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Pregnancy, Weeks 21-25

So you have finally made it! You are over half way done with your pregnancy! Your tummy is growing now and you definitely look pregnant! You can find your uterus above your bellybutton now. The baby is completely formed, but the organ systems are continuing to mature. You may start noticing some swelling in your feet, ankles and fingers. This is normal; keep drinking water to help with that. You may also find that your moods are swinging from high to low…don't worry, this is typical for this time in your pregnancy. If you are feeling sad and cant seem to care for yourself or others, let us know, we can help. By week 24, your baby is considered "viable". This means that if born after 24 weeks, with some help from physicians it could live in our world. Obviously, we would like you to stay pregnant for about 15-19 more weeks, but some women have problems with preterm labor. If you have any of the following symptoms, call the office to discuss it with us: a timeable pain (possibly cramping) in your low back, lower abdomen, or upper thighs, just aren't feeling well, and any type of pink tinged discharge.

Sodium

Be careful with your sodium intake during pregnancy…it can cause swelling and bloating. Read food labels to educate your self on the amount of sodium in them. Try and keep your intake to 3 grams (3000 mg) or less a day.

Food Serving Sodium Content
American Cheese 1 slice 322 mg
Big Mac 1 regular 963 mg
Cola 8 oz 16 mg
Cottage cheese 1 cup 580 mg
Dill pickle 1 medium 928 mg
Jello 3 oz 270 mg
Ham 3oz 770 mg
Melon 1/2 melon 90 mg
Oatmeal 1 cup 523 mg
Potato Chips 20 reg 400 mg
Salt 1 tsp 1938 mg

Depression

Depression can occur at anytime during a person's life. Many factors contribute to this. Research shows that 25% of all women have some degree of depression during pregnancy and 10% will have major depression. This should be a happy time in your life, we want you to enjoy your pregnancy. Happy and healthy moms, have happy, healthy babies. Babies born to moms who are depressed are at a higher risk of being smaller or born to early. Please let your provider, family member, or significant other know if you are feeling any of the following so we can get you some help…we are all here for you to keep you as physically and mentally healthy as possible.

This Visit

Baby News

Between the weeks of 21-25, your baby is measuring 10.5 oz and is 7 1/4" long (week 21) up to 1 1/2 pounds and 8 3/4" long (week 25).

During this time of pregnancy, the baby's growth rate is slowing, and the organ systems are maturing. In the digestive system, the baby is swallowing amniotic fluid, absorbs as much water from it as possible and then the waste is sent to the large bowel. The swallowing of the fluid helps to mature the digestive system and also gives them some essential nutrients.

The fetal liver is also maturing. Even though the baby's liver is developing, it still does not have the full function like an adult liver. It is unable to breakdown bilirubin. Bilirubin is a byproduct from the breakdown of red blood cells. This is what causes some babies to become jaundice. The bilirubin level will be checked daily after delivery while you are in the hospital recovering.

Another organ that is working on maturing is the pancreas. This organ produces insulin, which is necessary to break down sugar in our bodies. When sugar levels are high in the mom (when she is diabetic) then insulin levels are going to be high in the baby. This is why we monitor you for gestational diabetes at your 28 week visit.

Falling

Falling during pregnancy is the most frequent cause of minor injuries. All of you expectant moms need to be really careful especially if you are pregnant during the winter months and have to deal with the nasty ice and snow! Since the uterus is protected in the abdomen and the baby is well protected with the amniotic fluid, usually serious injuries do not happen. If you fall, contact your provider, so we can care for you.