Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
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
Suggested for you
Reasoning Skills in Young Toddlers
Developing reasoning skills in toddlers is crucial to a child's early learning. The better kids learn to reason, the better they'll be able to apply critical thinking when necessary. There are many things parents can do to develop this important skill.
Logic and reasoning are the ability to think through problems and apply strategies to solve them. These skills are an essential part of a child's development and early learning. They act like a foundation for their competence and also affect their success in academics. Along with other important skills like motor skills, reasoning should be encouraged from an early age.
What Are Reasoning Skills In Young Toddlers?
Critical thinking includes a number of different skills that helps adults learn and make decisions. It’s also the ability to evaluate day-to-day information along with determining if it’s right or wrong. Thinking and reasoning skills are also demonstrated in toddlers. For example, if you give your 2-year-old a spoon and a chocolate, he’ll almost definitely eat the chocolate and not the spoon! However, you can still play a role in developing your child’s reasoning skills early on.
How To Develop Reasoning Skills In Children From An Early Age
Read to your child more frequently. Reading makes a big difference in how young toddlers think and perceive the world round them. It also helps them learn about various objects like cars, fruits and blocks. Reading also makes them more creative and open-minded.
Play matching and sorting games with coloured balls, cards and toys. They’ll also keep your child busy when you need to do your chores!
Try not to answer your tot’s questions right away. Give him time to think about it on his own. You can also make a fun game out of this. If he answers the question correctly, give him a little incentive like a toffee or an extra story at bedtime. This will increase the chances of improving reasoning ability in toddlers exponentially.
Keep an eye on your child to see what he likes and observe what he does. In this way, you will be able to know him better and help build his reasoning skills.
You can use everyday routines to make him observe patterns, such as when lunch time is, who the guests are that you’ve called over, and what to do when there’s no electricity.
Help your child to grasp the working of time since the very beginning. Teach him about special days like birthdays, and how story-telling time comes after dinner and before bed.
When teaching reasoning skills to toddlers, urge your little one to be just and fair, and to think in the right direction. All most children need is the right nudge to start thinking in the right way. Build a strong foundation of reasoning skills in your child’s development and see how he grasps everything so quickly. Even a 15-month-old baby is capable of choosing the playing blocks he likes, which means he has a capacity for logical thinking. So, start interacting with your toddler from the time he’s a few months old. You’ll both be rewarded with smarter thought processes! Read more
Suggested for you
Jellyfish Facts for Kids
Jellyfish are the only creatures that have been on earth even before the existence of dinosaurs. They are free-swimming marine animals with umbrella-shaped heads and long tentacles. Let's look at some more facts about this creature that has survived without a brain for more than 650 million years.
Interesting Things About Jellyfish
Here are some interesting facts about jellyfish for your preschooler.
1. Scientific Classification
Jellyfish are placed under Cnidarian phylum whose characteristic feature is the presence of a non-living and a gelatinous body embedded between the epithelial layers. There are about 2000 different types of jellyfish, and researchers believe that there are around 300,000 different species yet to be discovered.
2. Anatomy
Jellyfish come in a variety of colours and forms like white, pink, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Some of them are even multi-coloured. The body of jellyfish is composed of 90% water, and most of it is a gelatinous material referred to as mesoglea. This gelatinous material is surrounded by two layers of cells which forms the umbrella. This is called the bell.
Jellyfish have no respiratory system because their thin skin can oxygenate the body through diffusion. They do not have a central nervous system or a brain. They actually have a loose network of nerves that is present in the epidermis. This is called a nerve net, and it helps them coordinate responses and sense changes in their environment.
The mouth is housed in a bell or dome-shaped central body area that is surrounded by tentacles. From this mouth-like opening, they discard waste and eat food. Squirting water from this mouth enables them to move through the water.
3. Nature
Jellyfish are not fish. They are plankton belonging to the phylum Cnidarian and class Scyphozoan.
4. Locomotion
Their movement depends on the tide and currents of the water and wind. Some jellyfish are very sensitive to light, making them move downwards during the day. Jellyfish die in the absence of water as it can cause desiccation.
