Your pregnancy - week 22
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Welcome to week 22
You're just past the halfway mark now, and this is the stage when many expectant mums start to feel a bit uncomfortable. You might find your bump is getting in the way of a comfy night's sleep - in which case a special support pillow might help.
Suffering from sweats? This is a normal reaction to your thyroid gland working harder – wear natural fibres and try keeping a cooling water spray in your handbag.
You might find your ankles swelling, making walking less comfortable. Keep an eye on this, as excessive swelling, especially if it's also in your fingers and face, can be an indicator of pre-eclampsia, which needs prompt treatment. To ease mild swelling, resting with your feet higher than your hips will help.
Inside story
Your baby has gained another 50g (2oz) this week, weighing in at around 350g, and crown-rump length is now about 19cm (7.5in), which is about the length of a DVD case.
Eyelids and eyebrows have developed now and your baby looks like a perfect miniature version of the little person you'll give birth to! The lungs are producing 'surfactant' – a complex substance that helps keep the lungs from collapsing during exhalation.
On the outside
Stretch marks: whether they develop – and how pronounced they are – is largely down to genetics, so don't go blaming yourself for excess weight gain or not moisturising enough if they happen to you. There are many available creams and treatments that claim to eliminate stretch marks, but don't waste your money.
Moisturising will help ease itching, but the truth is that once you have stretch marks you've got them for forever. However, they do fade after the birth to silvery streaks.
Think of them as part of life's mapping, like laughter lines: they're proof of your womanliness and your prowess in carrying your baby.
Things to think about
It's time to take stock of your maternity wear again: do you have clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good? Is your underwear fitting you properly? Is it time for a new bra?
Things to look out for include:
• wide bra straps and a deep hook panel
• knickers that either encompass your whole bump or sit just underneath (if they sit around your navel they'll either cut in or slide down all the time)
• pretty underwear in maternity styles: you don't have to be a frump with a bump
• loose waistbands or empire-line tops and dresses that pull in just under the bust
• a good pair of maternity jeans
• low-heeled shoes, preferably wedges to support your weight evenly
• something comfy to wear in bed, including a soft night-support bra.
Your pregnancy
Your unborn baby week by week
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Week two
Ovulation usually happens around the end of week two or at the start of week three, and then... conception! Sperm meets egg and a zygote is formed. It heads off towards the uterus down the fallopian tube.
Source: Getty -
Week three
The cells multiply on the journey. Once they settle into the wall of the uterus the embyonic stage has begun. The embryo is still very tiny. It would fit on a pin head! The placenta now starts to grow.
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Week four
Amazingly, the body's main organs have already started to grow. The heart is forming into chambers and beginning to beat, although it doesn't have a regular rhythm yet. If you could have a peek inside your womb, you'd maybe be able to spot the embryo; it is a few milimetres long.
Source: Getty -
Week five
A number of blood vessels have formed and the nervous system and brain start to develop around this time too. The embryo doesn't look anything like a baby so far, it resembles a tadpole with a big head instead!
Source: Getty -
Week six
By the end of week six the embryo should be a bit bigger than a grain of rice. Tiny lumps originate where the arms and legs will appear. The face starts to develop its shape with bumps, dents and holes where different features will eventually be.
Source: Getty -
Week seven
It's still busy in there! The beginnings of teeth appear and fingers and toes start to develop. Those fingers and toes will be webbed for a few weeks. Movement can often be seen on an ultrasound by the end of week seven.
Source: Rex -
Week eight
About the size of a bean, the embryo's tail is now disappearing and the body starts to look more straightened out. All the internal organs are present and they all start to do their jobs! Bones are developing as the limbs grow longer.
Source: Getty -
Week nine
Muscles have become strong enough to move the arms and legs of the embryo around this time. Skin starts to develop into two layers. The placenta is cleaning away waste, and is making food for your future child along with hormones.
Source: Getty -
Week 10
By the end of this week your embryo turns into a foetus. Fingernails start to grow, as well as taste buds in the tongue. Blood is being made and pumped around the body. Downy hair starts to grow from new hair follicles.
Source: Rex -
Week 11
The foetus can move more of its body. It can form a fist and arch its back. Eyelids are fully developed by now and the eyes will stay shut until much later in the pregnancy.
