22 weeks pregnant
Your baby is the size of a

If you're 22 weeks pregnant, you're likely becoming more accustomed to your growing belly and the changes that come with it. However, you may also be experiencing new symptoms as your baby continues to develop. From the aches and pains of a growing uterus to hormonal changes that can impact your mood, there are many things to keep in mind during this stage of pregnancy. Keep reading to discover your baby’s size and the developments they’re making, some of the most common symptoms you may experience at 22 weeks pregnant, and tips on how to manage them.

Highlights at 22 Weeks Pregnant

Following are a few highlights from 22 weeks pregnant:

• Your little one now has tiny eyebrows!

• Your baby is becoming more responsive to noises around 22 weeks, and you may observe them reacting to sounds during an ultrasound.

• At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby's sense of touch has developed.

• Soon you could experience mild contraction-like feelings in your abdomen—these may be Braxton Hicks contractions, which are normal and not actually contractions!

• At 22 weeks pregnant, you may be experiencing many changes to your body as your baby bump grows and you gain some weight. If you’re concerned about weight gain, keep an eye on your pregnancy diet, and remember, you’re carrying around a tiny human right now! Your healthcare provider will check your weight and offer you advice if needed. You can also check out our weight gain calculator below to help you stay on track at 22 weeks pregnant.

22 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby's Development

Your little one is making amazing developments during this period. Check out some of the developments happening inside your belly at 22 weeks pregnant:

• When you’re 22 weeks pregnant, your baby’s eyelids are still fused shut, but the eyes themselves are starting to move.

• Tear ducts are also forming, and your baby now has eyebrows—little tufts of fine white hair. Your little one may be furrowing those tiny brows!

• Your baby is becoming more and more responsive to external stimuli. If you were to have an ultrasound at 22 weeks pregnant and a loud noise occurred during the scan, you might see your baby react. For example, your baby might pull their arms and legs closer together in response to the sound.

• Your baby’s brain is rapidly developing, and nerve endings are forming. Around this time your baby will have developed a sense of touch, which means they might be experimenting with this new sense by stroking a body part that they happen to reach or sucking their thumb.

• Your baby is now starting to put on layers of what’s called brown fat, which helps keep them warm.

How Many Months Is 22 Weeks Pregnant?

If you’re 22 weeks pregnant, you may be wondering how many months are in 22 weeks? At 22 weeks, you are approaching the end of your fifth month of pregnancy. If you’re wondering what trimester that is, you’re in the second trimester.

How Big Is a Baby at 22 Weeks Pregnant?

Wondering about the size of your baby when you are 22 weeks pregnant? Your little one could weigh about 450 grams and be almost 30 centimetres long. They’re about the size of a papaya.

Your Baby: What Does 22 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Check out this illustration to help you get a sense of what your little one might look like this week:

Your Body at 22 Weeks Pregnant

As your bump becomes more prominent around 22 weeks, you might find that more and more people are able to tell that you’re pregnant, making this new stage in your life seem all the more real for you.

As your belly grows, you may struggle with your body image. Some days you may love your pregnant body; other days you may feel uncomfortable with these physical changes and worry that you’ll never look the same again.

Having these kinds of feelings is normal, and it might help to speak to your loved ones or your healthcare provider about what you’re going through. Eating healthily and getting regular exercise may also help you feel better.

22 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 22 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Heartburn. That burning sensation in your throat and chest during pregnancy could be heartburn. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart! Heartburn happens when stomach acids leak into the esophagus. It’s a common complaint during pregnancy, as pregnancy hormones relax the valve that usually keeps the acids out. Eating small meals throughout the day, staying upright after eating a meal, and avoiding spicy and fried foods might help. Check with your healthcare provider if you’re struggling with heartburn.

• Hot flashes. Hormonal changes and a faster metabolism are probably responsible for you feeling hotter and sweatier than normal. The best you can do is to try and stay cool, so wear loose clothes, drink lots of water, and put on the fan or air conditioner.

• Racing heart. Did you know that your heart is pumping up to 30 to 50 percent more blood now that you’re pregnant? This is actually good news—more oxygen and nutrients are being delivered to your baby via the placenta. For this reason, having a racing heart can be normal during pregnancy. If you’re 22 weeks pregnant (or anytime during your pregnancy) and you also feel short of breath, you have a persistent headache, or you feel your heart continuously racing, call your healthcare provider ASAP.

