Week 21

 

Week Twenty-One

• White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body’s defense sytems. They help fight infections and diseases.
• Your little one’s skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.
• Your infant’s tongue is fully formed. If you were able to peek you might catch your son or daughter practicing giving you a raspberry!
• Her womb and vagina are formed. Unlike males, females have a limited supply of eggs in their lifetime. At this point your daughter will have 6 million eggs. This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth.
• Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, her body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for her digestive system!
• Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets her internal clock to match the outside world’s even before birth! Your eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
• Length is now measured crown to heel.
• Baby measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).