Symptoms to experience in the 22nd week of your pregnancy.

A lot of changes will be happening for your baby which also means that your body will also be experiencing certain changes and will show the following symptoms.

• Leg Cramps: It is really quite painful and uncomfortable and you should start certain calf stretches before it becomes a problem. You can also have certain magnesium supplements so as to reduce such occurrences. However, make sure you talk to your doctor before having it.
• Stretch Marks: Stretch marks are quite common during this period, try and rub moisturizing lotion over your belly or ask your partner to give you a massage.
• Heartburn or Indigestion: Since you have an enhanced appetite during this period, you would try to gulp your meal all at once. Do not do this as this leads to indigestion. Try and have small meals and try to have healthy snacks as much as possible like veggies, nuts, and crackers.
• Constipation: Since your uterus is growing and this puts pressure on your bowels irregulating its movement. Keep drinking water and hydrating yourself so as to regularize bowel movements.
• Feeling of Dizziness: Since a number of things are functioning inside your body, you might feel dehydrated easily, which can induce faintness or dizziness, so make sure that you drink enough water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated.
• Braxton Hicks: This generally starts as early as 20 weeks and becomes more common as pregnancy progresses. These are contractions that are the result of the tightening of the muscles in the uterus. Though they are mild and irregular they can feel strong.

These are some common symptoms, apart from this you will also notice some other changes to your body.

22nd-week Ultrasound

When you are 22 weeks pregnant, you would expect your tummy to grow but not only the tummy your foot also grows too. This can happen due to edema which is also called pregnancy swelling. Also, another reason could be the pregnancy hormone relaxin which loosens the ligaments and joints so that the baby can fit through.

The ultrasound of this week will be giving you a clear view of your baby’s organs and different body parts as well.  The following checkups may be required this week.

• If you are scheduled for prenatal testing, it will typically consist of the following tests
• The maternal serum screening or quad screen blood test is performed between 15 weeks to 22 weeks.
• If needed the fetal echocardiogram will also take place during this week which generally takes place between 18 to 22 weeks.
• Upcoming Doctor Visits
• Your next prenatal visit will be around week 24.
• A screening test for gestational diabetes will be conducted between weeks 24 to 28.

Tips for the 22nd week of your pregnancy.

• Don’t listen to people’s opinions.

now that your belly will be increasing in size people will be showering their opinion on you, you will be hearing a lot of unnecessary opinions on your belly size and also how you have to take care of yourself. Do not listen to all of this. The only person whom you should be trusting at this point is your doctor. Follow every little instruction provided by your doctor only.

• Take care of your diet.

Now as your belly is increasing, which means your baby is also growing up you need to focus on your diet a lot. Make sure you are taking your prenatal, your calcium content is high in the diet. Also, ask your doctor to prescribe your multivitamins and other supplements because at this point you will be needing them. Drink enough water, juices and consume fruits as well. Your well-being is directly linked with the well-being of your child, so never stop taking care of yourself.

• prepare yourself for the delivery.

You will be going into labor soon so you need to prepare yourself for that. You can watch videos, talk to your doctor, or even ask mothers whom you know personally regarding how you can prepare yourself for a vaginal delivery.

To-Do List for This Week

• Do take your prenatal vitamins properly,
• Choose snacks and food properly so that it helps to fulfill your daily nutrients requirements.
• Since you would be having Braxton hicks starting from this week, try to understand the difference between practice and real contractions.
• Try to look into newborn care classes.