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Sign InWeek 21 — Feeling Those Kicks
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
carrot
Your baby is about 27cm and 400 grams — roughly the size of a large carrot. Limb movements are now coordinated and frequent, and most people can feel them clearly by now. The digestive system is secreting enzymes and practising processing amniotic fluid. Bone marrow is now producing blood cells, taking over from the liver. Your baby is also starting to develop a sleep-wake cycle, though it may not match yours at all.
You may notice your baby is most active when you're lying still or trying to sleep — that's because when you're moving around, the rocking motion tends to lull them to sleep, and when you stop, they wake up. This is also why first-time mums often feel movement later than those who've been pregnant before — you're more likely to notice the movement when you're resting quietly.
Your baby is now swallowing up to several hundred millilitres of amniotic fluid per day and excreting it back as urine — which then becomes part of the amniotic fluid again. Your baby is essentially swimming in a recycled pool of their own urine. Before you're grossed out — the fluid is constantly filtered and replaced, and this whole system is what teaches the digestive and urinary systems how to work.
Start paying attention to your baby's movement patterns. You don't need to do formal kick counts yet — that's more of a third trimester thing — but getting to know when your baby is typically active helps you notice if something changes. Most babies have periods of activity and quiet throughout the day.
Fibre is your best friend this trimester as constipation is very common. Prunes, pears, flaxseed, and whole grains all help keep things moving. Stay well hydrated alongside increased fibre intake.
Ask if you can feel the kicks this week — many partners can start feeling movement from outside the belly around now. It's a connecting moment.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer