Being in Week 21 of your pregnancy means that you have now entered into the second half of this wonderful experience! This week we’ll be taking the time to find out why Mom is looking a little puffy, as well as just what Baby is hiding in there.
MOM
You may find that at this stage of your pregnancy, you are experiencing swelling of the legs, especially your ankles, after you’ve been on your feet for a while. Don’t be alarmed, you are not packing on the pounds from your toes upwards! The swelling in your ankles is known as oedema, and occurs as a result of the excess blood and fluid which is currently circulating through your pregnant body. Another symptom which you might find yourself experiencing right now is leg cramps. The excess blood and fluid in your body is a contributing factor to this discomfort as well.
You should by now have become aware of your body and its needs. As you continue to grow and your body comes under more and more strain, you may find that you tire more easily. It is perfectly alright to take a break from time to time! Put your feet up – you’ll be getting rid of those swollen ankles at the same time too.
You should be attending your next monthly practitioner appointment soon. This appointment should be a fairly routine affair, as the doctor will simply be making sure that everything is progressing smoothly.
BABY
Though it was possible to see whether your baby is a boy or girl at sixteen weeks, now would be a better time to find out – if you want to, that is! Many babies, however, have an uncanny knack of covering the important bits at the most inopportune times, so the choice really is the baby’s in the end.
At approximately 360 grams, your baby will be practicing his or her motor skills more often – as the amniotic fluid is a great place to explore arm and leg movements. It is also still fairly easy for your baby to stretch out, so he or she will be taking the opportunity to do just that.
DAD
Dad, did you know that your baby is starting to be able to distinguish voices? A deeper male voice is easier for your child to recognise than a higher pitched female voice. So now would be a good time to start conversing with “the bump” in order to have your baby grow close to you.
That’s it for Week 21 of your pregnancy. Next week Dad is in for another treat, while Mom and Baby continue to do what they have been doing best – namely growing. Until then, enjoy the start of the second half of your pregnancy.
If you're feeling creative, why not write a poem for your unborn child. You can include it in your pregnancy journal or scrapbook.
A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die. Mary Mason
Feathering the Nest: Tracy Hutson's Earth-Friendly Guide to Decorating Your Baby's Room by L. G. Mansfield and Tracy Hutson. Tracy Hutson is an acclaimed interior designer. Shes also the loving mother of two little boys. When designing their bedroom, she knew precisely what she wanted: a nursery that would be mentally stimulating yet emotionally comforting. A place that would maximize safety, shielding adventurous toddlers from harm. And a room that would be built and decorated with a healthy dose of environmental responsibility. In Feathering the Nest, Hutson shares her passion for creating childrens spacesputting her guiding principles into practice for four different styles of nursery design: vintage, contemporary, traditional, and international. Featuring stories and photos of actual childrens rooms from around the country, Feathering the Nest focuses on the essential components of nursery design, including the special touches that make a room your childs very own.
Girls:
Katrina
Kayla
Kaytlin
Keana
Boys:
Kole
Kylan
Lee
Len
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