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Week 22
How Big is the Baby at 22
Weeks Pregnant?
Compared to your baby's first weeks of life, your
baby at pregnancy week 22 is now a giant! At more than 7 1/2 inches long your
baby weighs over 12 ounces during pregnancy 22 weeks!
Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your
baby continues to grow each and every day of your pregnancy week by week. His
organs are developing and maturing during pregnancy week 22, as are his internal
systems, including the digestive and reproductive system.
By this point in
time your baby's eyelids have formed and eyebrows have already developed. Your
baby should have fingernails at this point in time. By the time your baby is
born, you may find he is already ready for his first nail trimming!
By
this time your baby's organs are specializing in their functions. By now your
baby is starting to show some unique features. If you were to peak inside the
womb you might notice your baby's first signs of teeth and full lips.
Your Growth and
Development
Your uterus may now be approximately 2 cm or almost
3/4 of an inch above your belly button during pregnancy 22 weeks. Your abdomen
still isn't large enough to be an obstacle at pregnancy week 22, however you may
find that your center of gravity has slightly shifted.
Changes in You
As your abdomen continues
to grow at 22 weeks pregnant you may start developing stretch marks. Some women
start developing stretch marks early in their pregnancy, whereas others develop
them only after the third trimester. An even smaller number of women never get
any! Typically more than half of all women will get stretch marks during their
pregnancy anytime during pregnancy at 22 weeks, before or after. They may form
on the breasts, inner thighs, waist and abdomen as your body expands to
accommodate your growing baby. Typically stretch marks vary in color from white,
to pink or purple and even dark brown depending on your skin color. Many women
believe that religious application of lotion will prevent stretch marks from
forming, but even the most enthusiastic moisturizer may find themselves laden
with stretch marks.
Whether or not you develop stretch marks is largely
genetically determined. Check out your mother's belly. If she has a lot of
stretch marks, chances are you may too. The good news is most stretch marks do
fade in the months following delivery. Even the most intense stretch marks
become lighter after birth. Many women wear their stretch marks with pride, as a
sign of the amazing feat the accomplished creating and carrying life for nine
months.
Lotion and other moisturizers may not help with stretch marks,
but they certainly will help your skin feel supple and help eliminate any
itching you may be experiencing during pregnancy. Many women simply enjoy the
process of applying lotions to their body during pregnancy.
By this time you
might also start noticing that your belly button is starting to protrude. Most
women's navel will protrude or pop out after about the 20th week of pregnancy.
Don't worry, your belly button should return to normal after delivery.
While pregnancy often has many 'ill effects' it often also has many
positive ones on a woman's appearance. Many women are complimented as having a
'glowing' complexion during pregnancy. The increasing amount of blood
circulating through your body can result in a fuller face and flushed cheeks.
Unfortunately pregnancy also sometimes results in a problem that might remind
you of your teenage years… acne. While some women will enjoy a glowing look and
feel during pregnancy, others are plagued with breakouts on their arms, back and
face. This is largely due to the increasing levels of hormones circulating
during your body.
Don't worry; these eruptions will also subside some
time after birth. In fact, most find they are much better as soon as the third
trimester.
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