Pregnancy Week 22 and 23

During weeks 22 and 23, women are in the mid of their 5^th month of pregnancy. They would have already started feeling a range of new symptoms as the uterus expands and the fetus begins to move. One of the new symptoms many women start to feel around this time are the false labour contractions or the Braxton-Hicks contractions.

What happens during week 22 of pregnancy?

The pregnancy week 22 size of the fetus is about 19cm long and weighs close to 460g. Some of their organs, such as the eyes and ears,s have now fully formed, and they can hear sounds from outside the womb. They become increasingly active as the weeks pass and often turn around in the uterus, changing positions throughout the day. The kicks and the movements are also stronger as their muscles grow strong and they gain more control over their limbs.

The increased size of the uterus will bring new pregnancy second-trimester discomforts such as bloating, heartburns, gas, bleeding gums, varicose veins and stretch marks on various parts of the body. Since constipation is frequently observed in pregnant women around this time because of the uterus applying pressure on the digestive system, haemorrhoids is also a condition some women experience. It is advisable to have a diet with plenty of fibre to avoid constipation.

Around the fifth month, some women experience braxton hicks contractions or false labour contractions. The uterus contracts and relaxes in an untimely manner during the last few months of pregnancy as a preparatory phase for actual labour. The Braxton hicks contractions are different from labour pains and often go away when the sitting of sleeping position is changed. These contractions are also irregular and do not get stronger or occur closely together. However, if it does become regular, painful and stronger, it could be a sign of premature labour. It is essential to talk about distinguishing false contractions from true labour pain with the doctor or midwife around this time.

What happens during week 23 of pregnancy? 

By the 23^rd week of pregnancy, the fetus continues to develop and is about 20cm long and weighs close to 540g. Along with the hair on the head, the whole body is covered with lanugo which can be seen in an ultrasound scan. The fetus practices breathing in the uterus, although its oxygen supply comes from the placenta. The lungs are filled with a surfactant that will become helpful to keep them inflated after birth. The brain and nervous system continue to develop rapidly, along with an improvement in vision and hearing.

Women may start to experience more discomfort and effects such as incontinence when sneezing or laughing as the bladder is already under pressure from the uterus. It is often temporary until women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles by exercising the muscle group every day. Some women may also feel warmer than usual or stretching pain in the abdomen. These are normal symptoms related to the changes the body undergoes during the second trimester.

Wrapping up

The mid of the 5^th month of pregnancy brings with it some new discomforts as the body continues to change to accommodate the growing fetus. It is normal to experience false labour contractions such as Braxton hicks and other symptoms such as incontinence and pain from the stretched ligaments in the abdomen.