Tracy Norris
Does your stomach twitch? Then your unborn baby is now having its first hiccups. This and more happen in week 22.
22 weeks: This happens in and with your body
Many pregnant women suffer from an increased need for magnesium from around the 22nd week of pregnancy. This is noticeable, for example, in nightly calf cramps. You can get the additional magnesium from foods rich in magnesium, for example from the consumption of nuts and whole grain products. Good news: dark chocolate also contains a lot of magnesium. But adding magnesium supplements can also help now. However, be sure to discuss this with your doctor before taking it.
This helps against calf cramps:
- Go for a walk/exercise
- Elevate your legs at night
- Drink plenty of water
- Foods high in magnesium
- Magnesium supplements (in consultation with your doctor)
- Avoid high heels
In addition to the cramps, swollen legs and water retention can now also occur. What you can do to relieve these symptoms:
- Avoid standing and sitting for long periods (maximum three hours at a time)
- put your feet up
- Stimulate blood circulation in your legs with circular movements of your feet
- Walks in the fresh air
- wear compression stockings
Contrast showers for the legs
A visible change around the 22nd week of pregnancy is the possible elevation of the so-called Montgomery glands. They are located at the areola and release sebum to care for sensitive skin. This prepares the nipple for future breastfeeding.
Due to the increased blood flow in the abdomen, many pregnant women now experience increased vaginal discharge. Some women also suffer from hemorrhoids. Since you should avoid medication during pregnancy, it is best to use home remedies for hemorrhoids.
That happens during the second major check-up
Between the 19th and 22nd week of pregnancy, the second major check-up at the gynecologist takes place. The mother’s weight and blood pressure are checked, her urine is examined for protein, sugar, and germs, and the hemoglobin content is measured. The doctor will also check the position of the uterus. An ultrasound is also part of the second major check-up.
This is what the ultrasound examines:
- Position, heart activity, and movement of the fetus
- amount of amniotic fluid
- Position and activity of the placenta
- singleton or multiple pregnancies
Baby biometrics:
- Crown to Crown Distance = Biparietal Diameter (BPD)
- Distance from forehead to occiput = frontal-occipital diameter (FOD); Alternative: head circumference (KU)
- Distance from left to right side of abdomen = abdominal-thoracic transverse diameter (ATD); Alternatives: distance from navel to spine = abdomen-thoracic diameter (APD) or abdominal circumference = abdomen-thoracic circumference (AU)
- Femur = Femur Length (FL)
In addition to this standard examination, you are free to have the physical development of your offspring examined. As part of the extended basic ultrasound examination, the gynecologist examines the baby for abnormalities. He looks to see if the brain and head shape are normal and if there are any abnormalities in the neck or back. He also checks whether the heart is beating normally and is in the right place, as well as the functioning of the other organs.
22nd week of pregnancy: This is what the fetus looks like now
At 22 weeks gestation, the fetus is around 28 centimeters long and weighs around 475 grams. This is about the weight of a mango. From now on, the unborn baby gains weight. Growth, on the other hand, is slowing down a bit. The head diameter (BPD) of the fetus is now about 55 millimeters.
Around the 22nd week of pregnancy, many babies have hiccups for the first time – and the mother-to-be can feel it. Belly twitching may come as a surprise at first, but you’ll get used to it over the next few weeks. The hiccups are normal and will now be felt regularly. Because: The baby practices breathing and inhales and exhales amniotic fluid. The rhythmic contraction of the diaphragm can cause hiccups. The mother perceives this as a light pounding or even a gentle bouncing of the abdomen.
The skin of the fetus is still covered by lanugo hair at 22 weeks gestation. It is becoming increasingly less transparent and increasingly rosy. The baby’s tongue is slowly developing its first taste buds. This enables it to differentiate between different tastes immediately after birth.
