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21 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
When you are pregnant with multiples or twins at 21 weeks, you can tell yourself that you are pretty much in the final league of the journey. The approaching due date will begin to revolve inside your head and make itself known by the substantial progress you’ll see in these couple of weeks. Although things might start making you tired and exhausted a little more than before, all of these are essential in changing your body to accommodate the massive events that are going to occur within some months. Taking proper care of your self and keeping track of the development of your children can keep you a step ahead in all aspects.
The Growth of the Babies at 21 Weeks
With the halfway point way behind you now, the babies also begin to realise that they need to catch up with their growth and keep themselves ready to survive in the outside world. Most of the progress is focused on ensuring all those systems are functioning appropriately.
Food is the key to survival and this also becomes one of the top priorities for the growth of the babies in this week. The digestive system, having appropriately developed, initiates its processing and begins attempts at digesting the food. This is precisely where the black coloured meconium is formed inside the baby and stays there until it is flushed out in the baby’s first poop. The initial digestion processes within the child also generate enzymes and acids to support the function correctly.
The digestive development also reiterates itself to strengthen further the tendency of consuming food. The acts of sucking and swallowing also progress rapidly, as your babies tend to take in a lot more amniotic fluid and may even prefer sucking on their thumbs more than usual. All of these are the methods which assure the body that it is fit to survive outside.
With all these inputs focused on food and digestion ensuring that it can be synthesised, the excretory systems within the babies also begin to function at a higher degree. Kidneys and urinary organs start to process the amniotic fluid that the babies intake and flush it outside again. This is a cycle of sorts that orients the body’s functioning in the right manner.
Apart from these, the endocrinal system and the spleen begin working too, while the muscles and bone structure continues to develop speedily.
What is The Size of the Babies?
Around the 21st week of pregnancy, doctors usually start measuring the babies from head to toe, since their bodies would have begun to stretch themselves properly. This often puts children at a length of approximately 25 centimetres and would be lesser for multiples. Similarly, the weight also seems to be closer to 250-300 grams and can fluctuate for twins or triplets. Your little ones would now be as large as carrots inside your tummy.
Common Bodily Changes
The 21st week of pregnancy is one of the key milestones biologically since it provides a strong signal for the babies as well as the mother to begin adjusting to the upcoming changes before delivery.
Although being so far deep into your pregnancy would have rid you of most anxiety and worry surrounding your babies, your body is still getting used to numerous changes happening within it. The only issue in the matter of the changes is that they are rarely in sync with each other, causing you to handle one after the other. While you may be looking forward to resting in the afternoon, you might be grappled with thoughts around your future and any other aspects concerning the babies. And if you finally end up being successful in putting yourself to sleep, your bladder will perk up and cause you to awaken and make your way to the loo for a random pee time in the middle of the night. Insomnia can strike many women in such situations, making them extremely restless.
If the creation of life for a woman is one of the mysterious processes, the cravings that ensue as a result of it might come as a close second. You might be well aware of the food items you wish to gobble and binge on in these previous months. However, as your little ones begin to initiate their digestion processes, these cravings could either stay the same or might sway entirely in a different direction. The babies now have a direct line to your food consumption via the amniotic fluid. Therefore, if their choices of food differ from yours, there is a good chance your body will signal you to have what the baby wants, which can get confusing.
That thick milky coloured discharge that keeps coming out from your vagina will continue to do so even through this week or maybe some more. While some women expect it to reduce, there usually isn’t the possibility for it. The discharge tends to increase up until you deliver your child since this is the perfect way the body ensures a hygienic vagina and a clean birth canal to keep the baby safe when it travels through it.
Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy at 21 Weeks
On one hand, you might be saying goodbye to the previous symptoms that you had initially. But from the 21st week, the teaser for what might arrive in the final trimester might begin to reveal itself to you.
Many women who are pregnant for the first time, and that too with twins or triplets, tend to freak out when they feel contractions early on in the pregnancy. Some women experience slight ones as soon as in the 17th week, while many tend to experience them from here on out. These contractions are termed as Braxton Hicks contractions. Usually lasting around half a minute or so, any change in orientation or positions tends to fade them away. Just the way the babies are practising different bodily functions, these contractions are your body’s way of exercising the process of childbirth
The uterus has only one job which it continues to do without any interruption. It goes on expanding to make room for all the babies that will soon be jostling for space inside it with their speedy growth. This expansion has also to be accommodated by your skin, which ends up in stretching and pulling itself. Stretch marks, which might have been only in a couple of body regions, might start being visible in other places, too. At times, these could even irritate the skin and causing itching, which can be taken care of with a light massage.
