Week 22
Your baby is the size of a papaya
What's happening this week
Your baby is the size of a papaya — about 11 inches from head to toe and weighing roughly 1 pound. For the first time, your baby is starting to look like the person you'll meet at delivery. The proportions are becoming more balanced, the features more refined.
Eyebrows and hair are now clearly visible, though the hair lacks pigment — it's white or very light at this point and may darken later. The lips are becoming more distinct, and the eyes are fully formed though the iris (the colored part) still lacks pigment. Your baby looks like a tiny, very thin newborn — the chubbiness that comes with fat deposits is still weeks away.
Inside, the reproductive system is reaching significant milestones. In males, the testes have begun their descent from the abdomen toward the scrotum — a journey that will take several more weeks. In females, the uterus and ovaries are in place, and the vagina has developed. Remarkably, female babies already have a lifetime supply of eggs in their ovaries — about 6 to 7 million at this point, though that number will decrease significantly by birth.
Your baby's grip is getting stronger, and they frequently grab the umbilical cord — their favorite toy in the womb. The muscles are maturing, and movements are increasingly coordinated. Your baby can respond to touch: if you press on your belly, they may push back.
The brain is entering a period of rapid growth that will continue throughout the rest of the pregnancy and well into the first years of life. Neural connections are forming at a staggering pace, laying the groundwork for every future thought, emotion, and movement.
Your body this week
At 22 weeks, you might be feeling like you've hit a stride. The bump is prominent, movement is regular, and many of the early pregnancy discomforts have faded. This is often a period of relative calm before the third trimester introduces a new set of physical challenges.
Stretch marks may be appearing or becoming more visible on your abdomen, breasts, hips, or thighs. They affect up to 90% of pregnant people and are largely determined by genetics rather than anything you did or didn't do. Keeping skin moisturized helps with itchiness and comfort, but no cream or oil has been proven to prevent them.
You may notice swelling in your feet and ankles, particularly by the end of the day or after standing for extended periods. This is caused by your body retaining more fluid and the growing uterus putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your lower body. Elevating your legs, staying hydrated (counterintuitively, drinking more water helps reduce fluid retention), and wearing comfortable shoes all help. Compression socks can also provide relief.
Braxton Hicks contractions may start appearing around now — irregular, painless tightening of the uterus that feels like your belly is getting momentarily hard. They're your body's way of practicing for labor and are completely normal. They should be infrequent, irregular, and not painful. If contractions become regular, painful, or are accompanied by other symptoms, contact your provider.
Your next prenatal visit will likely include the glucose screening test between weeks 24 and 28, which checks for gestational diabetes. It involves drinking a sweet solution and having your blood drawn an hour later.
For dads
By now, you can probably feel the baby kick from the outside — and if you haven't yet, it's coming very soon. Place your hand on your partner's belly when she says the baby is active and wait. That first kick against your palm is a moment most dads remember vividly. Some babies even respond to your voice or the warmth of your hand. It's your first direct interaction with your child, and it's as real as it gets before birth. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of baby gear available, you're not alone. Focus on the essentials: a safe car seat, a safe sleep space (crib or bassinet with a firm mattress and nothing else in it), and a way to feed the baby. Everything else is secondary.
The glucose screening test is coming up in the next few weeks, and your partner might be nervous about it — or at least annoyed at the idea of drinking an extremely sweet solution on command. Gestational diabetes is relatively common (affecting about 2-10% of pregnancies) and very manageable when caught early. If she's diagnosed, it typically means dietary adjustments and blood sugar monitoring, sometimes medication. It's not a failure — it's a hormonal response to pregnancy that some bodies have. Support her without judgment, and if dietary changes are needed, consider making them with her. Solidarity goes a long way.
Common concerns
Is it normal to feel Braxton Hicks contractions this early?+
Yes — Braxton Hicks can start as early as the second trimester, though many people don't notice them until the third. They feel like a painless tightening or hardening of your abdomen that lasts 30 seconds to a minute. They're irregular, infrequent, and shouldn't be painful. If contractions become regular (coming at consistent intervals), painful, or are accompanied by back pain, pressure, or vaginal discharge, contact your provider — these could be signs of preterm labor.
How much should the baby be moving at 22 weeks?+
At 22 weeks, movement patterns are still developing, and you shouldn't expect consistency yet. You might feel several kicks one hour and nothing for several hours after. Your baby has active periods and sleep periods, and the pattern will become more predictable in the third trimester. Formal kick counting (10 movements in 2 hours) typically begins around 28 weeks. For now, enjoy the movements you feel without stressing over frequency.
Can I still travel by air at 22 weeks?+
For most healthy pregnancies, flying is considered safe throughout the second trimester. Most airlines allow pregnant passengers to fly up to 36 weeks for domestic flights and 28-36 weeks for international flights (policies vary). Stay hydrated, walk the aisle periodically to reduce the risk of blood clots, wear compression socks, and keep your seatbelt fastened below your belly. Carry your prenatal records and your provider's contact information. Check with your provider before booking any travel.
When should I worry about swelling?+
Mild swelling in the feet, ankles, and hands — especially later in the day — is normal and caused by fluid retention and increased blood volume. However, seek prompt medical attention if swelling is sudden or severe, affects your face (particularly around the eyes), is accompanied by headache or vision changes, or occurs in only one leg with warmth and redness (which could indicate a blood clot). Sudden, severe swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that requires immediate evaluation.
Product picks for week 22
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Comfortable compression socks
Swelling feet and ankles are common now — graduated compression socks improve circulation and reduce end-of-day puffiness.
Baby gear essentials checklist
Cut through the marketing noise — a curated checklist of what you actually need vs. what's nice to have saves money and stress.
Cocoa butter belly cream
Whether or not it prevents stretch marks, a rich belly cream eases itchiness and keeps rapidly stretching skin comfortable.
A quick note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns. Learn how we create our content.
Content based on guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Mayo Clinic, and peer-reviewed medical literature. Learn more about how we create our content.