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22 weeks pregnant: what happens to mom, development, belly
At the 22nd week, the second trimester continues, this is the last week of the 5th month of pregnancy with the traditional calculation of the period from the last day of the menstrual cycle. The fruit grows and develops, the “equator” of its formation is passed. The future mother is feeling well, she has an excellent appetite, her stomach does not interfere with rest and doing the necessary work.
What happens to a woman’s body at the 22th week of pregnancy?
At this time, the expectant mother needs to take care of comfortable clothes for herself, which will not squeeze the enlarged tummy. It is difficult to prevent the appearance of stretch marks if the skin is very delicate, so it is advisable to moisturize it with a special cream.
In the 22nd week of pregnancy, a woman picks up clothes that do not put pressure on her stomach.
The uterus begins to enlarge. It already rests against the diaphragm, puts a little pressure on the digestive organs. Difficulty breathing, problems with digestion or bowel movements may occur. With frequent constipation, hemorrhoids appear, which must be treated under the supervision of a doctor. If the diet is balanced, it contains enough plant fiber and fermented milk products, the likelihood of frequent constipation and the occurrence of hemorrhoids is reduced.
A woman with a good appetite begins to gain weight. Normally, during pregnancy, the increase in body weight is about 11-15 kg. At the 22nd week, mom should gain no more than 6 kg overweight before pregnancy. Further weight gain is agreed with the attending physician.
Light, painless contractions at 22 weeks are not a health hazard. This is normal as the uterus prepares for future labor.
Anxiety should be caused by severe pain during labor, it can be a harbinger of premature birth. Bloody discharge from the vagina is also dangerous; when it appears, you need to call an ambulance.
To the delight of the woman, her toxicosis does not bother her during this period. There may be a feeling of back pain, so you need to strengthen the spine with a special exercise for pregnant women. Do not load your back – spend a lot of time sitting, wearing high-heeled shoes. After spending an hour in a chair at the computer, you need to reward yourself with a walk.
Unfortunately, back pain can be a warning sign of kidney or stomach disease, then a doctor’s consultation is needed.
During the next examination by a gynecologist at the 22nd week, the woman’s blood pressure and abdominal circumference are measured, weighed, and listened to how the fetal heart beats.
The doctor prescribes a second scheduled ultrasound scan and tests, if this has not been done before
On ultrasound, a specialist examines the fetus, determines the normal ratio of body parts, assesses the level of development and functioning of the baby’s organs. Attention is paid to the amount and transparency of amniotic fluid, the condition of the umbilical cord and placenta.
Blood and urine tests will help the doctor determine the level of sugar, hemoglobin, and the presence of an inflammatory process in a woman’s body. With a timely detected disease, its treatment will give the child a chance to develop normally and be born healthy.
Fetal development at 22 weeks
The weight of the fetus during this period is from 400 to 500 g. His brain is almost formed, internal organs begin to develop intensively – the heart increases in size, calcium is deposited in the bones. The formation of the spine, all vertebrae and intervertebral discs has already been completed.
What happens to the fetus at the 22nd week of pregnancy can be seen on ultrasound
A fluff appeared on the baby’s skin – thin hairs that hold the original lubricant covering his body. The lubricant protects the baby from the action of amniotic fluid and helps to pass through the birth canal at the time of birth. This fluff will disappear by the time of delivery.
The baby begins to move more and more actively inside the mother’s belly, reminding of his existence
He can already listen to loud music and express his dissatisfaction with jerks. Too frequent movements of the baby may indicate that he does not have enough oxygen. This happens for various reasons, for example, if a woman has anemia. When fetal movements are absent for more than a day, you need to inform the doctor about this.
A pregnant woman needs to monitor her diet so as not to gain extra pounds. The menu should be complete and balanced, contain a sufficient amount of protein – these are dishes from lean meat, fish, cottage cheese.
Especially useful are dairy products that contain calcium – yogurt, kefir, milk and cheese
The use of muffins and sweets should be limited. They contain fast carbohydrates, which lead to unwanted weight gain and disrupt intestinal motility. It is also advisable to reduce the amount of salt in food, it can retain water in the body and cause swelling.
To prevent anemia, you need to eat buckwheat porridge and beef liver dishes. All kinds of vegetable salads with olive oil dressing and fresh fruits that do not cause allergies are useful. It is advisable to discuss with your doctor which vitamin preparations should be drunk. It is impossible to buy vitamins at the pharmacy on your own, they must be prescribed by the attending doctor after receiving the test results.
At the 22nd week, the intensive growth of the fetus continues, the formation of internal organs is underway. The expectant mother needs to be attentive to her health, inform the doctor about sudden pains and ailments, monitor her diet and often walk in the fresh air.
What happens when you get pregnant with twins?
The weight of the children is 460 g, the height is 27,3 cm. Their eyes are still colorless, but they are already completely ready for normal functioning. Also, hearing has finally developed, so you can communicate with babies. At the 22nd week, you need to look for a consultation with a gynecologist and, if necessary, pass additional tests. The woman continues to suffer from heartburn. Added to it is a new unpleasant symptom – back pain. Carrying twins is not easy, so it puts a lot of stress on the back.
Each new week brings its own changes. Not all of them feel good, but try to think only about the positive, because soon you will meet your children.