Day 157 of 280, second trimester
You are 22 weeks and 3 days
You'll probably make new friends during pregnancy, but some old friendships may change.
123 days until your due date
You may not have expected your friendships to change. It's normal to be drawn to women who are pregnant or have recently had a baby, and common to make friends at prenatal classes. It's natural to want people around you who are going through, or have been through, the same thing, not least because they can answer so many of your questions. You may also feel closer to female relatives, especially your mother.
Friends who aren't pregnant or don't have children may be less interested in the details. It can be hard for them to understand how all-consuming pregnancy and having a child can be, when it may be literally all you can think about. If you value these friendships, make an effort to have some "non-pregnancy" chats; it's good for you not to be 100 percent focused on the pregnancy.
If you drift apart from some friends for a while, don't worry. Good friends will stay good friends even if your lives go in different directions for a time.
Explainer
Pregnant friends
Spending time with other expectant mothers lets you share the ups and downs, and it's fun to do things together, such as swimming or water aerobics.
As a matter of fact
Older moms
The number of women over 40 getting pregnant is at an all-time high.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the birth rate for women aged 40–44 has more than doubled since 1981 and risen 65 percent since 1990, and rates for women 45–49 and over 50 have risen too. The average age of first-time mothers is 25.2.
Ask a Doctor
My fingers tingle, and I've been told I have carpal tunnel syndrome. What is it?
It happens when swollen tissue in the wrist squeezes the nerves, causing pins and needles and numbness in the fingers, and sometimes difficulty gripping and weak hands. In pregnancy it's caused by extra blood and fluid, especially in the second and third trimesters. Circling and stretching exercises improve circulation and wrist mobility, and your doctor can show you how. Wrist splints and raising your hands on a pillow at night can help too. It goes away after the birth, once the extra fluid has gone.
Appointments and key dates around now
- Whooping cough vaccineUsually around 20 weeks, best before 32 weeks
Read the full 22 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.