Pregnancy Week 22

Learn From the Specialists

What Your Baby is Doing This Week

Your baby is already developing her senses to learn about the world around herself. The nerve endings and the brain are developed enough at this point she can feel touch. Taste buds are formed on her tiny little tongue and at this point of development, fetuses have been seen stroking their own faces or sucking their thumbs to explore their small worlds.

The final formation of your baby's reproductive organs has begun this week. In little boys, the testes will have begun their final descent from his abdomen and in little girls, this week will find the uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed.

What Your Body is Doing This Week

Have you noticed a direct, painless squeezing sensation in your belly? If you have you are probably feeling Braxton Hicks contractions. They are basically the practice contractions and another way your body is making sure all systems are go for delivery when the time comes. Don't worry about the effect on your baby. BH contractions may squeeze the uterus but your baby is in no danger. Braxton Hicks should never hurt, if you have contractions that become more intense, become painful or regular, contact your health care provider immediately because you may be in preterm labor.

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