Week 21: Sugar, Sugar

Welcome to week 21! Hopefully, you’ve been enjoying feeling your baby’s movements these past weeks, and hopefully, your partner has as well! Starting this week and continuing to the point of labour, you may begin to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. These are sporadic and inconsistent tightenings of your stomach. You may feel your stomach harden or see it tense. These contractions do not increase in intensity or frequency but are just signs that your uterus is training for labour. Some women don’t feel these tightenings; others find them uncomfortable. Active labour is different from Braxton Hicks contractions, contractions in active labour increase in frequency and intensity. Contractions in active labour do not disappear with rest. As you learn more about your body, you will learn to trust it more and know when something is different or wrong. Know where to go and who to contact if you experience any concerns.

Your baby is 21 weeks! His sensory organs are now differentiated, and the first sense to develop is taste! Your baby is actively swallowing the amniotic fluid and producing more urine to replenish the fluid levels. As he swallows, he learns to distinguish between different flavours. Oddly enough, the amniotic fluid can change taste depending on your diet. So you may be able to tell by all those dance moves if your little one also enjoyed your meal!