Source: Rex -
Week 12
You won't be able to feel any movement yet even though the embryo can respond to your touch at this stage. It might even get hiccups! By the end of the first trimester the foetus is pretty much fully formed. Now it just has to grow!
Source: Rex -
Week 13
At the start of the second trimester the foetus is still tiny. In week 13, it should weigh about the same as four two-pence coins. Despite being so small, amazingly the fingers already have their very own little fingerprints.
Source: Rex -
Week 14
Ideally, by now you will have had your first ultrasound appointment where you can see your future baby and hear the heartbeat. The foetus can now move around a lot more energetically as its muscles develop, although this movement is not controlled by the brain yet.
Source: Rex -
Week 15
Laguno starts to cover the body of the foetus. It's a fine downy hair which is shed before birth but may be seen on the bodies of premature babies. Occasionally a term baby is born with laguno still present, and baby seals are born with this hair too!
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Week 16
The foetus is getting bigger all the time. It now is approximately the length of a small ruler. Sweat glands develop on the still transparent skin. The placenta has been growing too and is now about 1cm thick. The foetus's external genitals are forming.
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Week 17
Bones are hardening, including the bones inside the ears. The foetus can now hear sound! Newborns have been shown to recognise the voices they hear while in the womb so don't feel silly chatting to your bump - you are getting to know each other already!
Source: Rex -
Week 18
Eyelashes and eyebrows start to sprout, although the eyelids are still tightly shut at this stage. Lots of funny faces are pulled around this time as your unborn baby starts to exercise the muscles needed to breathe and feed later.
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Week 19
Although weight gain continues, growth from now on is a bit slower. The head size starts to look more in proportion with the body. The heartbeat of the foetus can now be heard with a stethoscope - a magical sound for mum! Many first-time mums feel movement for the first time around now.
Source: Rex -
Week 20
Around this time you should have your second scan at hospital. Your baby's genitals are developed enough to make it possible to tell what gender he or she is if you can't wait until the birth to find out.
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Week 21
By week 21 the sebaceous glands in the skin are making the greasy, waxy material vernix, seen here on this newborn. This is thought to protect the skin. You are well into the second half of your pregnancy now and the embryo is about 27cm long.
Source: Rex -
Week 22
The 22 week old embryo can now swallow some of the liquid surrounding it, and so can make its own urine. It is putting on brown fat. This fat is to keep it warm when born. Nipples appear on boy and girls at about this stage.
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Week 23
You might be surprised to know that the embryo has a startle reflex already. Alveoli (air sacs) are starting to form in the lungs. The embryo now should weigh about 500g, or 1lb.
Source: Rex -
Week 24
Babies born at 24 weeks have a chance of survival but there is quite a high risk of health problems for children arriving so prematurely. He would have to stay in hospital until at least his original due date.
Source: Rex -
Week 25
By now her eyes can open again, and she can blink too. Eyes are usually blue at birth and can take months to settle into their final colour. The brain, nervous system and bronchi in her lungs are all developing, and she is getting fatter.
Source: Rex -
Week 26
The brain is now controlling some movement, so for example, by week 26 he can turn away from bright lights shining onto mum's abdomen. He has regular sleeping and waking patterns and his heart rate is slower.
Source: Rex -
Week 27
A 27 week old foetus has all the same proportions as a newborn, and the same brainwave patterns. Nostrils open in preparation for breathing when born. Incredibly, studies have shown that at this age, a foetus has a memory and can learn!
Source: Rex -
Week 28
Congratulations, you are in the third and final trimester of your pregnancy! Your baby should now weigh about one kilogram. The hair on his head will now be getting longer and thicker.
Source: Rex -
Week 29
Her head is getting bigger now too, it is attempting to keep up with her fast growing brain! As the brain runs out of space it becomes wrinkled and covered with folds and grooves.
Source: Rex -
Week 30
You are probably in your last few weeks of work and your baby is working hard too. He has grown to 33cm long and has little eyebrows. At this stage babies begin to stock up on iron. Boys' testes descend into the scrotum.
Source: Rex -
Week 31
Bone marrow is making her red blood cells now instead of her liver. The baby starts breathing in some of her surrounding amniotic fluid in preparation for breathing when she is born.
