Your time to meet the precious little one is getting closer day by day! Now there is a way to feel like you are with it, to find out how it is, to follow its progress... This study brings together some suggestions and answers to questions you might have about your 22nd week.

Baby Growth

As hearing, sight and touch develop, your baby begins to perceive the world more and more. Fine hair, called lanugo, wrinkles deep in the skin and covers the body of the fetus. Lung development also occurs rapidly in preparation for independent breathing. Your little one can now tell the difference between day and night, hearing and distinguishing different sounds like your voice, heartbeat, stomach and any music you play. Tooth buds have formed under the gums as well as fully developed lips. If you press on your tummy, you will be able to feel your baby fidgeting or being pushed back.

Baby movements may not be stable at 22 weeks, but this is very normal. Some days you may feel more intense kicks and wiggles, while other days your baby may be less active.

Fetal movements become more stable from the 28th week. That`s when you can track the movements daily.

Baby Size

Your baby weighs approximately 430 g and is 27.8 cm tall. At the 22. week of pregnancy, the baby is a foot tall from head to toe and the fetus begins to look like a mini-doll.

Common Body Changes

You will experience some new body changes during pregnancy this week:

1. Hair change: The hair on your head looks much thicker and shiny. This is because you lose less hair during pregnancy due to all these hormones circulating in your body. Similarly, you will notice an increase in body hair due to the small amount of male sex hormone (testosterone) your body is currently producing. You will find these hairs mostly on your face, stomach, legs, chest and back.

1. Change in skin: This symptom is a bit of a mess. Some pregnant women find their skin glowing, while others find it oily, with inflamed acne. Sometimes jumps in melanin levels can create dark spots on your face. Using sunscreen, or better yet, avoiding from sun completely is your best bet. Another problem that can be permanent is stretch marks caused by your expanding pregnancy belly. There is little you can do about these blemishes, but apply soothing balms if they are itchy too much.

1. Change in nails: Like hair, nails grow faster during pregnancy, however, whether they become hard, soft, rough, smooth or brittle depends on your body.

1. Change in breasts: You will notice that your nipples and areola are larger and darker than usual. There may also be minor swellings. This is due to the sebaceous glands that produce lubricating antibacterial oil to prevent your nipples from chapping when you start breastfeeding.

1. Change in feet: Your increased foot size is caused by edema or just swelling due to water. It can also be caused by hormone production aimed at loosening your stiff joints.

Pregnancy Signs

1. Indigestion: It is one of the most common symptoms, especially if you eat spicy, fatty or hot foods for your snacks, thus, do not deviate from your healthy eating standard.

1. Constipation: This is because your little one is growing and putting pressure on the large intestine, making it harder to expel wastes.

1. Cramps: You may find yourself suffering from cramps, especially in your legs. This is most likely due to a mineral deficiency in your diet. Ask your doctor to prescribe you some multi-vitamins.

1. Enlarged tummy: Your tummy will now be much bigger. The most common symptom associated with it is a protruding belly button that will return to normal after delivery.

1. Lethargy: You will feel much lazier or more tired than usual. This is because of the pressure your uterus puts on your blood vessels and your brain. It may even make you faint or dizzy.

1. Increased sex drive: While this may seem unexpected, your libido will increase significantly as your hormones change.

1. Vaginal discharge: You will be producing much more fluid than usual. But this is completely normal and ensures healthy vaginal flora.

1. Back pain: Now is the time when you will begin to experience the effects of carrying all that weight and feeling your baby`s pressure on your spine. Doing some massage time will definitely help. But consult your doctor before getting a massage.

Abdomen

At your 22nd week of pregnancy, your belly will be approximately 25 cm from top to bottom. Most experts recommend that you eat no more than 300 extra calories each day. It`s also healthy to eat smaller but more frequent meals that will keep your energy levels high and your indigestion and constipation levels low.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound, especially the 3D version, will allow you to see that your fetus looks more like a baby than usual. With its lips and eyes almost fully formed, your mid-pregnancy ultrasound will allow you to look at all of your baby`s organ systems. You can even catch it sleeping in its preferred fetal position. If you don`t see any movement or feel a kick at this point, don`t worry as your baby sleeps up to 16 hours a day. Another interesting point is that your baby finally makes its own blood cells from the bone marrow instead of using its liver or spleen for this purpose.

What to Eat?

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of your pregnancy. There are a few foods that you should not skip under any circumstances during your 22nd week. 22nd week pregnancy foods contain nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, B-complex and zinc, preferably through organic sources. Avoid foods grown with herbicides or pesticides, as they can harm the growing baby. Don`t forget the powerful Omega-3 fatty acids you can get from fish and nuts as they are important for your baby`s mental development. However, some types of fish, such as swordfish and mackerel, should not be consumed due to their high mercury content. It is also not recommended to consume street food as it may be contaminated with harmful bacteria. One of the most important things you can do is cut down on alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes completely.

You need water and other fluids more than ever while you are pregnant. Because fluids help your body process nutrients, create new cells, maintain blood volume and regulate body temperature. You may feel better if you drink more water while pregnant. 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, so an average of 2 liters of water is a good target. If you consume enough water, some of the problems you experience during pregnancy may decrease. Headaches, uterine cramps and urinary bladder infections are less of a problem when you drink plenty of water. To test whether you`re drinking enough water, you can look at the color of your urine. If it`s light yellow or clear, you`re getting enough fluids, if it`s dark yellow, you`re not drinking enough.

Tips and Care

1. There will be many people commenting on your growing belly and skin glow in week 22. There will be more who want to touch your belly to feel the little one inside you. If you`re comfortable it`s fine, but if you`re uncomfortable, your personal space is yours and it`s unacceptable to let strangers invade it.

1. Keep your blood sugar high to avoid feeling tired; carry lots of healthy food with you to snack on throughout the day.

Don’ts

1. Also watch out for Braxton Hicks contractions, which can cause you to feel like strange tightness in your lower abdomen. Don`t worry as they are harmless, but call your doctor if they persist for too long.

1. Do not stress. There is already a lot going on in your life; No need to add worries to this list. If you`re feeling inexplicably upset or tense, give yourself a break, relax, watch TV, meet up with friends, or whatever it takes to amuse you.

Shopping

As your feet are swelling rapidly, one of the most sensible things to buy is a pair of comfortable shoes. Maternity dresses and bras are still on the agenda, as the increase in your body size shows no signs of slowing down. Stock up on moisturizers for your chapped skin, as well as prenatal vitamins to keep both you and your baby healthy and strong.

In order for you to have a safe and healthy journey into motherhood, it is important to gather all the necessary information to avoid the stress and doubt that are an integral part of pregnancy. You`re almost into your 6th month of pregnancy. You can make this period when your pregnancy is relatively easy, even more beautiful with an activity. You can get together with your loved ones and celebrate the arrival of your baby.