Welcome to week 21 of your pregnancy! 🌼 As you progress through this remarkable journey, your little one is reaching significant milestones. Here's a glimpse into the fascinating developments occurring during this period:
- Active Movements: Your baby's movements, marked by kicks and turns, are becoming more pronounced, reflecting their growing strength. You may find these movements increasingly noticeable, akin to the graceful movements of a dancer.
- Reflex Development: The emergence of the sucking reflex is evident, with instances of your baby's hand reaching towards their mouth, potentially leading to adorable thumb-sucking moments observed during ultrasounds.
- Hiccup Occurrences: While it may cause brief jerking movements, your baby experiencing hiccups is a common occurrence, reflecting their developing physiological processes.
- Growth Progress: At approximately 1 pound and stretching to about 11 inches long, your baby is accumulating more fat under the skin for warmth, with discernible developments such as eyebrow formation.
- Sleep Patterns: Transitioning to more time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, your baby's brain activity intensifies during this stage. Additionally, the formation of unique fingerprints and footprints is underway.
- Skin Appearance: The baby's skin, with its reddish tint and wrinkled texture, is indicative of underlying blood vessel development, while ongoing lung maturation continues.
- Size Milestones: Visualizing your baby's growth, they are currently comparable in length to a carrot at the beginning of week 21, transitioning to the size of a small spaghetti squash by week 22, and progressing to the dimensions of a large grapefruit by week 23. By week 24, they will measure roughly the length of an ear of corn.
Isn't it astounding to witness these remarkable transformations? 🌟 Each week heralds new wonders, enriching this journey with awe-inspiring moments. Remember, your healthcare provider is readily available to address any concerns or inquiries you may have, ensuring your peace of mind throughout this magical experience.