Source: Rex -
Week 32
As the lungs are closer to being fully developed by this stage, babies born at 32 weeks or later have a much better chance than those more premature. Early babies born now usually just require some help to breathe and need to be kept warm.
Source: Rex -
Week 33
He weighs nearly 2kg at 33 weeks and is running out of room! Your unborn child can still turn round but hopefully he will decide to keep his head pointing down from now on ready for his impending birth.
Source: Rex -
Week 34
Her hearing should be fully developed around now. On the subject of hearing, your family could try pressing their ears to your tummy to see if they can hear the baby's heartbeat. It is possible if you get the right place!
Source: Rex -
Week 35
Fat is growing under his skin now and he's getting more plump all the time. He starts to look more pink and his skin will appear less loose and wrinkled as he fills out.
Source: Rex -
Week 36
Her bones are getting harder towards the end of your pregnancy but her skull bones stay soft to help with delivery. She is now making cortisone which helps her to breathe when she is out in the air.
Source: Rex -
Week 37
By now most of the lanugo and vernix has gone from the skin and been swallowed by the baby. This is why his first poo (called meconium) will be so different to any other poo you will see!
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Weeks 38-40
If your baby arrives from now onwards it would be considered full term. On average babies weigh between 2.7 to 4.1kg at birth. It gets quite cramped in there when your baby is fully grown - this baby certainly looks keen to have a nice stretch!
Source: Rex -
Week 40
Overdue babies are bigger than others of course, and their skull bones are harder, which can make giving birth more difficult. They are often more alert and lively too, and probably extra keen to meet you as they have been waiting longer!
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Week one
The first week of pregnancy is actually classed as the week after your last period. You haven't even ovulated yet! The baby-to-be really is still just a twinkle in your partner's eye at this stage.
Source: Rex
Unusual celebrity baby names
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Royal Reign
Parents: Lil' Kim and Mr Papers
Rap icon Lil' Kim, real name Kimberley Jones, gave birth to her first child in June 2014 and called the new arrival Royal Reign - perhaps a reference to mum's nickname, Queen Bee? Kim obviously foresees a grand future for her heir to the throne.
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Bunny
Parents: Katie Price and Kieran Hayler
Five kids in, and Katie Price has yet to run out of bizarre baby names. After weeks of deliberation, she has called her latest arrival... Bunny.
Typically for the outlandish former glamour model, Bunny was actually the more sedate choice. Husband Kieran nixed Katie's first choice - Duchess Kate.
Source: Ian West/PA Wire -
Buzz Michelangelo
Parents: Tom and Giovanna Fletcher
McBusted star Tom and actress Giovanna gave their first child the peculiar moniker Buzz Michelangelo, perhaps hoping he'll follow in his parents' creative footsteps.
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Saint Lazslo
Parents: Pete Wentz and Meagan Camper
The Fall Out Boy bassist and girlfriend gave their first child together a lot to live up to by naming him Saint Lazslo. Let's hope he's well behaved!
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Buddy Bear Maurice Oliver
Parents: Jamie and Jools Oliver
Why? On introducing Buddy Bear to the world, Jools Oliver explained that the name Maurice is in memory of her father while she "just liked the named Buddy" which she thought was "sweet".
He joins the couple's three daughters Poppy Honey, Daisy Boo and Petal Blossom Rainbow.
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Sparrow James Midnight Madden
Parents: Nicole Richie and Joel Madden
Why? Proud dad Joel Madden explained: "My worry raising a son in Hollywood is, what will he have to struggle for? I wanted to give him a name that he's going to have to stand up for."
Whether he'll thank them for that remains to be seen.
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Princess Tiaamii
Parents: Katie Price and Peter Andre
Why? According to Pete, Katie always "loved the name Princess" while Tiaamii is a combination of both their mum's names, Thea and Amy.
Katie added: "We've put an accent over the first 'a' to make it a bit more exotic and two i's at the end just to make it look a bit different."
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Brooklyn Beckham
Parents: David and Victoria Beckham
Why? Victoria reportedly liked the name Brooke but decided upon Brooklyn as she was in New York when she found out she was pregnant.
