The change of pregnant women week 22

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Ly Thi Thanh Nha - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital Da Nang.
At 22 weeks pregnant, the symptoms of morning sickness gradually disappear, making women feel better. Your uterus is still growing at 22 weeks, and you may experience some cramping and mild swelling in your legs and feet as well as your ankles.

1. What's special about 22 weeks pregnant?

At 22 weeks pregnant, women are in the 5th month of pregnancy. The fetus is now nearly 20cm long and weighs about 0.45kg with the size of a red bell pepper. All the functional systems are forming inside the fetus, including:
The hormones that stimulate the internal organs to work. Formation of the nerves of touch, smell and all other senses. Genital development: The boy's testicles have begun to descend; The baby's uterus, ovaries, and vagina are all in place. With each passing week, your baby's muscles are getting stronger and stronger, and eyelids and eyebrows are also starting to develop. The fetus will move a lot in response to sounds and melodies heard from outside. The mother's singing and voice can now comfort the baby.

2. Symptoms of the mother during the 22nd week of pregnancy

Thicker and stronger hair 22 weeks pregnant can enjoy the benefits of pregnancy hormones. Specifically, the hair will be in place, the hair will be thicker and the nails will also become stronger. However, with this comes unwanted mustache and hair growth. Women should consider that if they want to pluck or shave their mustache at this stage, be aware that chemical hair removal products are not safe for pregnancy.
Heartburn or indigestion Because the fetus is growing and needs to be nourished in the womb, a 22 week pregnant woman will have intense cravings and seem to be able to consume very large amounts of food. big. This is completely normal but can cause women to experience heartburn or indigestion. So stock up on healthy snacks like fruits, chopped vegetables, nuts, and whole-grain crackers.
Constipation At 22 weeks pregnant, the mother's growing uterus puts pressure on the intestines, making it more difficult to push waste out of the body. Pregnant women at 22 weeks can improve constipation by practicing the habit of having a bowel movement at the same time every day to stimulate bowel movements.
Fainting or dizziness Dizziness is a common symptom in pregnancy caused by a drop in blood pressure. 22 weeks pregnant women's blood can't move as fast as it used to, making them feel dizzy when they just stand up or after standing for a long time. Besides, the expanding uterus also puts pressure on the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing mild headaches. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will help keep the blood pumping steadily through the circulatory system. Need to add more water if the weather is hot or the mother has to exercise a lot.
Leg cramps Some experts theorize that leg cramps at 22 weeks of pregnancy could be caused by a lack of calcium or magnesium in the diet. Women should take a daily prenatal vitamin as prescribed by their obstetrician to reduce the frequency of painful cramps.
Stretch marks 22 weeks pregnant will begin to see stretch marks not only on the abdomen but also on the hips, thighs and breasts. Applying moisturizer all over the body for pregnant women may not be a miracle cure for stretch marks, but women should continue this skin care process to limit itching and dry skin.

Protruding navel Many pregnant women do not like their navel, which is normal, suddenly protrudes, causing unsightly. However, this is an unavoidable fact, women should also rest assured because after giving birth, the navel will return to its original shape.

3. Tips for pregnancy week 22

At 22 weeks pregnant, most parents already know the sex of the fetus in the womb. So now is the time to choose and determine the name they will give the baby. In addition, pregnant women at week 22 should also refer to the following tips for this week:
Calcium and potassium supplements To limit cramps, 22 weeks pregnant women should provide more calcium and potassium for the body. Drink a glass of milk before bed every day or snack on potassium-rich foods, such as grapefruit, oranges, and bananas. Alternatively, you can try sitting with legs straight and toes flexed toward the body when cramps occur. Avoid crossing your legs and sitting or standing for too long, which can cause blood to pool in your legs and cause varicose veins.
Communicating with friends and relatives Many pregnant women will feel their days are longer and even tired because most of the time they are just staying at home resting or watching entertainment programs. 22 weeks pregnant should take time to meet friends and relatives to talk about the upcoming due date, parenting and discuss the baby's name. If the mother does not want the whole story to revolve around the topic of pregnancy, the mother can completely prepare a few topics of interest and find someone to share.
Prepare for "fake" contractions Braxton Hicks Braxton Hicks contractions make 22 weeks pregnant women feel abnormal in their abdomen, they are not painful but seem to be tightening the muscles. This is simply a time when the uterus is practicing labor maneuvers to prepare for the upcoming due date and there is nothing dangerous about it. Although difficult to distinguish from true contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions are not powerful enough to push the fetus out of the womb.
Learn screening for preterm birth The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test can predict the risk of preterm birth. Among them, fFN is a substance that helps keep the fetus in the mother's uterus. If the test result is negative, the woman is not at risk for preterm birth. Conversely, for women who are likely to go into labor early, the doctor will take the necessary steps to prolong the pregnancy.
Magnesium supplements In addition to strengthening bones and teeth for babies, magnesium also works to stimulate enzyme function, regulate insulin and control blood sugar. 22 weeks pregnant with magnesium deficiency will feel tired, weak, leg cramps or numbness. Other serious consequences can include poor fetal growth or preeclampsia. Ask your doctor for advice on how to add magnesium to your diet at 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Physical and mental exercise Scientific research shows that physical exercise not only increases the mother's muscle strength, but also supports the baby's brain, helping the baby to be born healthy and smart. At the same time, gentle exercises, such as yoga or breathing exercises, are considered a great mental relaxant, a great stress reliever, helping pregnant women deal with pregnancy anxiety and even contractions. premature labor.
Smart consumption With the mentality of always wanting to bring the best for their children, pregnant women easily spend on prepackaged foods in beautiful packaging, advertised as healthy and safe. for pregnant women and nutrition for the fetus. In fact, pregnant women at 22 weeks should prepare their own meals according to the guidance of an obstetrician, focusing on the real nutritional ingredients inside a product rather than the label outside and the price being charged. unreasonable push.
Limited cosmetic beauty There has been no research to prove that collagen injections, fillers or fillers will be safe for pregnant women. Therefore, the best way is for pregnant women to completely stop cosmetic procedures. Besides, at 22 weeks of pregnancy onwards, water retention can naturally tighten a woman's facial skin, causing wrinkles to be visibly reduced.

Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal check-ups, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and other routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively. Pregnant women will no longer be alone when entering labor because having a loved one to help them during childbirth always brings peace of mind and happiness.
Master. Doctor. Ly Thi Thanh Nha has worked at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and Quang Tri Provincial General Hospital before working at Vinmec Danang International General Hospital as it is today. Dr. Nha has strengths and experience in diagnosing, monitoring and treating pregnancy, pregnancy pathology. Pregnancy screening. Perform caesarean section techniques. Laparoscopic surgery to treat ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Article reference source: webmd.com, whattoexpect, parent.com