Yes, your breasts will also increase in size with your tummy, now that they know that your due date is approaching in a few months. While the growth usually reaches its full completion around the 24th week, early lactation might commence right now causing you to spot leaks around your nipples or in your bra intermittently.
Twin Pregnancy - Belly at 21 Weeks
Have you been waiting for that beautiful pregnant belly that you keep seeing in advertisements or elsewhere on the Internet? Well, you are in the initial phases of those as your tummy will now begin to resemble more like it in the coming weeks. In the case of multiple babies, since the skin stretches extensively, certain movements of the babies might be visible occasionally.
Twin Pregnancy at 21 Weeks - Ultrasound
Any ultrasound scans that were skipped in the previous week would be completed this week around, along with all the tests and checkups. Your babies would be visible very clearly, with occasional moments where you could see them swallowing and moving around, too.
What to Eat?
The 21st week of pregnancy marks an important juncture in your dietary style. With the babies having taste buds of their own and pretty much consuming what you eat, every flavour that you taste, your baby ends up tasting too. This may create the bedrock for eating habits ahead in life. Which is why it is necessary to stick to healthy food items and stay away from anything that might be a bit too intense in smell or flavour.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Most of the changes that occur in the 21st week of the pregnancy with multiple babies usually revolves around taking good care of your own body and setting up a habit routine to suit the latter months.
Dos
Undertake a screening test for glucose if you can to check for any conditions in advance
Organize a baby shower or celebration if you can, since this would be one of those weeks where you’d still have your energy intact
Dont's
Binging on sweets should be a no-no since those could affect your baby as well as ruin the dental hygiene
There’s no need to stop exercising entirely but you can tone down the intensity by this week
What you Need to Shop For
Knowing that your babies are in sync with your progress, you can go a step ahead and purchase some necessary items, such as:
A moisturiser or a stretch mark cream for your skin
Paraphernalia for the babies right from shampoos to baby oil and so on
The development of twins at 21 weeks pregnant tends to take a speedy curve up ahead and pick up its pace from this week. Reassure yourself that you will be ready for the babies when they arrive and keep your mental and physical health optimal to be at your best when the time comes.
Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 20
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 22 Read more
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Do Babies Dream Know More About Your Little One's Bedtime Adventures
There is a chance you did not notice this, but your baby sleeps a lot during the first months. A one-week-old baby will sleep for 16 hours a day and even after 12 months, the baby will sleep for 13 hours. During this time do infants dream? Yes, she will definitely be dreaming a lot! Many experts point out that dreams must happen since babies spend a lot of time in REM sleep as the capacity for dreaming is there. There are others who think that we cannot compare the baby’s REM totals to an adult’s. Most of the growth and development experienced by the baby during the early years of his life happens during the sleep. So during the REM sleep, the brain is occupied with developing new neural pathways, and due to this, there is very little power left over for dreaming. This can also cause sleep regressions.
Do Babies Dream More Than Adults?
Each one of us goes through sleep cycles. That stage when we first start to fall asleep is called the light sleep. At this stage, it is easier for us to wake up. After this stage, we move into a deeper sleep where the brain rests and recovers. Then we go back up to the light sleep again. This sleep cycle will take about 90 minutes. Dr Alan Greene, professor of Paediatrics at Stanford University, explains that even babies need to sleep in order to restore their bodies and brains. But the babies sleep cycles are shorter compared to adults, and they move from light to deep sleep every 50 minutes.
Dreams happen in the light sleep, and since babies have more periods of this light sleep, they tend to dream more than adults.
What May Babies Dreams About?
We don’t know for certain to what do newborn babies dream about since there is no way of asking them, but according to Professor Greene dreams do help babies make sense of their experiences. We all know that when the baby is in the womb, she can hear and smell, and even during this time in the womb, she processes her amniotic world and tries to make sense of most of it. Even after the baby is born, these processes are still carried out since everything around her is new and overwhelming.
Dr Greene also explains that even if we do not know what she is dreaming about, we can still have some clues of what kind of dreams she is having. You can figure this out by the way your baby wakes up, either smiling or crying. So what do babies dream about when they smile? If the baby is happy and smiling, then she probably dreamt about something good. And what do babies dream about when they cry? If she’s crying and making a lot of fuss, then she must have experienced some less happy dreams.
Possible Signs Your Baby is Dreaming
There is nothing more innocent and peaceful than looking at your baby sleeping. There are three major signs your baby is dreaming, and these might leave you standing over her crib:
1. Twitching
Have you ever seen your baby twitch while sleeping? At the University of Iowa, scientists believe that these small movements show which physical skill your baby is currently working on. This means that, if you notice your baby twitching her neck, then she will probably start supporting her head when she wakes up.
2. Smiling
During her sleep, if you ever see your baby spontaneously smile even in the first month, then she is probably enjoying that spot of her dreaming during the REM sleep.
