Only a few more weeks before you get to meet your precious little one! However, there is still some way to go to get there. This article puts together some suggestions and answers to any questions you might be having about your 22nd week.
Your baby has begun to perceive the world more and more, as his sense of hearing, sight and touch are improving. Increasing grip strength means that your little one will hang on to his umbilical cord for dear life, but there is no need for concern, this is normal. Fine hair called lanugo is covering the body of the foetus, with wrinkles set deep in the skin. Lung development is also happening rapidly in preparation for breathing independently. Your little one can now tell the difference between day and night, as well as hear and differentiate different sounds like your voice, heartbeat, stomach and any music you might be playing. Fully developed lips, as well as teeth buds under the gums, have formed. By now, if you press against your belly you will be able to feel your baby squirm away or push back.
Your baby has hit a weight breakthrough, finally weighing nearly 0.5 kg, making him approximately papaya-sized. At 22 weeks pregnant the baby’s size is around a foot from head to toe and the foetus is beginning to look like a mini-baby.
After 22 weeks of carrying your baby around everywhere you go, you will experience some new body changes during pregnancy this week:
This week will have you feeling pretty much the same symptoms as the last couple of weeks, as you cross the middle of your second trimester.
In your 22nd week of pregnancy, your tummy will be around 25 cm from top to bottom. Now is the time for you to start eating for two. However, most experts advise eating no more than 300 calories extra every day. It is also healthy to have smaller but more frequent meals, keeping your energy level high and your indigestion and constipation levels low.
Doing an ultrasound, especially the 3D version, will let you see that your foetus looks more like a baby than ever. With lips and eyes almost fully-formed, your mid-pregnancy ultrasound will let you look at all the organ systems of your baby. You might even catch it sleeping in its preferred foetal position. Don’t worry if you don’t see any movement or feel kicks, as your baby sleeps up to 16 hours a day at this point. Another interesting point to note is that your baby is finally making its own blood cells from its bone marrow, rather than employing the liver or spleen for this purpose.
Nutrition is one of the most crucial aspects of your pregnancy. In your 22nd week, there are a few nutrients that you should not skip under any circumstances. 22nd week pregnancy food includes nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B-complex and zinc through preferably organic sources. Avoid food that might have been grown with herbicides or pesticides as they could harm the growing baby. Don’t forget the powerful Omega-3 fatty acids which you can get from fish and nuts, as they are important in your child’s mental development. However, certain kinds of fish are tainted with mercury and must be avoided, such as swordfish and mackerel. It is also inadvisable to consume street food as they could be contaminated with harmful bacteria. One of the most important things you can do is cut out alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes altogether. And last but not least, remember to keep yourself hydrated with at least 3 litres of water per day.
You can keep in mind the following at 22 weeks in order to get through this time of pregnancy with proper care.
With your feet swelling rapidly, one of the more sensible things to purchase is a pair of comfortable shoes. Maternity dresses and bras are still on the table, as the increase in your body size shows no signs of slowing down. Stock up on moisturisers for your chapped skin, as well as prenatal vitamins to keep both you and your baby healthy and strong.
It is important to collect all the relevant information to avoid the stress and doubt that is a part and parcel of pregnancy so that you can have a safe and healthy journey to motherhood.
Read this article in Arabic: الأسبوع 22 من الحمل: ما الذي يمكن أن تتوقعينه