How your baby develops in week 22 of pregnancy
Your baby now has the structure of a newborn. However, it is still significantly smaller and lighter: your baby does not yet have a thick layer of fat. In week 22, your baby's fat content is only one percent. The skin is therefore still wrinkled – it is only in the coming weeks that your baby will slowly start to put on more fat and the skin will become taut.
Your baby's hair is now fully formed. Its body is surrounded by a delicate down, and the eyelashes, eyebrows, and head hair are already present. The fingernails are also continuing to grow and already cover the entire fingertips.
In two weeks, i.e., in week 24, your baby would have a chance of survival if born prematurely. It would require intensive medical care and would have a difficult start in life, but would likely be able to survive.
Size & weight in pregnancy week 22
In week 22, you are towards the end of the second trimester of your pregnancy. Over the past few months, your baby has developed into a little human: in the coming weeks, the focus for your baby will primarily be on weight gain and building up fat deposits.
Your baby is currently between 23 and 28 centimeters tall. Its weight is between 400 and 430 grams. You can imagine your baby's size as being like a papaya or a cob of sweetcorn.
There are still several weeks to go until the birth, and you can use this time to prepare everything for your baby's arrival. This includes the fact that your baby needs a cozy place to sleep. Are you already familiar with the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep? You place your baby in the hammock, where it lies snugly enveloped just like in the womb. It is then rocked to sleep with gentle movements and can enjoy restful sleep.
How your body changes in week 22
Your body changes every week of your pregnancy. Your baby bump is now clearly visible, and you might slowly be realizing that a little miracle is growing inside you. Don't be surprised if people often talk to you about your belly and your pregnancy now. Many people are curious and share in your joy.
One of the most beautiful changes in the sixth month of pregnancy is the fetal movements that you are now feeling. If your baby has hiccups, you will notice that too. It feels like rhythmic twitching in your belly. In a few weeks, your baby's movements will also be felt from the outside. This is a very special moment for expectant fathers and siblings.
You will also notice in your own body that your baby is gaining more and more weight. The scales will show more for you too, because your body is also building up fat reserves. This is completely normal and no cause for concern. Your doctor will check your weight gain at regular intervals and let you know if everything is okay.
You will observe another change in your breasts this week. They are slowly preparing to breastfeed your baby in a few months. The Montgomery glands are now becoming visible: after birth, they secrete a fatty substance that cares for your breasts during breastfeeding.
Symptoms in the 22nd week of your pregnancy
The second trimester is the most beautiful time of pregnancy for many expectant mothers. The discomforts of the first few months have vanished, and your belly is not yet so large that it restricts you. If you are currently blossoming and very happy, then you should enjoy this time. In a few months, the birth of your baby will turn your life upside down.
One symptom in week 22 can be tight breasts. Your mammary gland tissue now has a strong blood supply, which can make the vessels under your skin visible. You can prevent itching and feelings of tension with massages and nourishing oils.
Many women are also affected by food cravings in the 22nd week of pregnancy. If you are very hungry now and need a lot of energy, then follow this urge. During pregnancy, your body tells you exactly what it needs. Try to avoid sweets as much as possible and eat as balanced a diet as you can.
It is also possible that you will notice the first changes in your pelvic floor in week 22. Your pelvic floor muscles are already being stressed by the pregnancy. Urine may leak when coughing or laughing hard. Therefore, try to train your pelvic floor muscles. There are special exercises for pregnant women.
Many expectant mothers feel a strong nesting instinct in week 22 and want to prepare perfectly for the baby's arrival. If you are currently looking for a cozy place for your baby to sleep, then you should take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It combines modern technology with our over twenty years of experience in developing the best possible cradle for your baby.
Pregnant in week 22: What is important now
In week 22, your baby is already as big as a papaya and will grow significantly and gain weight in particular in the coming weeks. Therefore, the second trimester is a good window of time for many pregnant women to make important preparations.
We have summarized for you what needs to be considered in the 22nd week of pregnancy:
Ultrasound examination:
The second ultrasound examination of your pregnancy takes place between week 19 and week 22. Your doctor will check you and your baby thoroughly. He checks the development as well as your baby's weight gain. It is also possible that you will find out the sex of your baby at this appointment.
Administrative matters:
The birth of a baby involves many bureaucratic tasks. It is best to find out about parental allowance and child benefit now. The more preparations you make before the birth, the more stress-free the time after the birth will be for you.
Avoiding medication:
During your pregnancy, you should not take any medication without speaking to your doctor first. Even over-the-counter medications, such as magnesium or painkillers, should only be taken after consultation. They could have a negative impact on your baby's development and health.
Meet your midwife:
For many pregnant women, their midwife is an important point of contact. She can answer all your questions and thus also take away many fears. Try to meet your midwife regularly to build a relationship of trust with her.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: The secure nest for your baby
To ensure your baby feels completely comfortable, it needs a cozy place to sleep after birth. Your baby lay snugly enveloped in your belly: our automatic baby hammock is based on exactly this principle. You place your baby in the stable hammock, where it lies snugly enveloped – just like in your belly. This makes it feel particularly secure and helps it fall asleep more easily.
If you switch on the intelligent automatic baby hammock motor, your baby will be rocked to sleep with gentle up and down movements. Your baby also knows these movements from your belly. When you walked during pregnancy, it felt similar to your baby.
You can control the motor of the automatic baby hammock via your smartphone. Thanks to its modern sensors, it adapts the intensity of the movements to your baby. If it wakes up, the cradle can rock it back to sleep. At the same time, you receive push notifications via the app if your baby wakes up or moves unusually.
The automatic baby hammock thus has a decisive advantage: it helps your baby to fall asleep more easily. It can recover better and also sleep through for longer. Our automatic baby hammock has already convinced more than 170,000 parents. At the same time, it is also recommended by midwives and osteopaths.
So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our automatic baby hammock now and offer your baby a secure nest for restful sleep!