3. Eye Movement
If you notice her eyes move rapidly beneath the eyelids, then it is certain that she is dreaming. Scientists at the Tel Aviv University found out that when the scenes in our dreams keep changing, our eyes start flickering rapidly back and forth when we sleep.
Do Babies Have Nightmares?
Dr Greene believes that nightmares mostly tend to occur in children between the ages of three and six. This is because by this age, the imaginations of children take off and they are able to think about things that they have not, in reality, sensed themselves. They also start developing a sense of fear by this age.
One of the best things you can do to help your children with nightmares is by letting them process those dreams since bad dreams and nightmares help them make sense of things they are frightened or anxious about. When they are old enough, you can ask them to draw pictures of the bad dreams or nightmares they are having and let them tell you what happened. At the end of their story, you can encourage them to discover and look for a more positive aspect.
It is important to remember that every dream your kid has either good or bad, serve a purpose in the growth of your kid. Dreams help them make sense of the world around them.
Does Dreamless Sleep actually Help your Baby’s Development?
Many experts believe that when REM sleeps are dreamless; it helps the newborns in many ways. It allows them to build pathways in their brain, integrate the neurological systems and even help in developing several other skills like language.
Sleep is very important for your newborn’s development because when your baby is asleep, his brain development is being fuelled.
However, it is believed that dreams start taking shape as we grow up. Therefore, when the baby grows up, he absorbs and processes visuals as dreaming becomes a cognitive process.
If you believe that babies do dream, the real question is what they might be dreaming about. Among adults, we would mostly agree that most of us dream about the things we experience every day, or the past events or stuff we have read or heard about. So if we think with that logic with babies, they would probably dream about a lot of pooping, or crying. When the baby grows up, she would start becoming aware of her surroundings and maybe dream about her mom and dad or even her family dog.
Also Read: Why Do Baby Frequently Waking Up? Read more
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Lata
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8 mins ago
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Ten Most Popular Books that Every Woman should Read
So many books, so little time. Franz Kappa perfectly defined the state of mind of bibliophiles who found a pleasant escape from the mundane into the world of books. While there is no gender preference on who takes up a better position in the list of avid readers, women with their wild imaginations and a zeal to explore certainly pop out as strong contenders.
When we talk about the fairer sex reading a book, the general perception that builds up is of a pony-tail girl flicking through pink glittery book jackets, where the protagonist only talks about Chardonnay and shoes, in a language that finds a low rank on literary standards. We don’t mean that if someone reads something like this (sappy typical chic-lit), it should be made the butt of a joke, but trust us, there is more to what a woman fancies reading.
Some of them are a tad bit of masochists. They like to see their heart breaking after peeking into the life of some miserable soul, downtrodden by a series of unfortunate events. Others may just survive on some witty work of humour, a funny take on social causes maybe. Then there is the category of die-hard romantics who survive on love quotes and cheesy poems on undying affection. Not hard to guess, the options are endless. So holding our horses, and with a strict control on our desire to explore more, here is a list of some ‘unputdownable’ books that every woman should possess.
Top 10 Books Every Woman Should Read
1. How to be a Woman By Caitlin Moran
This one had to be in the list of popular books for women. A perfect blend of feminist-manifesto and witty remarks, this caters to the urban women. It is a half autobiography that smudges the preconceived notions that weigh down upon feminism. We say, men should also keep a copy.
2. The Edible Woman By Margaret Atwood
A brilliant piece of work about emotional cannibalism, alienation and disassociation. Most women struck in this world with an identity crises will be able to relate.
3. White Teeth By Zadie Smith
A witty take on immigration, middle age, faith and everything that lies in between. Surely a great way to change your perception about many notions.
4. Delta of Venus By Anais Nin
For your fetishes and desires that are not able to find a way out, this one is a great read. For those of you who have always been a little squeamish about contents of literary sex, this is a must-read.
5. Lovely Bones By Alice Sebold
It takes you on a journey to what stands as the life of a rape victim today. Get ready to be moved, disgusted and inspired at how this girl who has been brutally raped, goes to heaven and looks down upon the mess that is left behind.
6. Golden Notebook By Doris Lessing
This one is often hailed as the feminists’ Bible. It brings together what the powerful mind and body of a woman can lead to. A commendable piece of communism, motherhood and female liberation.
7. Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte
If you wish to stir winds of change in your life, this has to be the inspiration. A story about a simple yet clever woman who speaks her mind without thinking about pleasing anyone. A torchbearer for the contemporary and independent women of today.
8. Bell Jar By Sylvia Plath
It is a semi autobiography about a young woman’s battle with mental illness. See how her life turns upside down after she starts working in a magazine in New York.
