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Pregnancy Week 22 – a Personality with Fingerprints

Pregnancy Week 22

Pregnancy week 22 means that the embryo has now progressed well into the foetal period, which usually starts at end of the 10th week of gestation. The precursors of all major organs have already been created some time back and these are developing into full fledged organs by the pregnancy week 22. At this point of time the foetus is not as susceptible to damage from exposure to environmental hazards as was the embryo, however there can still be physiological or congenital abnormalities due to exposure to various toxins. The gestational age at pregnancy week 22 is 21 weeks while the embryonic (or rather the foetal) age is 19 weeks. The eye, ear, nose, liver, pancreas, kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, spinal chord, arms and legs have all taken distinct shape by this time while the digestive, urinary, reproductive, circulatory and other systems also start becoming functional. Unique features start to develop, such as the retinal striations and fingerprints.

All this activity during pregnancy week 22 requires a healthy diet for the mother – rich in protein, carbohydrates and supplemented by vitamins and minerals like calcium. The additional 300 to 500 calories that needs to be ingested specially for the growing foetus during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters should come from all the 4 food groups. Medicines should be avoided as far as possible because whatever the mother ingests will reach the foetus sooner and later and some components can be harmful to a still forming human being. Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, processed food, raw meat, any food item that may be contaminated with mercury, disinfectant, unauthorised preservatives, viruses, bacteria are all to be strictly avoided right through pregnancy. Meals should ideally be small in quantity but more in number – between 5 and 6 in a day.

At pregnancy week 22 a woman would no longer fit into normal clothes and maternity clothes that are stretchable and breathable become necessary. These clothes must provide support to sensitive areas, especially around the breasts, chest and abdomen.

Low back pain is frequently associated with the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, due to changing posture, the body’s centre of gravity and the rapidly enlarging uterus. For this reason pillows, cushions, bolsters and maternity belts become very necessary to relieve the pain and doctors advise sitting up straight as well as lying down on the side as the correct postures to adopt.

Another concern pregnant women have during pregnancy week 22 is stretch marks and acne. While both are temporary and the latter usually disappears by the 3rd trimester, stretch marks lighten after delivery, but often remain as a reminder of the special experience called pregnancy. Mothers are also said to ‘glow’ during and after pregnancy week 22 – caused by the increase in blood flow all over the body, but especially to the face and neck, resulting in a flushed and fuller visage. Some women who have gone through acne when in their teens are prone to develop the same during pregnancy and these appear across the face, arms and back – caused by increased hormonal activity.

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