What is going on with your baby during week 22?

Changes in you at this stage Week 22

• Though your uterus is growing you are still comfortable with bending over, sitting and driving at this stage
• You may have increased vaginal discharge (thin, white discharge with no odor) which may sometimes develop into yeast infections; douching during pregnancy is not advisable
• To accommodate your increasing lung capacity, your rib cage is growing larger as well and by the time baby is born your rib cage will have expanded by 2-3 inches. It will return to its pre-pregnancy size after baby is born.
• Your lower spine continues to curve backward to help prevent you from falling forward because of the weight of the growing baby.
• This period on, fears about the process of giving birth will occupy your thoughts.

Good to Know in Week 22

Miscellany

• At full term your baby can swallow as much as 500 ml of amniotic fluid in a 24 hour period.
• Theoretically some scientists argue that male pregnancy is possible. As of now the only known male animal species to give birth are sea horses, pipe fishes and sea dragons.
• Striae gravidarum are the stretch marks that all pregnant women dread. About 50% of all pregnant women get them. The only thing that can absolutely prevent them are genetics!
• Though baby's eyes are developed his iris still has no color.

Wholesome Advice in Week 22

• A full body pillow is one of the great inventions for pregnancy. Many maternity stores carry them or your other option is to shop online.
• Treat yourself to a maternity massage. It's good for the body and mind. Avoid lying on your back. A therapist qualified in pregnancy massage is important - check beforehand.
• Products like cocoa butter, mango butter and olive oil won't prevent stretch marks but they smell nice and they provide relief against the itches. Good old lotion will help the itching just as well. Use a lot of it.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage

Overheated

During pregnancy your metabolism or the rate at which your body expends energy speeds up. You are also perspiring more due to needing to lose all the heat your baby is making. This can make your feel rather warm even in cooler temperatures. It is very important to stay cool while you are pregnant.

• Drink plenty of water and fluids. In fact carry a water bottle with you.
• Dress lightly in breathable fabrics like cotton
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible
• Stay in an air-conditioned environment if the heat gets too much
• Go for a swim or take cool baths or showers
• Avoid exercising in warmest part of the day. Take a walk when the sun is down i.e. early morning or evening or go to the fitness center for the workout.

Yeast Infections

Increased estrogen levels during pregnancy cause changes in the vaginal environment which throws off the natural balance and makes room for some organism to multiply faster than others. Candida may be present without symptoms or may cause an infection. Signs of vaginal infection include thick, white and curd-like discharge; itching, redness around the vagina area and burning sensation when urinating. Though unpleasant for you it will not harm your baby and it is treatable during pregnancy. Help prevent with these measures:

• Eat plenty of yoghurt that contains live Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures. It helps maintain the right mix of bacteria in your system
• Wear underwear with cotton crotches and loose fitting pants that do not cut into your crotch area
• Avoid sugar laden foods as these encourage bacterial growth
• Avoid long hot baths which create the perfect environment for yeast to flourish. Opt for showers instead.
• Avoid wearing wet bathing suits and exercise gear for long periods of time; wash them after each use
• Do not self treat with OTC remedies. Consult your doctor.

Common Concerns in in Week 22

Is a small breast lump of concern in the 5th month of pregnancy?

Since the breasts are collections of glands that make milk, it is not unusual for a milk duct to get engorged - this happens frequently. It is possible that a breast lesion becomes more prominent and obvious during pregnancy. Since it is difficult to draw a line between what is suspicious and unsuspicious the following will help you decide on what is unsuspicious:

• Freely movable (cancerous cells tend to stick in the surrounding tissue)
• Painful, which usually means inflammation, not tumor. It is possible to get mastitis before actual breastfeeding begins.
• Size - cysts related to milk production change size with hormonal fluctuations. Bad cysts will stay the same or grow bigger.
• Very round (malignant growths are irregularly shaped)
• Small size (less than 1 cm)
• Breast lumps are fairly common during pregnancy. Mammogram, if necessary is safe especially if an abdominal shield is used, and any procedure following that is best left at your obstetrician's discretion.

There is some fluid coming from my breasts staining my clothes. I am only half-way through my pregnancy - is this breast milk?

• This isn't breast milk. During the second trimester a thin, yellow fluid called colostrum forms, which is the precursor to breast milk. Sometimes it will leak from the breasts and this is normal. It is usually best to leave your breasts alone; don't try to squeeze the fluid out. Wear breast pads if necessary.

Weekly Nutrition advice in Week 22

• Fluids, especially water is very, very important during pregnancy - its importance cannot be emphasized enough.
• We tend to forget or ignore our thirst but the fact remains that fluids help your body process nutrients, develop new cells, keep up blood volume and regulate body temperature.
• Studies indicate that for every 15 calories your body burns you need 1 tablespoon of water; for 2000 calories you will need about 2 quarts of water.
• Since your caloric needs increase during this time so will your need for water.
• Six to eight glasses per day is good and this excludes beverages. Milk, vegetable juice, fruit juice and herbal teas are choices you can take beside water. Do not count tea, coffee or cola as fluids - in fact avoid them.
• The sodium and caffeine in beverages function as diuretics.
• Common problems like headaches, constipation, bladder infections and uterine cramping become less of a problem if you are good in your fluid intake.
• Your urine is a good barometer to check on your intake. If it is light yellow to clear, you are doing fine; dark yellow on the other hand suggests that you have to up your intake.
• Don't wait till you get thirsty to drink something; by that time you would have already lost 1% of your body's fluids. A good tip is to sip on fluids - water and juices - throughout the day and not only when you are thirsty