5. Gender
Jellyfish are dioecious meaning that their colony will either be completely female or male. In most cases, both female and male adults release eggs and sperm into the water where these eggs fertilize and mature to become new jellies.
6. Species
Belonging to the Staurocladia, creeping jellyfish is the smallest species of the jellyfish. It has bell discs of 0.5 mm with small tentacles that stretch out a little. They crawl at the base of the ocean and cannot be seen without a microscope or hand lens.
7. Friendliness
The friendliest species of jellyfish is the moon jellyfish. Here are some interesting moon jellyfish facts for kids.
Though they sting, the effects are short-term and mild. These are the most common species and are found in aquariums. Since this species is minuscule, in the natural habitat, they do not live for more than six months. The factors responsible for their death are lack of food, warm temperature, and diseases. In controlled conditions, they live for years because there is no competition for food and no predators.
8. Invasion
It has been found that jellyfish invasion can shut down nuclear reactors, most of which depend on ocean water intake. Many facilities were forced to temporarily cease operations as the swarms clogged the intake pipes.
9. Response to Other Marine Animals
Though many animals avoid jellies, some just like hanging around with them. Some marine creatures use jellies as a sort of bodyguard. For example, crabs sometimes hitchhike on jellies. Some go along with them for a ride inside the bell or just to stay very close to the jellyfish. There are many theories on why these tag-along marine creatures are unharmed by jellyfish. Some scientists say that these marine creatures cover themselves in mucus to keep the stingers from firing. The other reason is that they are just too careful to not come in contact with the tentacles.
10. Life Cycle
Jellyfish, like other animals, have a life cycle. The most popular stage is the medusa stage, where they swim around in the water with their tentacles hanging down. Female and male medusa then reproduce, which result in the formation of thousands of tiny larvae. These larvae are commonly referred to as planulae. These larvae then settle down on the bottom of the ocean and then form tiny polyps. These polyps, when they grow to the medusa stage, give baby jellyfish.
Unbelievable Facts About Jellyfish
A group of jellyfish is called a smack or a bloom. This smack or bloom of jellyfish can contain more than 100,000 jellyfish!
Jellyfish are kept in round aquariums because these aquariums prevent them from getting stuck in the corners.
Pour vinegar over the wound when stung by a jellyfish and then seek medical attention.
A flying robot made at New York University was inspired by jellyfish.
Power medical devices can be made in the future from the jellyfish’s green fluorescent protein.
Common predators of the jellyfish are sharks, tuna, sea turtles, jellyfish, Pacific salmon, and swordfish.
Jellyfish blooms are around 500 million near Japan, and each jellyfish would be around the size of a refrigerator.
They also have medicinal value. Jellyfish are harvested for collagen that is used in many ways. It is even used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Around 150 million people are exposed to jellyfish annually around the world.
Jellyfish stings can be very painful to humans, and they can even be deadly to certain species. Most stings occur when people touch the jellyfish because these magnificent marine creatures do not attack on purpose. We hope your child enjoyed learning these unique facts about jellyfish!
Also Read:
Educative Aquatic Animal Information for Kids
Interesting Facts About Starfish for Children
Amazing Blue Whale Facts for Kids
Fun Animal Facts for Kids Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Rajmaa
Rajmaa masala is a famous Punjabi dish that forms an integral part of their main course. It is not only loved by the north Indians, but by people across the country, for its delish taste. Rajmaa masala tastes best with steamed rice; as the famous combination is rightly named ‘Rajma Chawal’. We bet you won’t be able to resist the aroma and would force-eat that extra amount of rice just to have this delicious curry
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
10 - 15 Minutes
40 - 45 Minutes
Ingredients
1 cup red kidney beans or rajma
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tbsp ginger, crushed
1 tbsp garlic, crushed
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp oil
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1 clove
1/2 bay leaf
1 tsp coriander leaves
2 cups water
Salt to taste
Method
Step 1
Soak rajma in water for 8 - 9 hours or overnight.
Step 2
Next day, discard the water and wash rajma with fresh water.
Step 3
Pressure cook rajma for 2 – 3 whistles in 4 cups of water and little salt.
