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21 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Your baby's movements are more noticeable, and the taste buds are working.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby's taste buds are forming, and what you eat can change the flavour of the amniotic fluid your baby swallows. The bone marrow has started to make blood cells, taking over from the liver and spleen.
Your baby is getting stronger and making more distinct movements, such as kicks, rolls and stretches. The eyebrows and eyelids are now fully formed.
How you may be feeling
You may feel your baby move at different times of the day, often when you are resting. Stretch marks might begin to appear, and your skin may feel itchy. Your ankles and feet can swell, particularly in warm weather or after a long day.
Your to-do list for week 21
- Put your feet up when you can and drink plenty of water. Gentle movement also helps swelling.
- Moisturise your tummy, hips and thighs if the skin feels tight or itchy. Creams may not prevent stretch marks, but they can ease itching.
- Eat iron-rich foods such as beans, lentils, leafy greens, red meat and fortified cereals, with vitamin C to help absorption.
- Think about your leave and childcare options.
When to ask for help
Sudden, severe swelling of the face, hands or feet, especially with a headache or vision changes, needs urgent assessment. Call your maternity unit.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: pregnancy weight gain calculator and baby shower planner.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.