Your baby's palate is becoming surprisingly sophisticated. This week, the taste buds are fully functional. Because the flavors of whatever you eat—from spicy curries to sweet fruits—filter into the amniotic fluid, your baby is actively tasting your daily menu. They are even developing preferences, swallowing more frequently when the fluid is sweet.
🍼 What's Happening With Your Baby
Now the size of a large carrot, the fetus is long and lean. Although a steady layer of fat is beginning to accumulate, the skin still appears loose and wrinkled because the fat hasn't caught up with the rapid skeletal growth.
The digestive system is getting a serious workout. The baby is swallowing large amounts of amniotic fluid, which the stomach and intestines absorb, practicing for the digestion of breastmilk or formula.
The bone marrow has officially taken over the crucial job of producing red blood cells, a task previously handled by the liver and spleen.
🤰 What You're Feeling This Week
As your baby's kicks become stronger, you may start feeling them higher up in your abdomen. The top of your uterus is now roughly half an inch above your belly button.
You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge, which is completely normal as long as it is clear or white and odorless. However, if you experience a sudden gush of watery fluid, contact your doctor immediately to rule out premature rupture of membranes.
Acne can make an unwelcome return. The fluctuating androgens can cause your sebaceous glands to overproduce oil, leading to breakouts on your face, chest, and back.
The Palate Develops
The flavors of your diet are setting the foundation for your child's future food preferences. Exposure to a diverse range of tastes in the womb is scientifically linked to less picky eating in toddlerhood.
✅ What To Do This Week
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Eat a diverse, flavorful diet — Expose your baby's developing taste buds to a wide variety of healthy foods, spices, and flavors.
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Consider an anatomical support belt — If the weight of your growing belly is pulling your lower back forward, a high-quality maternity support band can dramatically improve your posture and reduce pain.
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Be mindful of your center of gravity — Your balance is significantly compromised. Avoid wearing high heels, and take extra care when stepping out of the shower or walking on uneven surfaces.
"Your body is a remarkable filter, passing the very essence of your life—the food you eat, the air you breathe—directly to another human being. You are their first experience of the world."
— A Note From Your Body, Week 21