Week 21: Look mummy, I'm dreaming!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 21:



fetus in fifth month
Your beautiful little miracle-gro baby will be putting on a full ounce
and a half this week (and weighing up to 16.5 ounces), but that’s just
the beginning! Within the next five weeks, they’ll really be packin’ it
on! For now, we’re pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement
(REM) a key component to any healthy baby’s sleep schedule. While in
the dermatology department: their thin soft skin is very red, rather
translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it’s not a premature
aging disease. It's just their clever little body setting them up with
extra space that will smooth out once your little one starts packing on
the baby-fat. That won’t be for a few more weeks, though. So for the
time being, your munchkin is still a little lean mean growing machine!
The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting
to fill in to help your baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as
they’re not yet capable of regulating their own body temperature.

And how's mom doing?
We’ve hit trimester two and you're in
full-swing pregnancy mode. Most moms are feeling pretty good right
about now. Funnily enough, you may already be noticing some mild
uterine contractions—don’t panic, this is completely normal. Actually,
your uterus contracts throughout your whole life—only now determining
the sex early on makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery,
inform the family and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to
some parents, that’s not the point. You're going to love your little
one whether they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog that there’s enough pressure on the uterine muscles you can feel them more distinctly when they contract.If
you’re still deciding whether or not to buy gender-specific clothing,
it’s time to bite the bullet and head in for an ultrasound... unless
you’re not the planning type. Now that we have the technology, it’s
fairly obvious to modern couples that determining the sex early on
makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery, inform the family
and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to some parents,
that’s not the point. You're going to love your little one whether
they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog. Really though, many couples
enjoy the suspense and choose to leave the sex as a final surprise.
Talk with your partner and figure out what feels right for you. Just
keep in mind that once you know, you can’t turn back!