Support and information from NCT
NCT offers reliable support and information about the various stages of pregnancy, week by week.
Your developing baby
Your baby is continuing to get bigger and slowly putting on weight. Around this week their brain will also begin to develop fast.
In terms of movement, whilst they’re still small they will have room in your belly to be moving around a lot and doing somersaults. This may mean you feel them being very active with a difference in activity between day and night.
Sex during pregnancy
At 22 weeks your energy levels pick up and you may feel more like having sex than in previous months.
Some women and men worry about having sex during pregnancy and whether their baby might ‘feel’ anything. Your baby is cocooned inside the amniotic sac and has no concept of sexuality. In fact, when you orgasm your blood flow also increases, increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients being delivered to your baby.
Urine infections
Urine infections are more common during pregnancy because tissue relaxation may prevent your bladder from completely emptying, and the urine left behind can become infected.
You may also be more susceptible to cystitis (an infection of the bladder that makes passing urine painful, often with a burning sensation). If you have any discomfort when going to the toilet, talk to your midwife or GP.
Enlarging breasts
You’ll find your breasts are getting bigger as you progress in your pregnancy. As they grow they may feel heavier and more uncomfortable so you may want to be fitted for a maternity bra.
Maternity bras generally have no underwired support making your bra sit more comfortably with your growing bump.
Checklist
Have you checked if you qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance?
Further information
NCT offers reliable support and information about the various stages of pregnancy, week by week. Our support line offers practical and emotional support in many areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
