22 Weeks Pregnant - Trimester 2

BABY DEVELOPMENT

Your little one's heart is now big enough that you can hear heartbeats with a stethoscope placed on your stomach. Did you know that you won’t know the final colour of their eyes until 6-10 months after birth? Many babies appear to have blue eyes at birth, and as pigment is distributed within the eye, the colour will change into its ultimate hue. Their skin looks quite wrinkled and is still translucent and pinkish red in colour because of visible little blood vessels. It is covered with a greasy protective coating, the "vernix ", which is secreted by the sebaceous glands. Don’t worry, it will disappear!

At 22 weeks, your baby is around the size of a rockmelon and their heart is big enough that you can heart their heartbeats using a doctor's stethoscope.

YOUR BODY

Your bump is getting bigger. As your baby and everything surrounding them grows heavier, the more of a strain there will be on your back. It is important to sit and stand as straight as possible. You can practise this by trying to balance a book on your head. Try not to let your pelvis tip forward as you walk or stand. You can put a small cushion behind your back to support your upright posture if you are sitting for a long time.

NUTRITION

Don’t dismiss carbohydrates in your meals. Contrary to common belief, foods high in carbohydrates, are part of a healthy diet for women that are pregnant. They provide energy, essential for you and your growing baby. As with all of your diet, pay attention to quantities, as well as how you cook them. Make sure they aren’t accompanied by an excess of fats or buttery sauces. Carbohydrate foods include potatoes, bread, pasta, rice, quinoa and semolina, as well as legumes (beans, lentils) and most are available in a whole grain version, which is preferable.

TIPS

A lot of women wonder whether they are gaining enough weight, too much weight, or not enough while pregnant. Weight gain varies from one woman to the next and recommendations are based on if you began your pregnancy as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Your doctor can advise you on the healthiest path for you. As you know, weight gain during pregnancy can influence the weight of your baby at birth; remember that an extra-large baby is not healthier than a baby born of average weight.