22 weeks pregnant
At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a papaya: around 27.8 cm head to heel and 430 g. Eyebrows and eyelids are fully formed.
Your baby at 22 weeks
Eyebrows and eyelids are fully formed.
| Size | About the size of a papaya |
|---|---|
| Length | 27.8 cm head to heel |
| Weight | 430 g |
Your baby's eyebrows and eyelids are fully formed, though the eyes stay closed and the irises have no colour yet. The lips are more distinct, and your baby can feel touch and grip firmly. The pancreas, which makes insulin, is developing steadily. Your baby now looks like a tiny newborn, just much thinner.
How far along are you at 22 weeks?
At 22 weeks pregnant you are in the fifth month of your pregnancy and the second trimester. You have about 18 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 22 weeks your baby has been growing for about 20 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 22 weeks
You may feel the first flutters. The detailed anomaly scan usually happens around now. Backache is common as your posture changes.
Common symptoms at 22 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Braxton Hicks. Your bump may tighten for a minute or so, then relax.
- Swollen feet. Rest with your feet up when you can.
- Haemorrhoids (piles). Constipation and pressure can cause swollen veins around the bottom.
- A darker line on your tummy. The linea nigra usually fades after birth.
- Back pain. Sleeping on your side with pillows can help.
- Bigger feet. Loosened ligaments can make your feet spread a little.
Your checklist for week 22
- Make sure your glucose test is booked if you've been offered one for 24 to 28 weeks.
- Choose your hospital and check what your insurance covers for delivery.
- Look into car seats and a safe sleep space for your baby.
- Keep going with pelvic floor exercises.
- If constipation is a problem, increase fibre and fluids before it causes piles.
Tip of the week: Braxton Hicks or real contractions?
Braxton Hicks are your womb practising. They are usually painless or mildly uncomfortable, irregular, and fade when you change position, rest or drink water. Real contractions get stronger, longer and closer together, and don't go away with rest. Before 37 weeks, regular or painful tightenings need checking straight away.
For your partner
She may feel the first kicks. You might soon too.
- Put your hand on the bump in the evening
- Join the anomaly scan
- Talk to the bump; baby will hear you soon
When to call your doctor at 22 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Tightenings that become regular or painful, more than four in an hour.
- A gush or trickle of fluid, or bleeding.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes.
Questions about 22 weeks pregnant
Are Braxton Hicks normal at 22 weeks?
Yes. Many women feel them from mid-pregnancy, and some never notice them. They are irregular, usually painless, and settle with rest. Call your doctor if they become regular, painful, or come with fluid, bleeding or pressure.
Why are my feet so swollen?
Your body holds on to more fluid during pregnancy, and your growing womb slows blood flow back from your legs. Heat, standing for a long time and salty food make it worse. Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, especially with a headache, can be pre-eclampsia, so get checked.
How can I ease piles in pregnancy?
Avoid straining by eating plenty of fibre and drinking enough. Don't sit on the toilet for long. A cold compress and gentle washing help, and a pharmacist can suggest creams that are safe in pregnancy.