Pregnancy Week 22

What does my baby look like?

This week your baby is about the size of a papaya and is closing in on the half-kilo mark.

Their skin may still look wrinkled, but it's less see-through than it was in earlier weeks.

The lungs are developing

Your baby's lungs keep developing. Even though they don't truly breathe in the womb, they practice breathing movements. These movements help prepare the muscles needed for breathing after birth. The lungs aren't ready for life outside the womb yet, but they're maturing quickly.

Amniotic fluid and meconium

Your baby swallows small amounts of amniotic fluid. This collects in the intestines and, after birth, is passed as meconium, the dark, sticky first poop.

Taste buds, grasp, sight, and hearing

Your baby's taste buds are developing, and the flavor of the amniotic fluid can be influenced by what you eat.

As the sense of touch develops, their grasp grows stronger. Sometimes they may even grab the umbilical cord, which usually isn't a problem.

Their sense of sight is developing too. Even with the eyelids closed, they may start to tell light from dark better and may move in response to bright lights from outside.

Your baby can now hear your voice, your heartbeat, the sounds in your belly, and the blood flowing through your body.

Eyes and tooth buds

Around this time, pigment may start to develop in the irises. The eye color at birth doesn't have to be permanent; it can change over the following weeks and months.

Tooth buds for the teeth that will come in later are also developing in your baby's gums.

What's happening in my body?

Around this time, stretch marks may start to become more noticeable. They usually appear on the belly, breasts, and thighs. Under the influence of hormones, the skin's fibers can soften and become more prone to stretch marks. Stretch marks are harmless and often fade after birth.

Back and posture

As your baby grows, your back may feel more strain. That's why sitting and standing up straight matter. If you sit for long stretches, supporting your back with a small pillow can be a relief.

Foot growth and swelling

Because of the swelling of pregnancy and the hormone relaxin, your feet may grow, swell, or go up a shoe size. If you need to buy new shoes, choose comfortable, stable pairs without very high heels.

An outie belly button

Around this time, your belly button may pop outward. This usually returns close to its old look after birth.

Whooping cough vaccine

If you haven't had the whooping cough vaccine yet, it can be given up until week 32; you can plan it with your doctor.

Smoking and oxygen

Cigarette smoke reduces the oxygen your baby needs. Until they're born, your baby gets oxygen from you through the placenta, and because their lungs are still developing, this period is especially important. Smoking during pregnancy harms the baby; quitting matters for your baby's health both during pregnancy and after birth. If you're still smoking, you should get support to quit.

Symptoms you may notice this week

During this time, you may run into the following symptoms:

• fatigue and trouble sleeping
• stretch marks
• swollen, bleeding gums
• round ligament pain
• hemorrhoids
• back pain
• nosebleeds
• indigestion and heartburn
• bloating and constipation
• leg cramps
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urinary tract infections
• vaginal infections
• darkening skin or brown patches on the face
• oilier, more breakout-prone skin
• thicker, shinier hair
• milky-white vaginal discharge and light spotting

If you have severe pain or vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor right away.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can happen more often during pregnancy. This is due to pregnancy hormones and increased blood volume.

For a nosebleed, you can try the following:

• sit down
• pinch the soft part of your nose for 10 to 15 minutes
• lean forward
• breathe through your mouth
• apply something cold to the bridge of your nose

If the bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes, contact your doctor. Avoid heavy exertion for at least 24 hours.

Acne and skin changes

Pregnancy acne can be common. Before using any acne medication, ask your doctor whether it's safe during pregnancy. Some acne treatments aren't recommended in pregnancy.

Swollen feet and hands

Swelling in the hands and feet can happen during pregnancy. However, if you have the following symptoms, you need urgent evaluation:

• severe headache
• blurred vision or flashes of light
• pain just below the ribs
• vomiting
• sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet

These symptoms can be linked to preeclampsia.

Nutrition this week

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy during this time. Starchy foods like bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, and quinoa can provide energy, vitamins, and fiber.

Whole-grain options can help release energy more slowly and keep you feeling full for longer.

If you've been advised to watch your weight, keeping an eye on portion sizes and limiting rich, fatty sauces can help.

Healthy eating on a budget

Simpler products and store brands can sometimes offer similar nutritional value. The basic idea is to focus on nutritional value and avoid unnecessary spending.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are the practice contractions the uterus does to get ready for birth. They aren't as regular or effective as true labor contractions. Still, telling them apart can sometimes be tricky.

Risk of premature birth

In some pregnancies, extra evaluation may be needed for the risk of premature birth. In situations like a short cervix or preeclampsia, a fetal fibronectin test may be done. The result of this test can be used to assess the likelihood of premature birth.

Exercise and relaxation

During pregnancy, yoga, meditation, and low-impact exercise can be soothing for some moms-to-be. Breathing and relaxation exercises can also help calm the mind.

Pilates can also help support your posture and ease the strain on your back, shoulders, and hips.

Pelvic floor exercises

Working your pelvic floor muscles regularly can help reduce the risk of the leaking that can happen when you cough, laugh, or sneeze.

Avoiding infections

Avoiding infections during pregnancy is important. Keep these precautions in mind:

• avoid unpasteurized milk and foods made with it
• don't share food, utensils, cups, or pacifiers with young children
• contact your doctor if you have a high fever or signs of infection