21 Weeks Pregnant - Trimester 2

BABY DEVELOPMENT

Though your little one doesn’t need to make use of them in their current home – your baby’s senses of taste and smell continue developing this week. Your amniotic fluid carries the aromatic molecules from the food you eat and the smell of your environment to them! Thus, at birth, your baby will already be attracted to the smell of your skin, your milk, sweet taste (because the amniotic fluid is slightly sweet) and may even be familiar later on with foods you consumed regularly in late pregnancy. Soon, their brain will be mature enough for them to memorise these sensory experiences. Your eating habits, if you like Mediterranean food with lots of garlic for example, can already be introduced to your baby, in utero.

At 21 weeks, your baby is around the size of a coconut and their sense of taste and smell are developing. They can start smelling what's around them through their amniotic fluid.

YOUR BODY

At this stage of pregnancy, your baby floats in plenty of amniotic fluid, which is replenished often. You may now understand why drinking plenty of water is important.  Your respiration pattern changes too. Your breathing becomes more frequent and at times, you may seem out of breath. This may be due to the gain in weight but also it is a space issue, as your baby grows, your organs have less and less room.  If you have any concerns about your breathing, be sure to consult with your health care professional.

NUTRITION

Another important nutrient – especially for women that are pregnant and following a vegan diet - is Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and cheese and is needed for the production of red blood cells, and general growth and development.  Vegans can find it in Vitamin B12-fortified foods, such as some breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast, check the food package. Be sure to inform your health care professional if you are following a vegan diet, and they may have additional suggestions.

TIPS

Indigestion been getting you down lately? It is an unpleasant and quite common side effect of pregnancy. Hormonal changes and a growing baby place more pressure on the stomach and stomach valve making it easier than usual for stomach acid to get into the oesophagus and that causes the uncomfortable feeling you’ve been experiencing. The larger the child, the more they press on the stomach and increases this effect!

A change in eating habits can often be helpful: try smaller more regular meals a day instead of three large ones. Make sure you chew thoroughly. Another trick if you suffer from indigestion at night is to prop up your head and shoulders so the acid cannot rise up so easily.