Your Pregnancy at Week 21

By week 21, your hormone levels will likely even out, allowing you to experience more mood stability throughout the day.

Most pregnant individuals have gained about 13 to 15 pounds by week 21. Swollen, hurting, or cramping legs and feet are normal. As your body continues gaining weight to support your little one's growth, you may notice your ankles growing sore, experience leg cramps, or see varicose veins. These discomforts, thankfully, usually subside after pregnancy (though any varicose veins may linger longer or fade into less visible varicose veins).

If you're nervous about the number on your home scale, stop weighing yourself. Okay, all joking aside, if you eat healthy, drink lots of water, and exercise moderately (because your doctor approved this activity), the scale's number does not matter. What truly matters is you and your growing baby (or babies) are healthy. Your little one weighs more now. The placenta, your uterus, the amniotic fluid, and your awesome, voluptuous breasts weigh more now. So relax and put your feet up, especially if you're near the end of your day because your feet and ankles are likely swollen. Drinking water can decrease the swelling you experience, which is another reason to stay hydrated throughout the day.

As the third trimester draws near, your symptoms could be a sign of things to come. Fortunately, hopefully you're still experiencing a bit of the golden phase of pregnancy, taking advantage of any energy, patience, sexual desire, and free time whenever you have it. Here is a list of symptoms you may experience this week.

Fetal movement: this exciting symptom is one you’ve probably been waiting for! Enjoy feeling your little one’s flutters, as they will soon become sharp jabs and kicks as they quickly run out of space in the womb.

Bloating, gas, and/or constipation: pregnancy isn’t always glowing radiance. As your digestive system slows in response to increased progesterone causing your muscles to relax, you may experience bloating and gas (from both ends!).

Swollen ankles and feet: some swelling is normal and expected during pregnancy, but it’s best to keep an eye on any sudden changes so your healthcare provider can ensure there isn’t anything to be concerned about.

Leg cramps: increased blood volume and stress from increasing weight can put pressure on your leg muscles, causing cramps. Dehydration or low calcium may also be to blame, so check your prenatal vitamin to be sure you are getting enough!

Thicker hair and stronger nails: this side effect of changing hormones and prenatal vitamins can be most welcome! Enjoy!

Heartburn and/or indigestion: as your baby continues to grow and press on internal organs, your digestive system is likely to feel the impact of cramped quarters. This, paired with continuing hormone fluctuations can result in heartburn or indigestion. Talk to your medical care provider about options for relief if you’re feeling too uncomfortable.

Headaches: between hormone changes and increased blood volume, headaches are a common pregnancy occurrence. Talk to your doctor about safe pain relief options that may offer some comfort.

Stretch marks: there are many skin changes throughout pregnancy, and itchy stretch marks is just one of them! As your baby continues to grow and your body grows to accommodate, your skin may experience stretching, leaving marks and causing discomfort. You can utilize lotions and creams to soothe irritated skin; but stretch marks are largely genetic and not something you should feel guilty for not “preventing”. 

Dry, itchy skin: hormone fluctuations and stretching from growth can both cause itchy skin. Staying hydrated and using moisturizer are the best ways to combat this symptom during pregnancy. Avoid being in the sun for extended periods of time, and wear sunscreen when you are outside. 

Backaches:  aches and pains are an uncomfortable, albeit normal, part of pregnancy. Avoid staying in the same position for too long, stay hydrated, and talk to your doctor about safe pain relief options that may offer some comfort.

Frequent nighttime wakings: between getting up to use the bathroom, leg cramps, shortness of breath, and even heartburn– you may be struggling to get a decent amount of sleep during the night. 

Take a side profile pregnancy and write in your pregnancy journal. Speaking of pregnancy photos, if you're considering a maternity photo shoot, it's time to get it scheduled on your calendar!

To help prevent, minimize, or deal with varicose veins and swelling during pregnancy, put on compression socks or support hose first thing in the morning. You can also wear a belly belt throughout the day to help with edema or discomfort in the ankles or legs and elevate your legs on a pregnancy support pillow at night, or when sleeping. This will increase circulation in your legs, which often relieves and lessens varicose veins, cramping, and edema. You should also be sleeping on your side by week 21.

Don't sit in personal disappointment if you can't keep up with the schedule you used to! It's important to listen to your body and rest, or stretch, if you need to. Your body is going through some amazing changes, and it deserves some time to relax as needed!

Last week, we talked about working with your partner to choose a name. If you've found a name that passes the partner test, take our best advice: If you don't want to know what people really think, don't share your baby's name until you have a fully formed, birthed baby to show with it. People won't hesitate to tell you about the hideous girl from their college dorm named Blahblahblah, who had serious body odor and pretended to sleepwalk up and down their dorm's hallway in the middle of the night.

Have you settled on how you'll spell your baby's name? How does it look when you write it out on paper? Will you or your child get embarrassed when their name is called out at a sporting event, or in a grocery store? Will your baby's initials spell out anything you might wish it wouldn't when only initials are used, as Farrah Anna Timber's and Nathan Udolph Thompson's might? Will the full spelling of the name incite future teachers and school administrators to grossly mispronounce your child’s name on the first day of every school year and at every social gathering?