My belly is definately growing now, though I really just feel a bit fatter than usual. Andrew often talks to the baby, giving it information on life needs such as how to do handbrake turns and explains how things work. He also often tells it to kick me, particularly if he wants it’s input in a vote….”if you want mummy to buy daddy a remote control helicopter, kick your mummy”. Baby movements are also much easier to feel…they are definately getting stronger!
I feel like we’re really organised as far as baby gear goes. I thought we’d be buying all the bits and pieces much later in the pregnancy, but we have a cot and pram on layby (so we don’t have to store it just yet) purchased during a sale, a change table that we bought on Ebay that we have to pick up next weekend, a friend is giving us a bassinet and some small baby clothes, another friend is loaning us their baby bath…so I think we have most things covered already. Now it’s just a matter of converting the study to a baby’s room, which is proving more difficult than we thought it would.
Info from Birth.com.au
You are now 22 weeks pregnant and at the beginning of week 23. Your baby is around 26 cm long from head to toe and weighs about 550 grams. Your baby’s nervous system is now completely ‘connected’. The vital link between their brain and spinal cord (the brain stem) has matured and many nerve cells make vigorous connections. Now your baby is capable of recognising warmth, light, sound and pain. While primitive brain waves have been detected in unborn babies as early as 7 weeks, it is not until 22 weeks that sustained patterns can be definitely recorded. Some women will now notice that their baby jumps with a loud sound.
Unborn babies at this stage typically like to lie in a transverse position (or crossways inside your belly), with their feet and bottom on one side, and their head on the other side. Your baby’s placenta is now processing about 1 litre of blood per hour and by 40 weeks this increases to about 12 litres per hour.
Physical changes, swelling. About 65% of healthy pregnant women develop fluid retention or swelling (called oedema), even though their blood pressure is normal. This may be noticed any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can happen in the legs, feet and hands. Normal pregnancy swelling is generally more noticeable at the end of the day, although it may be worse on hot days, after a plane trip or if you are on your feet for long periods of time. NOTE: If you notice sudden swelling, you should have your blood pressure checked by your caregiver or local doctor to make sure it is NOT related to high blood pressure.
Emotional reactions. Most women are feeling quite comfortable with their pregnancy by this stage, both physically and emotionally. Thoughts may now turn towards giving birth to your baby and making preparations for this and after the birth. Partners may also feel the pregnancy is becoming more tangible as they watch the woman’s belly grow and hopefully soon will be able to feel their baby move as well!