She later admitted: "We did get a certain amount of stick about that. I like Brooklyn as a name - it's quite different - but you couldn't do it all the time. It wouldn't work if you were somewhere like Moscow."
The couple's two younger sons are called Romeo and Cruz... the world waits with baited breath to see what they name their baby girl.
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Apple Blythe Alison Martin
Parents: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin
Why? Gwyneth explained her decision to name her daughter after a fruit, saying: "It sounded so sweet and it conjured such a lovely picture for me - you know, apples are so sweet and they're wholesome and it's biblical."
The couple later named their son Moses.
Source: PA -
Pilot Inspektor Riesgraf Lee
Parents: Jason Lee and Beth Riesgraf
Why? The My Name is Earl star says he was inspired by a Grandaddy song featuring the lyric: "He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's the PIlot."
There doesn't seem to be any explanation as to the Inspektor part but Jason insists his little one is unfazed by his name.
"He loves it. He goes to a little hippy school where all the children have interesting names. He has a friend named Zoot."Source: PA -
Gaia Romilly Wise
Parents: Emma Thompson and Greg Wise
Why? The word Gaia is of Greek origin and simply means 'earth', while in Australia Romilly means "one who roams, walks".
It's fairly apt considering Emma Thompson is keen to take the 10-year-old on a globe-trotting gap year.
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Kal-el Cage
Parents: Nicholas Cage and Alice Kim Cage
Why? Kal-el is the Kryptonite name of none other than fictional hero Superman and it is Nicholas Cage's obsession with DC comics that led to his son's unusual name.
Perhaps Clark (as in Kent) might have been kinder!
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Kyd Miller Duchovny
Parents: David Duchovny and Tea Leoni
Why? It's possible they thought it was either funny or a little bit clever being able to shout "Hey, Kyd!" to their little one.
Since he reportedly prefers to go by Miller, we're guessing he thinks it's neither.
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Satchel Lewis Lee
Parents: Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis
Why? Blaxploitation movie director Spike Lee was delighted when his wife chose the name Satchel, after baseball star Satchel Paige. "She came up with the name on her own. She's not the baseball fan, I am."
We'd understand if the baby was a boy... she wasn't and Brits will forever associate her with a school bag.
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Betty Kitten Ross
Parents: Jonathan Ross and Jane Goldman
Why? Young Betty is reportedly named after risque 1950s pin-up Bettie Page - as if that wasn't bad enough, the youngster had Kitten inexplicably tagged on.
Her sister is named Honey Kinney... we're not sure which we'd prefer.
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Bronx Mowgli Wentz
Parents: Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
Why? Fall Out Boy rocker Pete explained: "The Jungle Book was something that me and Ashlee bonded over. It's a cool name. We came up with the idea Bronx." Bronx is one thing guys, but Mowgli may be taking it one step too far!
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Suri Cruise
Parents: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Why? Katie explained that Suri means "princess" in Hebrew and "red rose" in Persian. Though it is unusual, it could have been a whole lot worse.
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Sage Moonblood Stallone
Parents: Sly Stallone and Sasha Czack
Why? Sage, either from the 'healing' herb or meaning 'wise', is fair enough (even if it is more commonly a girl's name). Moonblood on the other hand...
Still, Sage has kept his full name so it clearly doesn't bother him.
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Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence
Parents: Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence
Why? "Hiraani" was said to be Michael Hutchence's favourite Polynesian word and means "Princess of the beautiful sky".
We can only assume the rest was down to Paula whose other children (with Bob Geldof) are named Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches and Pixie.
Source: PA -
Hero Harper Quinn
Parents: Myleene Klass and Graham Quinn
Why? Rumour has it Myleene and Graham named their second daughter after the character in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
There is also a 'Hero' in Greek mythology though her story is a tragic one.
Source: Wire Image -
Moon Unit Zappa
Parents: Frank Zappa and Adelaide Gail Sloatman
Why? Who knows? Frank Zappa's childrens' names are world-renowned for their weirdness - Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen (yes, really) followed.
However, the couple's eldest daughter still goes by the name Moon (Unit is her middle name) and is an actress, musician and author.
Source: PA -
Moxie Crimefighter Jillette
Parents: Penn and Emily Jillette
Why? Comedy magician Penn explained: "We chose her middle name because when she's pulled over for speeding she can say, 'But officer, we're on the same side. My middle name is CrimeFighter."
