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The right words can help you through even the most challenging moments. Try some of these encouraging affirmations for pregnancy and parenting.
Is your dog extra protective? Is your cat curling up on your belly? Many animal experts and pet lovers agree that pets can sense pregnancy (or at least pregnancy-related changes).
You can have a healthy plus-size pregnancy. Being overweight or obese raises your risk for some complications, but many of these are manageable – and in some cases preventable.
You're in your fifth month!
Baby hair is visible on your little one's head. It's thin now, but may be thick and lustrous by the end of pregnancy. Your baby has eyebrows now, as well as lanugo (soft, fine body hair) on their back, ears, shoulders, and forehead.
Your baby may be able to hear sounds from inside your body, such as noises from your breathing, heartbeat, and digestion. These sounds will grow louder as your baby's hearing improves. And once your little one is born, they may sleep better with a sound machine that makes whooshing and thumping sounds similar to the ones they're used to hearing.
A layer of fat is forming under your baby's skin. Someday you'll kiss your little one's chubby rolls, but for now, your baby's body is still very skinny.
Pregnancy acne is very common, and can strike even if you've never had pimples before. (Pregnancy-related hormone changes are probably to blame.) Before using any acne medication, talk to your provider or a dermatologist to make sure it's safe for pregnancy. Many acne treatments aren't recommended for expecting moms and one – isotretinoin (a type of retinoid) – can cause serious birth defects. Find out more about safe skin care during pregnancy.
Like varicose veins, spider veins tend to pop up during pregnancy because you have extra blood and a growing uterus putting pressure on your veins. Spider veins are a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin, usually on the legs or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may appear as a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins don't bulge out. To prevent spider veins and varicose veins, get regular exercise, put your feet up, don't sit or stand for long periods without a break, and wear compression socks.
It's more common for pregnant women to have constipation than diarrhea. But diarrhea can still happen during pregnancy – for many of the same reasons it happens when you're not pregnant. In addition, some women report having mild diarrhea in late pregnancy just before they go into labor. If you have loose stools three or more times in one day, you have diarrhea. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids (fluids that contain salt, like broth or sports drinks, are helpful), and ask your provider about taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications. If your diarrhea lasts longer than two days, or you think you could have food poisoning, call your doctor or midwife.
It's normal to have some pregnancy swelling, also called edema. You're retaining more water, your blood chemistry is moving more fluid into your tissues, and your growing uterus is putting pressure on major veins, slowing down the return of blood from your legs. After you give birth, your body will get rid of the extra fluid pretty quickly through your pee and sweat. If you're swelling, keep an eye out for signs of preeclampsia, such as excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles or more than moderate swelling of your hands or face. Also, make sure to alert your provider immediately if one leg is significantly more swollen than the other, which could signal a blood clot known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
You may start having leg cramps during your second trimester, especially at night when you're trying to sleep. Leg cramps could be due to the extra weight your body is carrying around, or they could be related to pregnancy swelling. If you have one, stretch your calf muscles immediately by straightening your leg and flexing your toes back towards your shin. Then massage the muscle and apply heat, or walk around to warm it up.
Normal pregnancy changes including relaxed ligaments, weight gain, and your changing center of gravity can all contribute to pelvic pain. As your belly grows, your pelvis is pushed forward, and the curve of your lower back becomes more pronounced. This can place a lot of strain on the muscles and ligaments in and around the pelvis. In fact, lower back pain and pelvic pain are often related. You may feel soreness, stabbing, stinging, or burning sensations anywhere from the top of your hip bones down to the fold of your butt, either in the front or back. For relief, try a pregnancy belly band or support belt, physical therapy, and a pain reliever like acetaminophen (talk to your provider before taking medication, though).
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
Moms-to-be usually don't throw their own baby shower (ask a relative or friend to do this for you), but you can weigh in on the theme, games, and guest list. If this isn't your first baby, you may want to consider having a baby sprinkle, which is a more casual baby shower with fewer guests.
During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume as well as to nourish your growing baby and placenta. Without adequate iron, you could develop anemia and feel even more tired and lethargic. Do your best to eat iron-rich foods and ask your provider whether you need an iron supplement. (Your prenatal vitamin may contain all you need, however.)
Whether you'd like to learn specific techniques like Lamaze, Bradley, or HypnoBirthing, or just want to understand more about labor and delivery, a birth class will help prepare you. Also check out BabyCenter's online childbirth class, which teaches the signs and stages of labor, pain management techniques, and more.
Pregnant women are more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome because of the swelling that occurs in their hands and wrists. This is more likely if you make repetitive hand movements, such as flexing and extending your wrists, while doing things like working on a computer. Taking breaks, stretching your wrists, and making sure your workstation is ergonomic can help.
Your uterus is about an inch above your belly button at 22 weeks pregnant. It could look like an unmistakable baby bump or it could be easily disguised, depending on your body type and clothing.
Eventually, your feet will disappear under your growing bump. Speaking of feet, they may be swollen or even a whole size bigger, and you may find your shoes aren't fitting as well as they used to. If you invest in some new shoes, make sure they're comfortable and stable. Check out these best shoes for pregnancy for ideas.
Marcella Gates is executive editor at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
