22 Weeks Pregnant - what to expect
Now you're 22 weeks pregnant, this week is all about stretch mark creams, prams, car seats and pregnancy heartburn...
Watch our video to see what your baby looks like this week
Your baby’s body proportions have evened out into a look that’s like a newborn – only skinnier. He or she may also have sprouted some head hair – although right now, it’ll be pigment-free, old-person white.
And here's a 3D scan of a 22 week baby...
So what's happening to your body this week?
Brace yourself: it’s time to talk stretch marks. If you haven’t already got your very own little sprinkling over belly, breasts, buttocks and thighs, we’re afraid it’s probably on its way – because, like it or not (and, actually, what is to like?), 9 out of 10 of us get them.
On the upside <bright-and-breezy smile> they’ll all fade in the months after the birth. How many stretch marks you end up with mainly depends on your genes, and how rapidly you’ve gained your pregnancy weight.
But word is, you can stack the odds more in your favour with some dedicated moisturising and exfoliating action. All hands to the loofah – and good luck!
Our MFMer's 22-week bump of the week
Has your bump got noticeably bigger this week? Check out other MFMers' belfies in our 22 week bump gallery.
Did you know? Your baby's now the length of... a knickerbocker glory
This week, your baby measures 27.8cm from head to heel - the same length as this towering dessert.
And is around the weight of... a jar of coffee
Your baby now weighs around 13.75oz (390g)!
4 things you might need to know this week
- 10 clever ways to choose an unusual baby name
- Pram + car seat: A buyer's guide to travel systems
- Thinking about a 3D or 4D scan?
- Is is safe to take Gaviscon for pregnancy heartburn?
MFMer's tip of the week from our forum
“I've been thinking about newborn essentials. I'm going make a request that people only buy clothes for 3 months and over, I think. Otherwise, I will have a million tiny outfits that the baby will outgrow so fast” - AussieDea
Want to share your pregnancy with others going through the same as you? There's a birth club for your due date - take a look...
Got a buggy yet? Here's how to choose
What a mind boggle! Did you know you could spend under £100 or over £1,000 on one of the hundreds of pushchair models on sale? Plus there's a whole bictionary (buggy dictionary) of terms you're going to come up against.
So, here's a quick starter for ten. Pushchairs and buggies mean the same thing, just different words. Travel systems are buggies with an attachable baby car seat. Prams are buggies with a lie-flat carrycot. Strollers are what they call buggies in America, while we use strollers to mean lightweights – a bit like pants and trousers.
All clear? Now that's where we can help...
Our preg recipe for week 22 - Quick cheese and onion rarebit
Why eating cheese is great for your growing baby (despite what you might think)
Cheese can get a bit of a bad rap in pregnancy because it’s easy to get confused by the rules about avoiding the unpasteurised and mould-ripened sorts, and stop eating it altogether.
But that would be a shame, as cheese is an excellent source of calcium (which your body needs to grow your baby’s teeth and bones) – and pretty much every type of cheese is fine to eat in pregnancy, once it’s cooked.
See the full recipe and get cooking...
Baby namer - what do you think of these Spanish names?
Sebastian
Under the sea, under the sea… we can't help but think of that little red crab in The Little Mermaid. But Sebastian is a rather grand ame that means revered in Latin.
Celeb baby-name-check: fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's 5th child is named Sebastian.
Lola
From the Spanish name Dolores meaning sorrows, there's nothing sad about this short and sweet name. Mentioned in countless songs, Lola found fame in The Kinks' song of the same name... L-O-L-A Lola.
Celeb baby-name-check: Annie Lennox named her first daughter Lola.
Check out our dedicated Baby Names section for more inspiration.
So that's plenty for this week, want to take a peek at what lies ahead - or look back at last week?
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