What’s happening to the mother in week 21 to 23?
You are now halfway through your pregnancy. You may feel that you are physically and mentally preparing for childbirth and becoming a parent. Many people find that they are focussing more attention on their impending child and less on the outside world.
The ligaments of your pelvis become increasingly elastic. For some women, standing or walking can be painful. Standing up and climbing stairs can also be difficult.
Development of the fetus
By now, the foetus is usually about 26 cm long and weighs around 400 grams, but both length and weight can vary from pregnancy to pregnancy.
During this period, there is a lot happening in terms of foetal development. Teeth continue to develop in the gums, the eyelids now cover the entire eye, and nails have emerged. In the brain, nerve cells start to form connections so that they can communicate. This is important for future development.