At 21 weeks pregnant, you’re in your second trimester and about halfway through your pregnancy now (as pregnancy is considered to be full term if your baby is born between 39 weeks and 40 weeks and six days). While no two pregnancies are the same, some people report feeling pretty different once they enter the second trimester. For example, your symptoms may change, you may feel a bit more energetic, and you’ll likely notice that your bump is growing.
This can be an exciting time but also a little daunting. As you check off the weeks of your pregnancy, you may be mentally preparing for your baby’s arrival more and more. While your symptoms may have changed, your body is still undergoing some major developments. To help you understand what’s going on with your body and your baby at 21 weeks pregnant, a Flo expert outlines some of the things you might experience.
Your baby at 21 weeks pregnant
Baby can suck
At 21 weeks pregnant, your baby’s organs and bodily systems are continuing to develop, and they’re developing functions that will help them in the outside world. While they won’t need to suck and grasp anything while they’re in the uterus, they develop the ability to do this around 21 weeks. Babies use these skills during feeding once they’re born.
Gaining weight
You might have noticed that your bump has grown considerably throughout your second trimester. This is partially due to the fact that your baby has been gaining weight and getting bigger. Your baby may not have a lot of fat at this time, and they may still look a little bit wrinkled, but over the coming weeks and months, they will continuously gain weight.
How big is a baby at 21 weeks?
Length (crown to heel): 27.4 cm or 10.8 in.
Weight: 399 g or 14.1 oz
Size: Equivalent to a banana.
All measurements are approximate and vary within the normal range.