[trustindex no-registration=google]
You are now 22 weeks pregnant and in the middle of the 6th month of your pregnancy. In this part of our pregnancy calendar, we will look at why your belly twitches rhythmically from time to time. You will also find out how you can alleviate varicose veins, calf cramps and other pregnancy complaints.
Do you like eating mangoes? Your baby is about the same size as the tropical fruit this week, namely around 26.5 centimetres from head to heel. It already weighs an impressive 430 grams. Please note that these figures are only average values. If your baby is a little above or below this, this is absolutely normal. After all, babies develop at different speeds. This is already clearly noticeable in the 22nd week of pregnancy.
Wow, what's suddenly twitching in your belly? Many pregnant women are surprised by this rhythmic feeling. These jerky movements are caused by your baby having hiccups. The twitching can last a few minutes and is nothing to worry about. On the contrary - it is thought that hiccups play an important role in your baby's development during pregnancy.
We adults are also sometimes affected by hiccups, but they are much more common in babies. It can occur from around the 9th week of pregnancy and in the last third of pregnancy, babies spend around 15 minutes a day hiccuping (3).
Hiccups are caused by contractions of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm. When inhaling, the muscles twitch briefly, causing air to flow quickly into the body. As the glottis in the larynx closes at the same time, the airflow bounces against it. This produces the characteristic Hicks sound. (4)
The fact that a foetus suffers from hiccups in the womb is completely natural and even important for the development of your baby's breathing muscles. After swallowing amniotic fluid, these rhythmic contractions often occur, which your little one uses to train for breathing later on.
In a study with newborn babies, scientists have discovered that certain areas in the brain that monitor breathing are active during hiccups. Your baby learns to consciously control its breathing muscles through the movements of the diaphragm. For this reason, newborns and especially premature babies hiccup very frequently. The frequency then decreases over time.
So young and already white hair? "Still" should be the correct word. Because in the beginning, eyelashes, eyebrows and scalp hair have no pigments, which is why they are snow-white. They only change colour as the pregnancy progresses due to the pigment melanin.
Blonde, brown, black or red - it is impossible to predict with certainty what colour your baby's hair will be. The colour is genetically determined. Every person carries two hereditary traits, one of which is passed on to the baby at conception. Dark hair colours are considered dominant over light hair colours. However, as the genetic basis for the development of hair colour is very complex, two parents with dark hair can also have a blonde baby. In addition, hair colour can change several times in the course of a child's life. So it remains exciting to see what colour of hair your little one will surprise you with one day.
Your little lodger is now becoming more and more active. He is doing somersaults and his movements are so strong that you may already be able to feel them from the outside if you put your hand on his tummy. However, it is also quite possible that it will take a few more weeks before the baby's movements can be felt above the abdominal wall. Mums-to-be can feel their baby best when they lie down quietly. One reason for this is that you can feel your baby better when you are not moving yourself. In addition, your baby has more room to move when you are resting and your abdominal wall is therefore softer. On the other hand, your movements gently rock your little one to sleep. On the other hand, it becomes active exactly when you yourself come to rest.
In this week of pregnancy, the upper edge of your uterus sits about two fingers below your belly button and your tummy becomes more and more visible to outsiders.
You will realise that a round baby bump has a magical attraction and suddenly strangers are congratulating you on your pregnancy. Some women like this special attention, others feel pressurised. Especially when strangers suddenly put their hands on your belly without being asked, many pregnant women feel that a boundary has been crossed. The following applies: You alone decide who is allowed to touch your belly. It is perfectly okay to refuse to let others do so. It's not just other people's hands that can be distressing, but also the many well-intentioned tips from the people around you. This can be helpful, or it can feel invasive to you. It is good and right for you to be clear and set boundaries in this area too. This is especially true for attention-grabbing horror stories about other pregnancies. You can remain hopeful. If tips and stories rob you of your inner peace, then you can communicate this clearly.
Have you looked at your breasts in the mirror recently? You may have noticed small bumps around the areola. These are the Montgomery glands. They secrete an oily secretion that cares for your nipples like a cream and prepares your breasts for breastfeeding. The glands also fulfil another function: they exude a scent that attracts babies to the breast after birth and encourages them to suckle.
