22 weeks 
pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms during week 22

Acne

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.

Spider veins

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.

Diarrhea

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.

Swelling

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).

Leg cramps

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.

Pelvic pain

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).

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Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.