Your baby

Your baby's brain is growing every day. The senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch are also developing rapidly. At this stage, your baby can suck, swallow, and hear various sounds. These include the rhythmic cadence of heartbeats, the gentle flow of breathing, and the intricate symphony of your digestion. These sounds act as natural lullabies to your baby, which could explain why newborns often find comfort lying on your chest after birth. Discover more about what your baby hears here.

Your body

Around the 22nd week, many expectant mothers start feeling great about their bodies, skin, and sexuality. With morning sickness a distant memory and a cute baby bump starting to show, you may notice a boost in your self-confidence. Additionally, hormonal changes can ignite a newfound sense of heat in the bedroom. If you’re feeling more interested in sex, that's normal and perfectly safe as long as your pregnancy is free of complications.

At the prenatal visit

Your uterus continues to expand, and you might observe some consistent weight gain. The extra weight around your front can start affecting your lower back. To mitigate any discomfort, consider switching from high heels to low-heeled shoes. Opting for supportive shoes can make a significant difference. Straight flat shoes can also strain your back, so low heels are your best bet.

As long as your weight gain is steady, your blood pressure remains stable, and you don’t experience unexpected aches and pains, the 22nd week generally comes with no additional medical concerns. However, if you’re carrying multiples, be mindful that your healthcare provider might recommend bed rest soon, as the uterus might not distinguish between multiple pregnancies and may start labor early due to the increased weight.

Your partner

The third trimester is just around the corner, and many couples find themselves in what’s famously known as the “name battle.” For some, choosing a baby name is a breeze because they’ve been planning it for a while. For others, it can be a point of contention. To simplify the process, create individual lists of names you both love. Exchange lists and cross off any names you strongly dislike. This method helps you both arrive at a viable shortlist for both boy and girl names. Even if an ultrasound has revealed the baby's sex, it's wise to have names ready for both genders.

Tips for this week

If you’re expecting multiples, you’ll experience unique changes throughout your pregnancy. Around the 22nd week, it’s common to experience leg cramps. Your two babies need more calcium than a single baby would, so increasing your calcium intake is essential. This can help alleviate cramps, particularly those that occur at night.