How Your Baby Grows During the Twenty-Second Week
The crown-to-rump length of your baby is now well over 7 inches long and his weight has increased to more than 12 ounces!
Your son is developing definite cycles of wakefulness and active play, as well as times of quiet rest. In fact, many mothers are able to accurate predict when their baby will wake up during the night when they are first born. Don't worry if your baby isn't settling into a regular rhythm yet, it is likely that they will in the next few weeks.
What the Mother Feels During the Twenty-Second Week
This is the golden time of pregnancy for most women. During this second trimester you often are over the fatigue and feel more energetic, alert and full of life! Your morning sickness has probably ended as well. But you aren't so big yet that you feel cumbersome and unwieldy.
Your blood volume is increasing now and that, combined with the pregnancy hormones which soften the tissues of the body, can increase swelling and bleeding of your gums. You may need to switch to a soft -bristled toothbrush. This is also an excellent time to visit your dentist, if you haven't already done so.
With this increase of blood volume, the first signs of anemia may be beginning to show. It is a good idea to proactively monitor your diet to ensure your iron levels stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Resources:
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month by Dr. Sears
Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Lesley Regan
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
