Your baby is almost eleven inches long from the head to the feet and weighs about fifteen ounces at 22 weeks pregnant. The baby’s internal organs are developing and maturing; that is the reproductive system as well as the intestines. The digestive system is able to mature with the help of the amniotic fluid that the baby swallows, which is digested and later on excreted through the kidneys.
Fats are continuing to deposit beneath the baby’s skin at 22 weeks pregnant. These fats are important to help keep the baby warm and also aid in the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. The nerve cells are covered with layers of fat that insulate it from surrounding nerves. The fat layers also help in making the skin of the baby look less transparent as the pregnancy continues.
At 22 weeks pregnant, the baby’s facial features are formed although the nose is still like a tiny little button because it has not yet completely formed the nasal bridge. Another great development for the baby at 22 weeks pregnant is that all the baby’s bones have the bone marrow so that they can now produce red blood cells. The baby’s skin is also developing ridges which are going to mature and develop toe and finger prints.
At 22 weeks pregnant, the baby has enough room inside your womb to move around any way it wants. If you could see inside your belly at this time, the baby might be making all kinds of somersaults and flipping around in the amniotic fluid. It can grab the umbilical cord, touch its own face and make constant movements with the hands.
The mother at 22 weeks pregnant has probably expanded so much you are even surprised that you can grow that big. You have gained up to seven kilos or even more but still have to gain a couple more before your due date. Your uterus at 22 weeks pregnant has grown at least two centimeters above your belly button but your belly is not yet big enough to hinder your movements.
This is also the time when people will start getting curious and want to touch your belly. People will want to know how far you are how in the pregnancy and what it feels like. Another very interesting symptom you are going to experience at 22 weeks pregnant is forgetfulness, also called pregnancy brain. You may find that you tend to forget things and cannot keep track of even important things. Your ability to concentrate is very small and you tend to get distracted easily.
The reason for this is not quite known but it is likely that it is because you are going through a major change in your life and the hormone changes that are taking place in your body. Another reason could be that you are paying too much attention to your body and the pregnancy that you tend to lose track of what is going on around you. This usually goes away after giving birth when your attention is diverted from your pregnancy.