Step 4
Heat oil in a non stick pan. Add cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf to the pan and saute well.
Step 5
Add onion to the above mixture and saute till it turns light brown.
Step 6
Next, add crushed ginger and garlic. Cook for about a minute.
Step 7
Add tomatoes and saute for another 2 - 3 minutes.
Step 8
Now, add spice powders one after the other - turmeric, chilli, coriander, cumin and garam masala powder.
Step 9
Saute the mixture until oil starts separating from the mixture
Step 10
Add rajma and mix well. Add 2 cups of water, salt and stir the mixture for some time.
Step 11
Cook the mixture with the lid open for about 10 minutes or until the gravy turns thick.
Step 12
You can mash some beans with a spoon to get thicker gravy.
Step 13
Garnish it with coriander leaves and serve hot with roti, naan or rice.
Nutritional Information
Calories
263 K cal
Proteins
12.1 g
Fats
8.0 g
Carbohydrates
38.2 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
59 mg
Potassium
933 mg
Read more
Suggested for you
5 Dreams That Only Flat Abs Can Fulfill
Dreaming about perfect abs and a toned tummy? Indeed, abs exercises benefit you in multiple ways! Why not use some of these great perks to inspire you on your workout session?
Abs workouts have a number of benefits apart from giving you a toned tummy. The good looks are definitely a super add on, but abs workouts have many more benefits, many of which you’ll be surprised to know about.
Why Benefits of Abs Workouts Extend Beyond Looks
1. You get a healthier body
Having flat abs doesn’t mean that you will never fall sick, but according to studies, you are less likely to have major health problems. As per studies, if you’re regular with your abs workouts and have a flat tummy, you’re:
60 percent less likely to develop gallstones
41 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure
40 percent less likely to develop kidney cancer
35 percent less likely to have a heart attack
25 percent less likely to develop heart disease
14 percent less likely to develop osteoarthritis. That’s quite a list!
2. You get fewer sports injuries
According to a standard U.S. Army test, people who did more abdominal workouts were less likely to get injured. Researchers for the U.S. Army tracked the injuries of male and female soldiers during a year of field training in which they performed the standard Army fitness test of sit-ups, push-ups, and a two-mile run. Those who could do the most sit-ups were less likely to suffer from injuries. Wow!
3. You'll live to be a cute grandma
People with weak abdominal muscles have more than twice the mortality rate of those with strong mid-sections. This is not surprising at all, when you consider all the health conditions associated with belly fat, such as obesity, heart disease, blood pressure problems and breathing disorders.
4. Your muscles are super strong
Doing regular abs exercises benefits you by helping attain better posture as the muscles of your core are strengthened. Another benefit is greater flexibility and enhanced spine strength, leading to an overall feeling of well-being and flexibility. If you spend hours sitting at your desk, you’ll be amazed by how much better your back feels too.
5. Better sex, oh my!
A toned body and a flat tummy with tight abs gives you strength and stamina to try out a lot of new sexual positions! Let’s face it, some positions require strength and stamina, not to mention flexibility. With a smaller waistline and a toned body, you’ll have a lot more fun in bed. Flat abs also means better blood flow. According to research, this means better vaginal lubrication, sensitivity and arousal that’ll heighten sexual pleasure.
Flat abs have a lot of benefits. You can wear that fitted dress hiding somewhere in your closet without your tummy spoiling your silhouette. You can have a much stronger body when you have less tummy fat, so gear up, and for the sake of your health, get those abs working! Read more
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
13 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
8 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
30 mins ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
Check out this new Memory
Pooja Dhavane
Guardian of a 6 m old girl
New Memory
#MamyPokoMilestoneMemories, her first christmas😍
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Lavanya Podugu
Mom of a 3 yr 6 m old girl
New Memory
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
gopi
Father of a 5 yr 6 m old boy
New Memory
#kidno1
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Bhagyashree
Guardian of a 8 m old boy
New Memory
#babyphotochallenge
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Rakshanda Khan
Mom of a 6 yr 8 m old boy
New Memory
#kidno1
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive