22 Weeks

My bump has migrated north and filled out quite a bit since last week. Our little man is a keen kickboxer, constantly reassuring me that all is okay in the little home he's made in my belly.

How far along: 22 weeks
How big is baby: Size of an eggplant (28cm from head to toe)
Total weight gain/loss:  Still down 2kg from my pre-pregnancy weight
Stretch marks: None (moisturizing my belly, hips and tatas every night before bed)
Maternity clothes: None but I have a wardrobe full of them
Wedding rings on/off: On
Sleep: 4-6 hours a night
Food cravings or aversions:  Enjoyed eating a Cadbury Easter bunny (or 2)
Gender: BOY!
Movement: Lots! I read he's awake for 6 hours a day but I swear it feels more like 16!
Belly button: Innie but slowly making its way to the surface
Exercise:  Yeah about that...  I know, I'm a slacker!
Diet: Eating more salads, fruit and vegetables
What I'm loving:  Feeling bub kick when he hears Pepper (our pug) bark. So funny!
What I'm not loving:  Back pain that extends down both legs
What I miss: Getting a decent night's sleep
Sickness and symptoms:  Round ligament stretching and tightening as bub grows
Notes: We finally picked a name!!! I'd love to share but if I told you, I'd have to kill you. James and I have told everyone everything up until now, so we just want to keep it to ourselves. It's our little secret until bub is born.

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 22

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Fetal size: 20cm (crown to rump)
28cm total length
Fetal weight: 450g (1 pound)

Your baby is getting bigger as each day passes. Eyelids and eyebrows and fingernails are developed. Organs are developing to perform their particular functions.

Your baby starts to build an immune system to act as a natural defence against infection. In addition, he/she will begin to produce and store fatty tissue to produce body heat and keep warm. This fatty layer (called brown fat) starts to build up on different parts of the body, and continues to do so until your baby is born. The skin is growing and is protected from the amniotic fluid by a waxy layer (called Vernix). Until your baby develops more fat under the skin, it will remain red and wrinkly. The body is still covered with a fine layer of hair. Baby teeth have been formed and are waiting in the gums. Your baby can now taste and can tell the difference between sweet and bitter.

Your baby starts to move more, becoming more coordinated as muscles develop and strength increases. He/she can now turn and stretch. These movements will build muscle, strengthen bones and improve motor skills, but they may also make your abdomen sore! Your baby will also respond to outside pressure on your abdomen and may move as a result of this. Your baby's heartbeat can be heard using a stethoscope.