21 Weeks Pregnant

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Here's what's happening during Week 21 of your pregnancy:

Your Growing Baby

By week 21, your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces, and her length from head to rump is seven inches, about the length of a spoon. Ten and one-half ounces is also the size bear cubs are when they are born. Your baby has begun her main project for the rest of your pregnancy: putting on weight. She regularly drinks amniotic fluid for hydration and nutrition, urinates in the fluid and breathes in and out (fortunately, the fluid pool refreshes itself every three hours). Her eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. Taste buds are forming on her tongue. Her eyelids are still sealed, but her eyes are active.

Your Growing Belly

Some women report feeling better and more energized at this stage of pregnancy than they have at any point in their life. We hope you're one of them! To safely build up your endurance for labor and for taking care of your baby later, take long walks outside or on a treadmill, ride a stationary bike or use an elliptical trainer. To keep your uterus and pelvic-floor muscles toned, do Kegel exercises and have orgasms! If your doctor has told you to avoid sex because you're at risk for preterm labor, ask what he means by "sex" and which acts may be off-limits.

Tips & To-Do's

Made In The Shade

To the surprise of many, pregnant women often feel their most beautiful as they grow bigger with their baby. And exercise can make you feel even better about your body, not to mention help you through your pregnancy and your baby's birth. Our guide includes tips for staying safe while doing all the sports you love—swimming, running, biking, aerobics and more—and features an easy 8-move strength program you can do at home or in the gym.

Here's how to get started now.

Things to think about this week: Though your due date sounds very far away, start reading up on baby care now. You won't have time after your newborn arrives.

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*This due date is an approximation. You should always consult your health care provider for confirmation of your exact estimated due date.

"Only about 1 in 20 women delivers on her exact due date. Your due date actually just suggests a 5-week window during which it would be healthy for your baby to be born. The week surrounding your due date is when he is most likely to be born."

Information reprinted with permission from GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones. Copyright ©2004, by Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones.