طفلك في الأسبوع 21

A Closer Look at Week 21

At 21 weeks, your baby has developed a sophisticated sense of taste. Taste buds are now fully functional on the tongue, and your baby can distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, and salty flavours in the amniotic fluid. Research has shown that the flavours of the foods you eat pass into the amniotic fluid within hours, and babies can respond to different tastes with swallowing movements or facial expressions visible on detailed ultrasound.

Eyelids and eyebrows are now clearly present, giving your baby's face an increasingly expressive and recognisable appearance. The eyelids are still fused shut and will remain so for several more weeks, but behind them, the irises are developing pigment. The final eye colour won't be determined until months after birth, as melanin production continues to change the colour of the iris well into infancy.

Stretch marks are one of the most common skin changes during pregnancy, and they often begin to appear around this time. These reddish or purplish lines form when the skin stretches faster than the underlying collagen and elastin fibres can accommodate. While genetics play the largest role in whether you develop stretch marks, keeping the skin well-moisturised can help reduce itchiness and may improve skin elasticity. Cocoa butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E-rich creams are popular choices, though no product can completely prevent stretch marks.

Your baby's movements should be becoming increasingly noticeable now. While first kicks can feel like gentle flutters or gas bubbles, by week 21 many mothers can identify distinct kicks, rolls, and stretches. Partners may even be able to feel movements from the outside by placing a hand on the belly during an active period.