• Pelvic pain. Pregnancy hormones loosen your joints, helping them become more flexible. But this flexibility may be causing you some pain in your pelvic area, hips, and legs around 22 weeks. To help, try not to lift heavy objects and avoid standing for too long. Learn more about some of the aches and pains in pregnancy.

• Abdominal pain or cramping. As well as the common lower back pain you may be feeling, you might also experience mild uterine cramping, abdominal pain, or what feels like mild contractions at 22 weeks pregnant, or at another time during this trimester. This could be normal—for example, you could be experiencing Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions, which help your body get ready for labour, or you could be feeling your abdominal muscles and ligaments stretch as your belly grows. However, you'll want to contact your healthcare provider if you have abdominal pain or cramping that doesn't go away or gets worse, or is accompanied by diarrhea; or if you're feeling increased pressure in the pelvic area; or you're experiencing bleeding. Of course, feel free to reach out to your provider if you have questions or concerns about any symptoms at 22 weeks pregnant.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 22 Weeks?

Every pregnancy is unique, so your bump can be very obvious at 22 weeks pregnant or perhaps it’s still easily disguised. Either way, your belly is continuing to grow as your baby and uterus expand. If you recently had a prenatal checkup (perhaps including an ultrasound exam) at 20 to 22 weeks, your healthcare provider may have measured your fundal height, which is the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus.

What Does 22 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For a better idea of what size your belly might be around 22 weeks pregnant, in your fifth month of pregnancy, check out the image below.

22 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

From picking baby names to maintaining intimacy with your partner, being 22 weeks pregnant brings with it many things to consider. Read on for some helpful tips and suggestions.

• Try some stress-relief methods. It’s normal to worry during pregnancy. However, it’s better for both you and your baby if you try to keep your stress levels under control. This is easier said than done, but strategies such as cutting back on the number of hours you work, delegating tasks to others, exercising regularly, and speaking to someone you trust about your fears and anxieties could really help.

• Sex during pregnancy is generally safe if you’re having a healthy and normal pregnancy, and when both you and your partner feel up for it. You won’t hurt your baby—the amniotic sac and the muscles of your uterus keep your baby protected. You may find that your sex drive ebbs and flows during pregnancy. Some pregnant people report an increased desire for sex during this trimester, as their energy levels have now returned after the first stage of pregnancy. Seeing some spots of blood or having mild cramping after sex can be normal, but if you have heavy bleeding or persistent cramping at 22 weeks or anytime in your pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider. If you have pregnancy complications—for example, if you’re at an increased risk of preterm labour—your provider may recommend abstaining from sex during your pregnancy.

• Keep looking for those baby names! If you’re struggling to find inspiration, check out our list of the top baby boy names and our list of the top baby girl names. If you have a few favourite names but you’re struggling to pick, consider throwing a baby naming party—perhaps your loved ones can help you make your mind up.

• If you have other children, consider how you will let them know about the new arrival and think about how you would like to involve them in your pregnancy.

• Start planning your baby’s nursery and think about what changes need to be made to the existing room to make it comfortable for your baby. If your baby will be sharing the space with your toddler, read our article on creating a room for two.

22 Weeks Pregnant: Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Throughout your pregnancy, your healthcare provider is there to support you and answer any questions you have. Here are some common questions at 22 weeks:

• What is the average weight gain at 22 weeks pregnant? And if I’m not where I should be, what changes should I make to get back on track? Keep in mind that you can also play around with our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator.

• Do I need a flu shot? What should I do if I come down with the flu?

• What should I do if I come in contact with someone who has chicken pox?

• What hospitals or birth centres do you recommend? When do I need to pre-register to deliver?

22 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

For a little help along the way, check out our to-dos:

□ If you now know your little one’s gender and would like to do a big reveal for family and friends, start organizing your gender reveal party. To help you out, we've put together some gender reveal ideas.

□ With a few months to go until your due date, now is a good time to start thinking about and researching your options for labour and delivery. Consult your healthcare provider and find out what’s available to you. You might like to enquire about pain relief and other comfort measures that might be options for you.

□ Start to think about who you would like with you during labour and delivery. It could be your partner, a relative, or a friend. Some pregnant people hire a doula—someone who has received special training in labour support and childbirth. If you would like to hire a doula, then start asking around for referrals—you could ask your healthcare provider or the person who runs your birthing class.

□ If you’re thinking of breastfeeding, ask your healthcare provider or other pregnant people in your area for tips on finding a good lactation consultant or lactation classes that you could sign up for.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}