As your baby grows, you'll find your appetite keeps pace. Now's the time to consider discussing maternity benefits with your employer.
Week 21
Baby's length from crown to rump: 18cm.
Give yourself a pedicure while you can still reach your toes! This week you might notice an increase in appetite as your baby needs 500 more calories a day to keep up with your racing metabolism.
Your baby is developing a sense of taste thanks to the taste buds that are now developing on its tongue. It can now digest the water from the amniotic fluid that it swallows.
Week 22 Baby's length from crown to rump: 19cm.
Anaemia is common at this stage of pregnancy, so make sure that you are getting enough iron.
Your baby's senses and awareness are increasing every day. It's learning about its body and its environment through the sense of touch. The baby can feel its face and stroke its arms and legs as it works out how its body parts move and relate to each other. The fingernails are now fully grown.
Week 23 Baby's length from crown to rump: 20cm.
If you're working, it's time to discuss maternity benefits with your employer. You might start getting heartburn as your stomach gets pushed up yet further. Walking after meals, and eating small portions more frequently can help with this. Painless practise contractions known as 'Braxton Hicks' may start around now as your uterus shapes up for labour.
At this stage your baby will have a wrinkled appearance because fat has not yet completely filled out its skin. Its movements are getting more vigorous and you'll really feel its kicks and punches quite strongly now. You might even notice your baby getting hiccups. It's hearing more than ever now so, if you don't already, try talking to it.
Week 24 Baby's length from crown to rump: 21cm.
If heartburn gets worse, try taking antacid tablets. As you're approaching your third trimester now, start taking time out to put your feet up.
Your baby's face is now complete with eye lashes and its hair is growing longer. It's also plumper and taking up more space, so there's less room for acrobatics. If a noise startles you, it will startle your baby too, and it can remain agitated for several hours.
As your baby grows, you'll find your appetite keeps pace. Now's the time to consider discussing maternity benefits with your employer