Meanwhile the name Moxie means 'spirited' or 'energy'. We hope she's got the energy to keep explaining her middle name.
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Prince Michael II (Blanket)
Parents: Michael Jackson
Why? Whether the late King of Pop named his two boys Prince Michael in order to satisfy his own ego (daughter Paris' middle name is also Michael) is unknown.
Unfortunately for the second Prince Michael, he became better known as Blanket, as his father felt the name reflected protection, comfort and support.
Source: AFP/Getty -
Jermajesty Jackson
Parents: Jermaine Jackson and Halima Rashid
Why? Jermaine has an astonishing eight children by three different women.
He already had Jermaine Jr, Autumn, Dawn, Jeremy, Jaimy Maldonado, Jourdynn Michael and Jaffar, but Jermaine saved the best (or worst) for last, naming his youngest boy Jermajesty.
And you thought Michael was the odd one.
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Harper Seven Beckham
Parents: Victoria and David Beckham
Why? After welcoming her longed-for baby girl, we couldn't wait to learn what Posh and David had chosen for a name.
Sources reckon the couple chose Harper as it's an old English name that Victoria loved, and Seven as it's a lucky number and the new arrival was born just after 7am in the seventh month of the year.
Source: PA -
Koa Egan
Parents: Kian Egan and Jodi Albert
Why? Kian revealed the couple came across the unusual name in a baby names book and fell in love with it. It's a traditional Hawaiian name, meaning brave or warrior, and could have been choosen for Kian's love for surfing.
Source: PA -
Bear Blu Jarecki
Parents: Clueless star Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki
Why? Who knows! Alicia hasn't spoken about her slightly kooky name choice for her first baby. Although very unusual, it kind of actually works, don't you think?
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Moroccan and Monroe
Parents: Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon
Why? Mariah kept her fans guessing for a few days after giving birth to her twins, but when she actually announced the names Moroccan and Monroe we were left scratching our heads. We're guessing she was a fan of Marilyn, and she apparently has a suite on the top floor of her New York apartment named the Moroccan rooms, and she is particularly fond of Moroccan inspired decor..
Source: PA -
Astala
Parents: Peaches Geldof and Thomas Cohen
Why? With a name like Peaches, Bob's daughter was always going to go for something slightly kooky. And she certainly did with Astala! Or, Astala Vista Baby as one of our Facebook fans pointed out!
Source: PA -
Maxwell Drew
Parents: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson
Why? Maxwell is Eric's middle name and Drew is actually Jess' mum Tina's maiden name. Neither names are particularly girlie, considering Jess said she was desperate for a girlie girl before giving birth!
Source: PA -
Tennessee James
Parents: Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth
Why? Reese spent many years in Nashville, so we think the actress is going back to her roots by celebrating her homeland. Either that or she's a massive fan of Tennessee Williams...
Source: PA -
Ray Holiday
Parents: Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones
Why? For their third baby, and third son, Sophie and Richard chose a suitably kooky name to go with older sons, Sonny and Kit. The chose Ray (presumably Raymond) Holiday for their new arrival. While Ray Holiday has quite a ring to it, we're not too sure on Raymond - bit much for a baby? What do you think?
Source: PA -
Rosalind Arusha Arkadina Altalune Florence
Parents: Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson
Why? The couple kept their baby's name a secret for months, but it was finally revealed by Uma's rep, who told People magazine: "I would like to announce Uma and Arki's daughter's name for the first time officially: Rosalind Arusha Arkadina Altalune Florence Thurman-Busson, better known to family and friends as Luna. Each name has a special reason and meaning to her mother and father."
Right.
Source: PA -
Maceo Robert
Parents: Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez
Why? Maceo is a nod to Olivier's Spanish roots. It's a popular medieval Spanish name meaning Gift of God. Maceo is Halle and Olivier's first baby together, but the actress is also mum to daughter Nahla.
Source: Press Associations -
Jaxon
Parents: Claire Sweeney and Daniel Reilly
Why? During her pregnancy Claire described her son as her 'little angel sent from heaven', so she probably settled on this unusual spelling for her son's name because Jaxon means 'God has been gracious'.
Source: Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