9. Magic of Beginners By Kelly Link
It is important that women read more fantasy work and widen their imaginations. This one is just the perfect start to introduce women to a surreal world, full of fantasy. Everything from supernatural television shows to hauntings, you have an interesting story to read here.
10. The Help By Kathryn Stockett
A heart-wrenching tale of racism and female oppression, this one leaves you with hope and renewal in faith about life. It’s made into a movie and it’s a must watch.
These are just random picks that may or may not fit in your idea of a perfect book. However, they all move your soul and impact you even in the minutest form. Read more
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Peach and apricot smoothie
Peaches and apricots go along really well when blended together to make a smoothie. Add bananas to it and the tangy taste of peaches and apricots mellows down a bit to give it a slightly sweet soothing taste. A great blender makes it easy to whip up a variety of smoothie combinations.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
5 Minutes
00 Minutes
Ingredients
2 peaches, sliced
2-3 apricots, sliced
1 banana, sliced
1 1/2 cups unsweetened milk
6 ice cubes
Method
Step 1
Add all ingredients to your blender and process until smooth.
Step 2
If your fruit was pre-frozen, you need not add ice cubes.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size 1 Serving (250 g)
Calories
100
Carbohydrates
20 g 7%
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Why are Children Introduced to Upper Case Letters First?
Before we begin with today's article, let's do a quick reading test. If you're wondering why the test? Then read ahead to find out:
A.
Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire. They may forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel. All students can learn and succeed, but not the same way and not on the same day. I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.
B.
SOME OF THE KINDEST SOULS I KNOW HAVE LIVED IN A WORLD THAT WAS NOT SO KIND TO THEM. SOMETIMES IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HURT THE MOST WHO REFUSE TO BE HARDENED IN THIS WORLD BECAUSE THEY WOULD NEVER WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER PERSON FEEL THE SAME WAY THEY HAVE FELT. - Bianca Sparacino
Dear parents,
Which paragraph were you able to read faster, and which one did you find more readable?
Research suggests that 95 percent of the print material is in lowercase. Then why are the children introduced to upper case letters first? How often are they supposed to write in capital letters? Are uppercase letters easier to write?
Think again!
They have many breaks, while the lowercase letters are faster to write as they can flow without lifting the pencil.
Further, while reading, we don't look at every letter in a word or a sentence but the shapes of the words.
Now, when the text is in the upper case, the height of every letter is the same. It lends a rectangular shape to every word, making the reader read the text letter-by-letter.
And familiarising the children with uppercase letters first discourages them from reading as they find themselves unable to follow along the stories read to them by adults. On the other hand, once a child identifies a few of the lowercase letters, it begins reading the simple words, sentences, and so on.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. which soap is better tedibar or sebamed?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. no problem u can use anyone. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. Hi, are matte sunscreens suitable for oily skin? I am a new mother and I have to join office after my maternity leave, please suggest me a good one.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Cetaphil SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is going to be a very good choice for you to use for your skin it’s one of the best things that you can currently use and I’m very certain it is going to be good for your skin options also otherwise if you want you can try consulting a dermatologist for that
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. can i use pain relief spray at time of pregancy
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
11 mins ago
A. It is an external thing that you are using not at all problem the problem is if you take any medicine without your doctors consult we do not consider it right neither as your doctor but an external spray is not a problem
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
57 mins ago
Q. hi iam 13th week pregnant my mind is completely in pressure stress and I cried alott does this affect my baby or baby growth
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
28 mins ago
A. All the emotions that you feel and you go through during the time of pregnancy actually affects your child as well after first semester the child takes a better route of the body starts becoming they catch all the emotions and the feelings and negativity positivity everything that you have.. so you need to be more focused and particular about your feelings this time
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 8 m old child
43 mins ago
Q. #asktheexperts 300 vochure
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
13 mins ago
A. If you have any question concerning the parenting platform then please feel free to post your question once I know what are you willing to ask with all the necessary details associated it will be easier for me to give you appropriate help and response onto your question
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
41 mins ago
Q. My daughter (9months old) is not at all willing to drink aptamil and breast milk I am getting only 100 ml per day now. I have tried adding jaggery powder in aptamil but still she is not at all willing to drink.I tried to feed her with aptamil midnight when she was in deep sleep but still she woke up and started crying. I am not able to find any solution for this.Its been 2 days that I have started trying aptamil.So I will continue to try for another week and if she still doesn't drink can you suggest what can be done
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
8 mins ago
A. For yourself I would recommend you Shatavari powder three times in the day to increase your lactation other than that since your child is six months complete you can give Amul Taaza milk to your child that is easier for the childhood digest and flavour is also good even if you want you can add some dry fruit powder saffron or turmeric for flavour change that’s also a good option to try these alternative
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