Find out the development of the fetus at 21 weeks of age

The article was professionally consulted by a Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

The 21-week-old fetus is an extremely important period of development for the baby. At this time, the facial contours are gradually becoming clearer such as lips, eyes, face... The best thing is that at this time the baby can already hear the mother's voice. The activities in the womb of the baby also become more "exciting", so mothers need to pay a little attention at this important time.

Entering the 21st week of pregnancy, your baby has reached a size of about 24.7 cm and weighs about 400 g. The size is as small as a pomegranate but has begun to take the shape of a baby. Facial features such as lips, eyelids and eyebrows have become more defined and even tiny tooth buds beneath the gums have begun to form.

At this stage, the baby's eyes are not open yet, but they can still distinguish between light and darkness and respond clearly to light. Your baby's nerve pathways have expanded and his heartbeat is more regular. In your baby's belly, the developing pancreas is responsible for making several important hormones.
You may not know, at 21 weeks, the taste of amniotic fluid will change according to the food that you choose to eat. Therefore, whatever the mother eats, the baby will also be tasted through the amniotic fluid in the womb. Your baby's digestive system is still being perfected to prepare for life outside, so the amount of meconium increases significantly this week. To protect and help the baby move easily in the amniotic fluid environment, the whole body of the baby is covered with a white fat-like substance called the amniotic fluid. Most babies are born with a layer of causative agent on their body.
During 21 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's activities in the womb become more "exciting" with strong kicks and nudges. This is the period when the baby will actively move and swim in the amniotic fluid. In addition, the baby can hear almost any sound thanks to the fully developed inner ear bones. The mother's emotions in this stage are extremely important because the baby can distinguish and feel the happiness, sadness, anger... from the mother.

When the fetus is 21 weeks old, the mother's belly will grow noticeably. You will feel more frequent headaches caused by pregnancy hormones. Besides, vaginal discharge is more, white or clear, usually liquid and odorless.
Mom will have a more and more distinct feeling of being connected to her baby thanks to the movements of the baby in the womb. The most important thing in this process is that you need regular check-ups to make sure your baby is developing on schedule.

Due to the increased weight, the uterus puts pressure on the uterus, increasing blood flow leading to varicose veins. Your legs and feet swell at the end of the day, but don't worry because this is caused by changes in blood levels.
During this period, the mother begins to appear stretch marks on the abdomen because the belly skin stretches to adjust to the size of the baby. These stretch marks can appear on the buttocks, thighs, hips and breasts. Besides, the skin will secrete more oil and be more prone to darkening, so you should pay attention to avoid the sun to protect your skin.

At 21 weeks pregnant, the mother needs to add iron to the body because the baby now needs enough iron to make red blood cells. Mother should eat foods rich in iron such as: lean red meat, pork, fish, iron-fortified cereals, spinach...
Mother should not drink tea and coffee because it will limit the steaming process. gastric acid collection and secretion. Instead, you need to drink enough 6-8 glasses of water a day and add less sweet fruits such as oranges, coconut water...
Don't forget to eat lots of green vegetables every day to supplement the necessary B vitamins for body
21 weeks pregnant mother, remember to have regular prenatal check-ups and should visit with leading doctors with high expertise to take care of mother and baby comprehensively. Vinmec Hospital with a team of leading pediatricians with many years of experience is a reliable address to protect the health of mother and fetus. The list of experienced pediatricians at Vinmec includes:
List of Pediatricians - Neonatology - Department of Neonatology Vinmec International General Hospital Hanoi List of Pediatricians - Neonatology - Department of Neonatology Vinmec International General Hospital Ha Long, Quang Ninh List of Pediatricians - Neonatology - Department of Neonatology Vinmec International General Hospital Hai Phong List of Pediatricians - Neonatologists - Neonatology Department of International General Hospital Vinmec Phu Quoc List of Pediatricians - Neonatology- Department of Neonatology Vinmec International General Hospital Da Nang List of Pediatricians - Neonatology- Department of Neonatology Vinmec International General Hospital Nha Trang List of Pediatricians - Neonatology- Department of Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, City. In addition, now, at Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a service package "PAYTERY PACKAGE", including prenatal care, prenatal care and postpartum care. In addition to a team of leading medical doctors, Vinmec also provides the world's most advanced equipment system and has comprehensive professional cooperation with the most prestigious hospitals in Vietnam and developed countries: Singapore , USA, Japan... Vinmec International General Hospital is the perfect address to take care of mother and baby health, so you can rest assured to protect your baby.