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Central General Practice
Repulse Bay
Clearwater Bay
BodyWorX Clinic
Central Specialist Clinic
MindWorX Clinic
Partner Clinics
Family Clinic
OT&P Annerley Midwives Clinic
At A Glance
If you eat well, your baby eats well
Baby swallows amniotic fluid while swimming in your belly and can taste it. If you eat well and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegtables, your baby will eat well too!
Stretch marks
Before using any stretch mark products, always consult your midwife or obstetrician first. Some products may contain ingredients that can be harmful to you and your baby.
Traveling with baby
Airlines generally only allow pregnant women to fly if they are less than 36 weeks pregnant. If you have a low risk pregnancy, now is the perfect time to travel. Please consult your obstetrician for advice!
Taste development
Babies at this stage can suck, grasp, and even burp. Their taste buds are also well developed so they can taste the food you are eating when they swallow the amniotic fluid.
Physical coordination
Your baby is getting stronger every day! Cartilage is turning into bone, and the limbs are now coordinated thanks to neurons that have connected to control them.
Hair is growing
As your baby grows, his or her arms and legs start to look in proportion to the rest of the body. At the same time, soft hair and eyebrows start to grow on the head.
Your Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 21
At 21 weeks pregnant, you're now in the middle of your second trimester. Most of the discomfort and early pregnancy symptoms have diminished, but even with a more comfortable second trimester, there are still some symptoms to be aware of. Be sure to keep an eye out for any new or worsening symptoms, and talk to your midwife or obstetrician if anything seems off.
Stretch marks
As your baby continues to grow, your skin isn't able to keep up with the rate of growth. This can cause the connective tissue in the dermis to break, forming stretch marks. The timing of when stretch marks appear varies from person to person, but they're usually seen during the second or third trimester. They're more common on the abdomen and breasts, but can also appear on the buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks can be managed by careful application of moisturisers but always consult your obstetrician or midwife first a some products may contain ingredients that can be harmful to you and your baby, such as retinol.
Varicose veins
Pregnancy can put a lot of pressure on your legs, and an enlarged uterus can compress the veins in your pelvis, which can lead to varicose veins in your legs and vulva.
Calf cramps
Leg cramps during pregnancy are often experienced by expectant mothers during periods of rest or sleep. They can be caused by a lack of calcium and are usually resolved by consuming foods or drinks that are high in calcium or taking a calcium supplement.
Worsening constipation
Pregnant women’s progesterone levels remain high, which can lead to worsening constipation. The best way to avoid any adverse effects is by consulting a doctor before taking any medication or laxatives. Pregnant women should also remember to stay hydrated and eat foods that are high in fiber.
