22 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Body Changes

At 22 weeks pregnant, you are still feeling pretty good and active. If you are still having aches and pains or feel like you are slowing down you may want to look into some different remedies for the problems you're experiencing. You will begin to gain weight more steadily as your baby continues to fill out. The extra weight gain may cause additional strain in your lower back. This can be eased by wearing low-heeled shoes and avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Your uterus has risen to roughly ¾ of an inch above your navel. While your belly isn’t tremendous yet, it certain changes your profile. Many women start noticing stretch marks at or around this time, though some won’t notice them until the third trimester and still others will barely get any stretch marks during pregnancy.

Roughly half of all pregnant women develop stretch marks during their pregnancy. Many women develop them on their bellies, breasts, thighs and even buttocks during pregnancy.

In the second trimester libido is usually increased. With the increase blood flow and secretions in the vagina and clitoris, some women become orgasmic or multi-orgasmic for the first time.

There is no way that you are going to harm the baby during intercourse, although this is a common fear. The baby is well surrounded by the amniotic sac and totally unaware of your actions. Unless you have been told by your practitioner that you should abstain from sex, it is a very healthy activity to engage in while pregnant.

Your Baby's Development

Your baby is about 7.6 inches long and weighs about 12.3 ounces. Your baby's muscles are developing and becoming stronger week by week. During week 22 of pregnancy, your baby will respond regularly to sound, rhythm, and melody. The sounds that your baby hears in your womb will soothe him or her after birth.

At this point in your pregnancy, your baby's brain and nerve endings are formed just enough so that the baby can feel touch. Other developments include the eyelids and eyebrows becoming well developed, the fingernails are completely formed, and taste buds have started to form on your baby’s tongue. Baby boys’ testes have begun to descend from the abdomen to the scrotum and baby girls uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed.

Your Pregnancy Week by Week