Week 22

Your baby is now as big as a pomegranate, and can perceive light and sound. You are facing hormonal changes that might cause skin-related issues. Read on to find out how you can manage these symptoms.

At 27 to 28cm long, your baby now weighs around 9oz. They’re becoming more responsive to your voice as their hearing and recognition improves. Their skin is still transparent, but their face and body shape are beginning to resemble a newborn more and more with each day that passes.

During pregnancy, your skin retains more water, making it look more youthful, plumper and fresher. And because your blood circulation has increased, your skin can look rosier too. It’s also the reason you need to drink plenty of fluids; your body needs water to make the extra blood for your baby. Even if it feels like you’re constantly taking toilet breaks, make sure you drink at least 2 litres of water throughout the day, keeping a bottle with you can help with this.

Unfortunately, for some women the higher levels of hormones which are helping your baby can also encourage your skin to produce more sebum, which can result in blocked pores and consequently spots. As ever, rubbing or squeezing your affected skin can just make things worse. Stick to regular cleansing with a gentle cleanser to keep skin clean, and you may find an oil-free moisturiser helpful. In some cases these hormones can cause acne – if acne is affecting you, speak to your doctor and do not use acne creams unless your doctor prescribes them for you. Your skin should return to its pre-pregnancy condition a few weeks after birth.

Your stretched, delicate skin may also feel more sensitive than usual. Staying out of the sun or wearing a high-factor sunscreen and keeping your skin well moisturised (we recommend vitamin E cream) will help if you’re suffering from irritated or dry skin. Wear natural fabrics such as cotton or linen and if you suspect that something is causing you irritation, such as soap, perfume or the washing powder you’ve been using, try to identify and avoid it.

Click here to read about weight gain during pregnancy >>

If you’ve got any questions or would like to talk about any aspect of your pregnancy, just get in touch with our Careline team for advice and support on 009647723342222 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Saturday to Thursday.