Week 22 Of Pregnancy

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• QHow should I prepare for my baby's birth during week 22 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Prepare for your baby's birth by making sure you're enrolled in a childbirth preparation class. If you have not looked into one of these classes previously, it is important to sign up soon, because classes often last several weeks and you'll want to have completed your class by the time you reach week 37.
  
  You can also help prepare for your baby by taking care of yourself; make sure you're eating right and getting plenty of exercise. As your body changes, you may also want to learn posture techniques to help relieve lower back pain. There is evidence to suggest that seeing a doctor to manage back pain can help you deliver faster and regain a pre-pregnancy shape more readily.
• QHow is my baby growing and developing during week 22?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By week 22 of pregnancy your baby now looks pretty much the way it will when it is born - a miniature version, at least. At this point, the eyes are developed, although the iris is not yet showing its color. Your baby has probably developed eyebrows and is otherwise coated in a very thin, soft layer of hair called lanugo. The baby's skin is usually very wrinkled, and it will likely stay this way until its body grows and produces more fat, stretching out the skin.

• QWhat is the size of my baby during week 22?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 22, your baby looks like a very tiny version of a normal-sized baby. You probably will not feel small, though. At this point, your baby will typically be between 10 and 11 inches long and weighs nearly a pound - 14 or 15 ounces.
  
  
• QWhat prenatal care do I need during week 22 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If you have not already signed yourself up for a class that teaches you about childbirth and labor, you'll want to do that right away. Many classes last for several weeks, and you'll want to make sure your class is complete before you reach week 37. Childbirth classes can help you identify labor, know what to do when it occurs, and help teach to techniques to use while giving birth. You should also see your doctor regularly to make sure that your baby is continuing to grow and develop at a normal rate.

• QHow will I feel during week 22 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Many women report that the second half of their second trimester (which includes week 22) is a high point in their pregnancy. The burdens of morning sickness and other early discomforts are over, but at week 22 women are not usually large enough to feel uncomfortable or pained by their size. Your center of gravity may be shifting, though, so you may start to feel a little less agile on your feet. You may start to have stretch marks and may be dealing with acne as a result of your oiler-than-normal skin, but in general most women feel content at this stage.

• QWhat changes will I experience during week 22 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 22, your body may begin preparing for birth. Some women start experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which are "practice" contractions that your uterus makes weeks before you are actually ready to deliver. These "false" contractions are normal and are not dangerous. You might also start developing stretch marks during week 22. Stretch marks don't happen to everyone, but if they do, they frequently appear on your abdomen, rear, or thighs and may not go away after you give birth.

• QWhat will I look like during week 22 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By week 22, you probably look noticeably pregnant. Your abdomen is likely expanded to the point where you may begin to develop stretch marks. Your belly button may also pop out soon. Your center of gravity is likely changing as your uterus rises even more in your body; it is now a little less than an inch above your belly button.
  
  
• QWhat is important to know during week 22 of my pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By week 22, your body may try to prepare itself for birth. You may have Braxton Hicks contractions, which are false and painless contractions that do not indicate labor. You should also not be surprised if you start seeing stretch marks at this point, or if your belly button begins to pop out or protrude. Now is a prime time to enroll in a childbirth preparation class, to ensure that you have time to finish the class before week 37 of your pregnancy.

• QHow might my actions affect my baby during week 22 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  During week 22, as with the rest of your pregnancy, it is important to keep up healthy habits like eating nutritiously, avoiding dangerous substances like smoking or alcohol or raw fish, and getting enough exercise. Additionally, many women become concerned about premature labor in their 22nd week. If you're worried about premature labor, the best thing you can do is pay attention to your body's signals. If you're having unusual pressure or pain in your abdomen or pelvis, see your doctor right away.

• QWhat are common problems that may occur during week 22 of pregnancy?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Week 22 is when many women begin to worry about premature birth, which can start to happen around this time in a pregnancy. False, painless contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions may scare some women into thinking that they are going into early labor. These contractions are nothing to worry about unless they become increasingly severe, painful, or very frequent, in which case, you should contact your doctor.
  
  Other signs of premature labor include having unusual vaginal discharge, feeling pressure on your pelvis, or having pain or cramping on your lower back or abdomen. These sensations may be normal, but contact your doctor if these symptoms persist.