Pregnancy – Week 22

Your growing baby and expanding uterus may be causing pain to your lower ribs as they get pushed outwards.
Your ribcage rises a little as it’s pushed upward. Lifting your arms above your head and sitting up as straight as you can may lessen the discomfort. This is a good time to try different ways of easing discomfort for now and during labour and birth.

Mum

Your ligaments are beginning to soften as your body prepares itself for delivery. Walking shouldn’t be an effort but ensure you are exercising safely and keep up your healthy eating plan. You’ve probably gained up to 6.5 kilograms (14.3 pounds) and will gain weight steadily from now on. You’re still able to bend over and sit comfortably at this stage.

Food cravings may have begun and vaginal discharge (not bloody) might have increased. These are normal for pregnancy. You may also have some mild swelling of ankles and feet.

Your movements can now wake the little one growing inside you.

Bub

If baby is a boy he is already starting to produce testosterone and his testes have started to descend from the pelvic area into his scrotum.

He is learning the sound of your voice while in utero and will recognise it more than other voices after birth. The same singing and talking sounds bub hears now will sooth him after he is born.

Baby is weighing around 470 grams (1 pound) with a length of approximately 28cm (11 inches) and his skin is wrinkled as his baby fat hasn’t developed yet. The pancreas is developing steadily and is essential in the production of hormones.

Tips

Increase your intake of calcium and potassium (milk, grapefruit, oranges and bananas) to help reduce cramping.
If you do suffer leg cramps, try forcing your toes back toward your face and pushing down on the knee to straighten your leg.