Week by week pregnancy guide: 22 weeks pregnant

You're now 22 weeks pregnant but what should you expect? Read week 22 of our week by week pregnancy guide to find out everything you need to know...Looking for a pregnancy week by week guide? You're in the right place, and here we get into the details of being 22 weeks pregnant..

During this stage you'll probably be showing quite a bit and have told your friends and relatives so it's only natural that you'll want to know everything about your stage of pregnancy. That's why we've put together this handy guide...

Symptoms at 22 weeks pregnant

You've gained around 12-15lbs, but may feel sexier than ever. A third of women say they feel more sensual during months four to seven and have more powerful orgasms. Equally it's perfectly normal to go off sex during pregnancy. Don't worry, your sex drive will return.

Backache can be a problem for some mums-to-be and it's no great mystery why. Not only has your centre of gravity changed, but the ligaments in your body have become softer and stretchier in order to limber up for labour. This can put a strain on the joints of your lower back and pelvis. Some women find a maternity support belt helpful.

Fetal development at 22 weeks pregnant

Your baby is roughly 27.8cm and weighs 430grams. They have fat to keep them warm and their brain is growing rapidly. Their eyes, eyelids and eyebrows are now fully developed. Their vocal cords are beginning to function, as are their reflexes meaning they can hiccup, grasp things and even startle at loud noises outside the womb. If your baby is a girl then her uterus will have formed by now. If it's a boy then his testes will begin to descend and he'll start producing testosterone.

The changes you should make at 22 weeks pregnant

Some women will have an amniocentesis this week.

If you are expecting twins that share a placenta then you will have another growth scan and antenatal appointment this week.

Are you getting all the benefits you're entitled to? You may be eligible for help towards travel costs to hospital for antenatal care (including petrol or taxi fare) and a Sure Start Maternity Grant for £500. Go to direct.gov.uk for more information.

Feeling a bit absent-minded and muddle-headed? Well it does seem that pregnancy can leave you quite literally lost for words. In one study carried out at the University of California, it was found that pregnant women started to perform less well in verbal memory tests after 29 weeks of pregnancy.