Week 22 of pregnancy is a good time to get informed about potential warning signs that something may not be right. Working with your doctor or midwife, you can address any concerns right away. Your baby isn't quite old enough to survive outside the womb if born prematurely, and it's just as important as ever to take good care of yourself and your little one.
Your Baby's Development
By the 22nd week of your pregnancy, your little one is measuring about 11 inches long from the top of his or her head to the bottom of his or her feet. In even bigger news, your baby now weighs about a pound.
For most women, the aches and pains of pregnancy are a minor annoyance. However, some symptoms demand immediate attention. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately:
- High fever or chills
- Muscular convulsions
- Loss of fluid from the vagina or vaginal bleeding
- Change in your baby's activity level
- Painful urination
- Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, dots in front of the eyes, white lights, or flashes
- A headache that won't go away
- Severe swelling in the face or fingers
- Severe abdominal pain
- Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
- Five or more contractions in one hour
If you need help downloading the pregnancy calendar, check out these helpful tips.
Looking Forward
If you have a question about unusual pregnancy symptoms during week 22 or at any point in your pregnancy, never hesitate to ask your healthcare provider. He or she needs to know about any symptoms that could indicate a possible pregnancy complication in order to protect the health of you and your baby.
