds that also surround you. The child hears so much of what you hear, perhaps even gets startled when you feel startled by noise – so you really experience many things together.
Your child is now protected by a fine, white substance: the so-called vernix caseosa. This is secreted by the sebaceous glands and its main function is to protect your child from skin infections. In addition, this substance makes it easier for the child to pass through the birth canal. After birth, a little vernix caseosa can often still be found in the skin folds. It is best to rub this in gently, as this substance is a perfect protection for sensitive baby skin even after birth.
Even if the child were to be born now in an emergency, it would have very good chances of survival under today's medical circumstances, but it can be said without hesitation that the time is not yet ripe. The baby still needs to grow a bit more to survive and prepare for the upcoming birth. The lungs are not yet sufficiently developed, so the fetus would have to be ventilated. The best place is and remains your belly.
An occasional pulling in the right or left lower abdomen will surprise you from time to time. Do not worry, however; the uterus must constantly adapt to the rapid growth of the child. Perhaps you are already noticing a short-term hardening of the uterus – these are normal contractions, also known as pregnancy contractions, which you do not need to be concerned about. The body is now practicing for the real thing from time to time.
Connect with your baby
Feel free to connect with your child from time to time. Place both hands on your slowly growing belly, talk to it, or even tell it stories. It has already been proven that unborn babies in the womb can distinguish their parents' voices very well and find them very soothing after birth.
Slender women can already feel the child through the abdominal wall at the end of the 6th month of pregnancy; for slightly heavier women, it may take a little longer. You do not need to be afraid that you could harm your child by feeling it. The child is very well protected in the uterus from bumps or similar things.
Read also: Video on week 22 of pregnancy, week 22