Calf cramps
Many women suffer from calf cramps during pregnancy, especially at night. The reasons for this can vary. It is assumed that altered metabolic processes play a role. Too much or too little exercise can also be a possible trigger for the painful cramps in the legs. There is often a magnesium deficiency. During pregnancy, your need for this mineral, which is important for muscle contraction, increases. Try to eat as many magnesium-rich foods as possible. These include wholemeal products, bananas, pulses, almonds and nuts. A potassium deficiency also often leads to calf cramps. In this case, fill your diet with plenty of green vegetables, dairy products, sesame seeds and dried fruit such as dates and sultanas.
If necessary, you can also take magnesium and potassium supplements. It is best to consult your midwife or doctor about this. Stretching exercises, light exercise and massages are also advisable. These measures also help as a preventative measure. For example, a massage with essential oils such as lavender, yarrow, cypress and myrtle is very relaxing for the muscles.
Have you noticed an increase in small bluish veins on your legs recently? Then you're like many pregnant women. Spider veins and varicose veins occur in around 4 out of 10 pregnant women. Fortunately, in many cases they disappear again in the first few months after giving birth.
How do these unsightly side effects develop? Varicose veins during pregnancy have various causes. The increased blood volume leads to an increased strain on the blood vessels. At the same time, the weight of the baby puts increasing pressure on the leg veins. The blood cannot drain away as easily and accumulates in the superficial veins - varicose veins and spider veins are the result.
They often cause no discomfort, but sometimes there is a feeling of heaviness, calf cramps and itching. What can you do? Get enough exercise, stimulate your circulation by taking alternating showers and put your legs up more often. Compression stockings can also alleviate the symptoms.
Another unpopular issue that afflicts many women during pregnancy and after childbirth: Haemorrhoids. Everyone has these vascular cushions at the exit of the bowel. However, they can cause discomfort if the haemorrhoids are abnormally enlarged. This then leads to itching, oozing, bleeding and pressure pain in the anal area.
The increased blood volume in the pelvis also plays an important role here, as this increases the pressure on the veins in the rectum. At the same time, the hormone progesterone during pregnancy causes the vessels to dilate. If there is then excessive pushing - whether due to constipation or during childbirth - pathological haemorrhoids are a common consequence.
This way you can alleviate the discomfort:
- Ensure soft stools by eating a diet rich in fibre.
- Clean the anal area carefully with water after a bowel movement and avoid moist toilet paper and intimate lotions.
- Ointments with witch hazel extract help to relieve pain and swelling.
- Sitz baths with oak bark have a similar effect.
Talk to your midwife, she is sure to have some good tips for you. Don't be embarrassed, around seven out of ten women have similar complaints during pregnancy.
The 2nd large Ultrasound examination can take place as part of your prenatal care in this 22nd week of pregnancy. You can choose between a basic ultrasound scan and an extended ultrasound scan with organ screening. This examination is also voluntary for you. It is offered because the baby is easy to visualise in this week of pregnancy and many diseases and malformations can be made visible. Special attention is also paid to diseases for which there are medical treatment options. These include congenital heart defects, for example. You will certainly be amazed at how big your baby has grown since the last ultrasound scan. Its delicate bones are clearly visible and you will certainly melt away at the sight of the almost four-centimetre-long baby feet.
The third trimester is inexorably approaching and with it the birth of your baby. Have you already thought about the Online birth preparation course bought? That's important now. Because the birth preparation course prepares you and your partner perfectly for the unique moment of your baby's birth. Not only will you learn breathing techniques and birthing positions, but you will also acquire a wealth of knowledge. This will help you to feel more secure and confident in your body. The online birth preparation course gives you the opportunity to learn the necessary knowledge in peace and quiet. You and your partner can repeat the individual lessons as often as you need to so that you don't forget anything before the birth.
A birth is something special and exciting. It is therefore important that you have enough time to learn and repeat the necessary knowledge.
Other online offers that will answer many of your questions during this stage of pregnancy are our workshops "2nd trimester" and "3rd trimester". In addition, the workshop "Birth plan" is recommended, as it will help you make the best decisions for your baby's arrival. You will also find a lively exchange with other mums-to-be in our community on Facebook.
Copyright 2024 NotdienstHebamme // Website by AAD
