Pregnancy calendar - week #21

Pregnant mothers - week #21

How old were those wives anyway?

Are you the mom who wants to know baby's sex before he or she is born? Are you sitting on pins and needles with anticipation, waiting for a revealing ultrasound? There are many folkloric ways people try to guess baby's sex. For example, if it's a boy:

• A ring held over your belly moves in circles
• You crave savories
• You had minimal morning sickness early in pregnancy
• Your feet are colder than they were pre-pregnancy

If it's a girl:

• A ring held over your belly moves side to side
• You crave sweets
• You are moody during pregnancy

Whether you choose to believe these old wive's tales or not, they can be a lot of fun!

Now that you're over the half way mark, it's a good time to tell you again about the importance of exercise during pregnancy. Making a baby is probably the most important thing your body will ever go through. That being said, exercise and staying active will make this time even better for you. Here are some great benefits of exercising during pregnancy:

• Can keep symptoms like varicose veins, aches and pains, and above normal weight gain to a minimum
• Increases flexibility. The body naturally tenses up during pregnancy, so stretching and staying active will make you feel better and prepare you for labor
• Reduces constipation
• Prepares your body for birth
• Helps you get your pre-pregnancy body back faster

It's important to know that pregnancy isn't the time to start a rigorous exercise plan. If you haven't already talked about this with your doctor, do so. He or she will probably suggest a gradual plan for you.

As you get bigger and birth gets closer, you may be wondering if sex is considered safe now. It´s important to know that sex is considered safe in all stages of pregnancy, as long as your pregnancy is normal. That being said, fluctuating hormones and other changes happening in your body may make you feel like you don´t want it.

Baby and fetal development - week #21

Drink up!

A baby´s digestive system isn´t fully developed until almost a year old. In fact, babies shouldn´t be consuming anything other than breastmilk or formula for their first six months. Right about now in pregnancy, baby´s intestines have started to develop. The intestines are able to absorb small amounts of sugar that comes from the amniotic fluid. The digestive track is practicing!

Your baby is about 10 inches long now. Weighing in at about 13 ounces, she is about the weight of a regular-sized bottle of shampoo.

Pregnant dads - week #21

The good ol' days.

The second trimester is usually the best for mom. She's over morning sickness, and isn't yet so big that she's uncomfortable. Enjoy these 'glory days' of pregnancy. Do things together now before it's more difficult.