22 weeks pregnant – Doubts? All you need to know!

Most facets of the baby have already been developed by 22 weeks of pregnancy . The lips, the small ears, the teeth in the gums, the nose and the eyes, which inherit the characteristics of their parents. What a beauty! Each week, he moves more to train his joints and muscles, and for that reason, every now and then you’ll notice his belly kicks. On the other hand, the mother will witness various symptoms, some of an aesthetic nature and others that will cause discomfort. Do you want to know what they are? How is your baby? How is fetal development going? We tell you everything in this article about 22 weeks of pregnancy .

Changes in the Baby at 22 Weeks of Pregnancy:

At 22 weeks of pregnancy (20 weeks from conception), your baby measures 27 centimeters and weighs almost 500 grams. You can see her eyelids, nails and eyebrows, although the latter are still colorless, they are white fluffs that are seen above her eyes.

Looking at it, it looks almost like a full-term baby, but still needs to gain weight. Your body fat represents 1% of your body, but from now on it will be gaining layers of fat, which will help regulate your body temperature.

He also needs to complete the development of vital organs such as the heart, brain and lungs. This week, your brain experiences great progress in the limbic system, the midbrain, which manages physiological responses to stimuli it receives from the outside. He begins to feel emotions and even experience mood swings.

It is therefore very important that you start making contact with your baby, if you haven’t already. The baby can feel your touch, your voice and the way you communicate with him, generating an emotional response.

Even if you can’t see or touch it directly, this is the first form of communication between you and your baby. And of course, also with his father.

Changes in the Mother at 22 Weeks of Pregnancy:

If you haven’t started yet, it’s time to start taking care of your skin to avoid, as far as possible, pregnancy stretch marks caused by skin distension. It is essential to always keep your skin well hydrated by applying a moisturizer twice a day, morning and night.

The skin also experiences other changes during pregnancy. Dark spots can appear on the face, known as chloasma or a pregnancy mask. To do this, always try to apply a cream with a high protection factor, since when in contact with the sun, the effect of hormones causes the activation of melanin, responsible for skin hyperpigmentation.

It could also be due to the effect of hormones, you notice your skin more oily and acne prone . To avoid this, wash your face with mild products, keep it clean with a daily cleanse and exfoliate once a week. If possible, avoid make-up or, if that’s not possible, remove it well before going to sleep.

If you already have swelling in your feet and legs, lie down with your legs a little high and apply cooling gel. They help a lot to improve circulation.

To sleep, always try to lie on your left side and place a pillow between your legs to rest.

These are, broadly speaking, the changes experienced by the mother and baby at week 22 of pregnancy.

What are the Mother’s Symptoms After 22 Weeks of Pregnancy?

At 22 weeks of gestation, the uterus already exceeds the height of the navel. The pregnancy begins to be noticed. Many people will now realize that you are pregnant and it will be difficult for your condition to go unnoticed.

Surely you will have to start wearing loose clothes, your waist is already gone and any clothes that oppress your abdomen will be very irritating.

It is an ideal time to communicate with the baby. Talk to him and above all, pet him. He will feel the affection and will certainly respond, reassuring himself. But don’t caress the upper abdomen.

You will clearly notice the baby’s movements, it moves a lot and sometimes these movements are quite abrupt. Don’t worry, it’s the best indicator that your baby is doing well. Now that you are clear about her movements, you should be aware of noticing it several times a day.

Take care of your diet In these quiet weeks we tend to have a lot of appetite and it’s important to keep taking care of ourselves.

22 weeks gestation will be stretch mark week . With the belly growing, hips widening and increased blood volume, the skin is stretched and poor nutrition can lead to stretch marks, aesthetically they are a bit unsightly. It is something completely normal for most pregnant mothers. When they are white there is nothing to do because the tissue has died and it will be difficult to make them disappear. But if they are red stretch marks , we recommend going to the dermatologist, he will recommend a cosmetic to reduce them during the pregnancy months.

Here we recommend sweet almond oil , ideal for sensitive skin and pregnant women. It has antioxidant and revitalizing power, many women use it to reduce pregnancy stretch marks . It can be applied to the belly, thighs, arms, buttocks… wherever they appear.

In addition, they may also appear:

1. A curious fact is that the belly button comes out as if you had swollen. This happens to most mothers and after birth it will return to its previous position.
2. Varicose veins due to enlargement and pressure of the veins. They are hereditary and the propensity is higher if your mother has them.
3. Varicose veins are veins that branch and become visible in the epidermis. They are displayed on various parts of the body such as breasts, neck and arms.
4. Both of these symptoms occur in part due to increased estrogen, and many of them dissipate within a few weeks of giving birth.
5. You feel the contractions;
6. You may start to feel cramps in your legs, like you’re on a ramp. They hurt a lot and are partly due to the weight of the baby your body has to bear (remember that now you weigh more and so does the baby). The back tries to shape itself to support some of this load, changing its curvature. Hence pregnant women who walk on their stomachs. However, this weight falls on the legs which can be overworked and cause punctures, cramping and pain.

Special Advice and Care:

To avoid these cramps , we always recommend that you have your body in shape. If you get out for 30 minutes a day, walking at a good pace, your legs will get stronger and your symptoms will be milder. You can also practice yoga (with the gynecologist’s permission) or go swimming.

Finally, remember your responsibility as a mother-to-be. From beginning to end, every week, she avoids smoking as much as possible. She does not drink alcoholic beverages and takes care of eating habits. Eating healthy determines the health of the baby, as what you eat goes into the amniotic fluid.

22 Weeks Pregnancy: Your Checklist:

It’s better to start getting organized early rather than leaving things to the last minute; That way you can take your time. Start putting together a decorating and shopping plan for your baby’s nursery and a list of other baby essentials you’ll need, like a car seat and stroller.

The second trimester is a great time to “babymoon” your partner, so consider going on a short vacation or weekend soon.

If you happen to have a prenatal appointment this week, you can ask your doctor what to do if you get the flu. There may be certain medications she recommends avoiding taking during pregnancy.

If you’re 22 weeks pregnant with twins , consider taking early maternity leave, as twins or multiples often arrive earlier than expected. Consult your supplier and take the time to discuss your plans with your employer.