What should pregnant women do in the 21st week of pregnancy?

When pregnant women reach the 21st week of pregnancy, they will feel the fetus moving in their belly, and some fetuses move very frequently. At this stage, the baby is already conscious, and the external environment will stimulate him, such as sound. Many pregnant women may not know what to do in the 21st week of pregnancy, so let's take a look at it below.

1. False labor: During this period, if you feel the uterine muscles tightening every once in a while, don't worry. These irregular, painless labors are called false labor, which are very common during pregnancy and do not mean that you are about to give birth. When the due date arrives, painful uterine contractions are the sign of delivery. If you experience severe abdominal pain during this short period of uterine contractions, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

2. Prevent iron deficiency anemia: During this period, the fetus will absorb a large amount of iron from your body, so you need to supplement iron in large quantities to prevent the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia. You should eat more iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, eggs, animal liver, fish, etc. If necessary, you can also take some iron supplements under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Prevent varicose veins: Because the body's blood flow increases during pregnancy and the enlarged uterus compresses the pelvic veins, you are prone to varicose veins in the upper and lower limbs during this period. In normal times, you should avoid standing for long periods of time and raise your legs when resting in bed. If necessary, you can wear special elastic stockings for pregnant women. It is best to wear them before getting out of bed every day. If you forget to wear them, lie back in bed with your legs raised, and then put them on after ten minutes. This can prevent varicose veins and calf swelling.

4. Sleeping on the left side is the best sleeping position: Sleeping on the left side will increase the blood and nutrients flowing to the placenta, which is very beneficial to the development of the fetus. This sleeping position also helps the kidneys to excrete waste and waste fluid in your body, which will greatly reduce edema in your hands and feet. If you practice sleeping on your left side early on, it will be easier to fall asleep when your belly gets bigger.

5. Don’t squat for too long when using the toilet: If you squat for too long when using the toilet, it may affect the free movement of the fetus in the uterus and even cause hypoxia in the fetus. If you need to urinate, go to the toilet immediately when you feel the urge to do so. Never hold your urine intentionally. When you have a bowel movement, don't squat for too long. This is good for both you and your baby.

Pregnant women, after reading the above introduction, must remember that during the 21st week of pregnancy, do not do anything that is harmful to yourself and the fetus. At this stage, you must supplement the nutrients that need to be supplemented in time, so that you can give birth to a healthy baby.