Second Trimester
Pregnancy Week 21
Your baby is about the size of a carrot 🥕 — taste buds working.
🥕
Size comparison
≈ Carrot
Length
26.7 cm
Weight
360 g
Milestone
Taste buds working
About 19 weeks to go until your due date (week 40).
Baby's development at week 21
Taste buds are fully formed and your baby can taste the amniotic fluid — flavours from your diet pass through. Research shows babies show preference for foods mum ate during pregnancy.
Eat a variety of vegetables — your baby is already developing food preferences!
Common symptoms at week 21
Braxton Hicks contractions may beginLeg crampsBack pain
Eat more of
- ✓Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseed)
- ✓Calcium & Vitamin D (cheese, eggs, sunlight)
- ✓Protein (chicken, legumes, eggs)
- ✓Iron + Vitamin C together for absorption
- ✓Magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, dark chocolate)
Foods to avoid
- ✕Alcohol
- ✕Raw/smoked seafood
- ✕High-mercury fish
- ✕Unpasteurised cheeses (brie, camembert)
- ✕Processed meats (deli cuts, hot dogs)
- ✕Excess sugar
Medically reviewed by First OPD Medical Team. Last reviewed on .
Based on average milestones from World Health Organization (WHO), ACOG, NHS UK. Educational only — not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
Track every week with a free First OPD account
Save your personalised week, get your due date, and book gynaecologists near you.