22 down, 18 to go

I’m not trying to put you all to sleep, but seeing as how I can’t hardly remember how many weeks pregnant I am, let alone what is developing with the baby right now, I thought I’d check BabyCenter and see what’s going on with this crazy kid.

And this baby is crazy!! Kicking, moving, turning cartwheels all the time, especially when I’m trying to sleep. (Jenny used to call this “Dance Party at Club Utero” when she was pregnant with Sophie). Let’s just hope the latter isn’t an indicator of the kid’s internal clock. Yesterday and today, though, he or she must be sleeping or something, because I haven’t felt a whole lot of movement. It makes me a little nervous, but I have felt enough to ward off the urge to call my OB in a panic. Other than that, though, everything seems to be going pretty well.

Speaking of calling my OB in a panic, at my last appointment, I informed my doctor that I had diagnosed myself with gestational diabetes. She was not impressed… especially when I couldn’t give her any concrete reasons why. In fact, our exact conversation was “Did you have diabetes last time?” “No.” “Well then you probably don’t have it this time.” But I still think I do. Apparently I have a few weeks to wait before I find out, though. I could always test my blood sugar, as my husband has Type 1 and we have lots of diabetes toys at our house, but I’ve yet to work up the nerve. There are more levels of crazy to this story, but I will spare you.

So onto BabyCenter’s guide to the 22nd week.

Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound (shoot, I was hoping it would say ‘almost 20 pounds’… that would explain a lot). Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily (go pancreas, go! Don’t wimp out on us like your dad’s did!!).

How your life’s changing:
You may start to notice stretch marks on your skin as your abdomen expands to accommodate your growing baby. Some pregnant women never get stretch marks, but at least half do. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color), and they become more apparent as pregnancy progresses. They can appear not only on your tummy, but also on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. Lotions won’t prevent or eliminate them, but they help with any itching. Also, you may no longer be an “innie” — your navel is flat and may soon pop out. It will revert to its usual shape after birth.

Another interesting skin quirk you may notice during pregnancy is something called vascular spiders. These are little areas of raised, reddish skin, with tiny branches. Commonly found on the face, neck, upper chest, and arms, they’re caused by the higher levels of estrogen in pregnancy, and they usually disappear after delivery. (ok well that just sounds awful. I had never heard of such a thing.)

Surprising Facts: Body changes beyond your belly

You expected your belly to grow, and perhaps your breasts too, but the following physical changes may take you by surprise. As with most pregnancy symptoms, you can credit hormones for most of these alterations in your looks. (In other words, a list of things that will make me look awful. GREAT.)

• Thicker, more lustrous hair. You’re not actually growing more hair, just losing less than normal. During pregnancy, your body sheds hair much more slowly than it did before. What to do: If thicker hair is a boon for you, enjoy it. If it’s making your mane more unruly than ever, ask your stylist to do some thinning at your next cut. After your baby’s born, you’ll start to lose this excess hair, sometimes in clumps, so it won’t last forever. (I am actually happy to say that I am experiencing this. I am concerned about my hair being thin above my bangs, so I’m enjoying this while it lasts. I do, however, remember very well the post-partum hair loss. I was definitely looking into Rogaine there for a while.)

• Increased body hair. Sex hormones known as androgens can cause new hair to sprout on your chin, upper lip, jaw, and cheeks. Stray hairs can also pop up on your belly, arms, legs, and back. What to do: Tweezing, waxing, and shaving are all safe ways to manage these temporary changes. (Ok if this is the trade off, I’ll keep my thin hair!)

• Fast-growing fingernails. Your fingernails may grow more quickly and you may notice changes in texture. Some women’s nails get harder, others’ get softer or more brittle. What to do: Indulge in an occasional manicure at your favorite nail salon.

• Skin changes. Some pregnant women report that their skin has never looked better. If that’s you, enjoy the proverbial “glow.” Others find the hormones of pregnancy aggravate skin conditions such as acne. What to do: Talk to your caregiver about safe treatments during pregnancy. Some acne medications pose serious dangers to your baby. (Does this mean I should lay off the Acutane? I thought the pictures of babies with legs growing out of their ears were just for kicks.)

• Larger and darker nipples and areolas. You may find that your nipples and areolas — the pigmented circles around your nipples — are getting bigger and darker. The little bumps on your areolas, known as Montgomery’s tubercles, may also be more pronounced. These bumps are oil-producing glands that help fight off bacteria and lubricate the skin. Some women also notice more pronounced veins in their breasts. What to do: Nothing — all these changes are preparing your breasts for nursing your baby.

• Larger feet. Your feet may go up half a shoe size or more. Swelling is partly to blame, but lax ligaments also make your feet spread — permanently. What to do: Buy a comfortable pair of clogs or slip-ons to accommodate your growing feet. (Re-read this sentence and replace “feet” with “ass.” This paints a more accurate picture.)