22-Week Pregnancy

Welcome to the 22nd week of your pregnancy! Your baby continues to grow and develop rapidly. This week, your baby’s senses are becoming more refined and they begin to perceive their surroundings.

Size and Weight:
At 22 weeks, your baby is approximately 27–28 cm long and weighs 450–500 grams. You can think of it as the size of a coconut.

Organ Development:
Your baby’s organs continue to mature. The lungs are developing and beginning to produce a substance called surfactant. Surfactant helps the lungs expand and fill with air after birth. The pancreas starts producing important hormones, such as insulin. The digestive system is developing, and your baby starts swallowing and processing amniotic fluid.

Sensory Development:
Your baby’s senses are rapidly developing. They can hear sounds more clearly and distinguish between different noises. They respond to sounds in the womb, music, and even your voice. They can detect light and open and close their eyes. Taste buds are developed, allowing your baby to taste the amniotic fluid. The sense of touch is also developing, enabling your baby to touch the uterine wall, umbilical cord, and their own body.

Movements:
At 22 weeks, your baby’s movements are stronger and more frequent. You can now feel kicks, nudges, rolls, and even hiccups more clearly. Feeling your baby’s movements is both exciting and reassuring.

Appearance:
Your baby’s skin is still thin and wrinkled but covered with a white, creamy substance called vernix caseosa. This protects the skin from amniotic fluid and acts as a lubricant during birth. Fine hairs called lanugo also cover your baby’s body.

At the 22nd week of your pregnancy, your body also undergoes many changes.

Physical Changes:

• Growing belly: Your abdomen continues to expand, and your belly button may start to protrude.
• Weight gain: It is normal to have gained approximately 6–8 kg by this week.
• Breast growth: Your breasts continue to enlarge, and colostrum production increases.
• Skin changes: You may notice spots, stretch marks, or visible veins on your skin.
• Changes in hair and nails: Your hair may become thicker and shinier, and your nails may grow faster.
• Other changes: You may experience varicose veins, swelling (edema), back pain, lower back pain, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and numbness in hands and feet.

Emotional Changes:

• Emotional fluctuations: Hormonal changes may cause mood swings.
• Anxiety and worry: You may feel anxious or concerned about your baby’s health, childbirth, and parenting.
• Maternal instinct: Your maternal instinct continues to develop, and your desire to bond with your baby increases. Feeling your baby’s movements helps strengthen this bond.

Eating a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy is very important for both your health and your baby’s health.

Essential Nutrients:

• Protein: Adequate protein intake is important for your baby’s rapid growth. Sources include meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts.
• Calcium: Calcium is important for your baby’s bone development. Sources include milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, almonds, and calcium-fortified foods.
• Iron: Your iron needs increase due to the expansion of blood volume. Sources include red meat, dried legumes, green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits.
• Folic acid: Folic acid intake is important to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Sources include green leafy vegetables, legumes, cereals, and folic acid supplements.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are important for your baby’s brain development. Sources include salmon, tuna, walnuts, and flaxseed.
• Fiber: Consuming fiber-rich foods helps prevent constipation. Sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Foods to Avoid:

• Mercury-containing fish: Avoid fish such as swordfish, shark, and mackerel that contain mercury.
• Raw or undercooked meat and eggs: These increase the risk of food poisoning.
• Unpasteurized milk and cheese: These may contain harmful bacteria.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can harm your baby’s development.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications.
• Excessive caffeine: Excess caffeine consumption may cause miscarriage.
• Processed foods: Processed foods are high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat and are unhealthy.

Your baby’s gender may have been determined in previous ultrasound scans. If you have not learned it yet, you can find out your baby’s gender during the ultrasound performed at 22 weeks of pregnancy. However, if the baby’s position is not suitable, it may not be clearly visible.

A routine ultrasound is generally not performed at 22 weeks of pregnancy. However, your doctor may request an ultrasound to assess your baby’s development or to check for any issues. If a detailed ultrasound was performed in previous weeks, it may not need to be repeated at this stage.

In the 22nd week of your pregnancy, it is important to take certain precautions to protect your health and your baby's development.

Signs of Preterm Labor:

22-week pregnancy is still a period with a high risk of preterm labor. It is important to pay attention to the following signs of preterm labor and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of them:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Water breaking
• Regular contractions (every 10 minutes or more frequently)
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Back pain
• Pelvic pressure
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Braxton Hicks Contractions:

Braxton Hicks contractions are preparatory contractions of the uterine muscles. These contractions are generally irregular, painless, and short-lived. Braxton Hicks contractions are not a sign of preterm labor, but you should contact your doctor if they become regular and painful.

Other Recommendations:

• Avoid lying on your back: When you lie on your back, your growing uterus can press on major blood vessels, disrupting circulation and causing dizziness or fainting.
• Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothing can impair circulation and cause discomfort.
• Pay attention to footwear: Prefer comfortable, flat-soled shoes instead of high heels or pointed shoes.
• Moisturize your skin: Dry skin and itching are common during pregnancy. It is important to moisturize your skin regularly.
• Take care of your dental health: Pregnancy hormones can make your gums sensitive. Brush your teeth regularly and use dental floss.
• You can continue sexual intercourse: Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you can continue sexual activity during pregnancy.
• Monitor your baby's movements: Once you start feeling your baby's movements, it is important to track them. If you notice a decrease or change in movements, contact your doctor immediately.
• Participate in pregnancy exercises: Pregnancy exercises help you prepare for labor and stay fit during pregnancy.
• Take childbirth education: Childbirth education helps you gain knowledge about the labor process and prepare for delivery.

A Life Health Group has a team of experienced obstetrics and gynecology specialists who are experts in pregnancy follow-up. We provide personalized pregnancy monitoring services for expectant mothers and their babies using the latest technology and methods.

Our Services:

• Gynecology and obstetrics specialist examination
• Ultrasonography (including detailed ultrasound scan)
• Prenatal tests (such as first-trimester screening, triple test, glucose tolerance test)
• Pregnancy education and counseling
• Childbirth preparation courses
• Labor and postpartum services
• Breastfeeding consultation
• Infant care training

Experience a healthy pregnancy with A Life Health Group!