Week 21: 19 weeks to go!

What is happening to your baby:

• Your baby measures 17.5cm crown to rump.
• Growth starts to slow down.
• Your baby becomes more active as there is more amniotic fluid in which to play around.
• Heart rate grows stronger.
• Legs are reaching their relative proportions.

What is happening to you:

• The measurement from pubic bone to fundus is about 20cm. Fundal height is measured to estimate the size of your foetus – it eventually stops at 35-40cm.
• Your ankles and feet may be swelling.
• Oesophageal reflux (regurgitation of the stomach contents into the oesophagus) may cause heartburn.

What to do:

• Start finding out about ante-natal classes in your area. Read "Find a good antenatal class" in the General section.
• Drink lots of fluids and rest with your feet up to reduce water retention. Now you have a good excuse to sit back and relax!
• For tips on how to relieve heartburn, go to "Relieving heartburn" in the section: "Common concerns".