Your growing baby
Your baby is about the size of a papaya 28cms (head to heel) and weighs around 430g.
Facial features continue to become more distinct and the lips are now fully formed. Canine and incisor tooth buds have appeared just below the gums in preparation for emerging as milk teeth a few months after birth. The eyes have formed but the irises show no sign of pigmentation yet.
Oxygen and nutrients are being distributed around your baby’s body by the blood from the umbilical cord, flowing at a speed of four miles an hour.
Organ systems in the body are more functional and specialised and the pancreas continues to develop steadily.
Your baby’s skin is covered with deep wrinkles, which will gradually disappear as more fat is laid down. Fine hairs still cover the body to help keep your baby warm before a fat layer takes over the job.
Pregnancy week 22 – What’s happening to you
Stretch marks may start to appear on your abdomen. More than half of pregnant women will develop stretch marks. These occur if the natural elasticity of the skin becomes over-stretched. They appear as reddish lines, often on the breasts, stomach and thighs.
There is little you can do to prevent them, although not putting on too much weight will help. Moisturising your skin will keep it supple. Once you have had your baby the lines will fade and become less noticeable.
People will probably be forever touching your bump by now and giving you advice on your size or lack of it! Try not to worry about this well-meaning advice as all babies and their mothers will grow at their own rate. If you are worried about your size, always talk to your health professional.
Need to know
Things for you to consider during week 22 of your pregnancy
Start to think about when you want your maternity leave to begin. You will need to let your employer know 15 weeks before your baby is due.
Your partner will also need to tell their employer when they want to take paternity leave 15 weeks before the baby is due.
Becoming forgetful?
Forgetfulness, sometimes called ‘pregnancy brain’ or ‘maternal amnesia’ is very common in pregnancy. Research has shown that the brain really does function differently during pregnancy, but pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep also have a part to play in this very common condition.