22 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you’re 22 weeks pregnant, you may be starting to feel the full weight of your pregnancy as your baby bump grows and you prepare for your little one's arrival. We've put together this useful guide all about 22 weeks pregnant, including the symptoms you might experience, updates on your baby's development, and questions you can ask your GP or midwife.

Highlights at 22 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some highlights from 22 weeks pregnant that you might like to check out before getting into all the details:

• Your little one is about the size of a papaya at 22 weeks pregnant!

• They’re developing their taste buds and may even be able to taste what you’re eating.

• At 22 weeks pregnant, you may be experiencing many changes to your body as your baby bump grows and you gain some weight. This may mean people are starting to notice that you’re pregnant – so, why not consider some pregnancy announcements?

• If you’re concerned about your weight gain, try to maintain a healthy balanced diet and remember, you’re carrying around a tiny human right now! Your GP or midwife 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.

Your Baby's Development at 22 Weeks Pregnant

Check out some of the developments your baby is making inside your belly at 22 weeks pregnant:

• Feeling peckish? Maybe you’re not the only one. At around 22 weeks pregnant, you might now have a little gourmet living inside your bump! Your little one’s taste buds are developing, and as certain flavours find their way into the amniotic fluid, they may be able to taste what you have just had for dinner.

• Munching on healthy and nutritious food while you’re pregnant not only keeps you and your foetus healthy, but it can also help make your little one less of a fussy eater later on.

• It might sound strange but what you eat now could influence your baby’s food preferences after they’re born. This is another good reason to cut down on sweets and junk food.

• If you’ve just had your 20-week ultrasound scan, you might have noticed your little one making little swallowing motions. This happens when your foetus takes small gulps of the amniotic fluid that surrounds them.

• Most of the swallowed fluid will stay in his bowels and turn into meconium – a sticky, tar-like poo that will come out with your baby’s very first bowel movement after they’re born.

How Many Months Is 22 Weeks Pregnant?

What month are you in when you’re 22 weeks pregnant? 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.

What Size Is a Baby at 22 Weeks Pregnant?

Now that you’re 22 weeks pregnant, your foetus is about the size of a papaya, measuring close to 27.8 centimetres from head to toe, and weighing in at around 430 grams.

Your Baby: What Does 22 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

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

Your Body at 22 Weeks Pregnant

Leaky breasts are something you might be experiencing at 22 weeks pregnant or a little later on – if you haven’t already, that is. If you notice any fluid dripping out of your nipples or leaving stains on your bra, this is probably colostrum – the first milk your body produces to feed your baby straight after birth.

Not everyone gets this kind of leakage, but it is perfectly normal if you do. In fact, it might help you feel a little more reassured that your breasts are gearing up to provide food for your little one when the time comes.

If you’re experiencing colostrum leaks, consider getting some breast pads to put in your bra to absorb the excess liquid. Some soft tissue paper also does the trick if you don’t have any to hand.

Your Symptoms at 22 Weeks Pregnant

At 22 weeks pregnant, symptoms may vary, just like every pregnancy can vary – remember, we’re all unique! However, there are some symptoms you may be experiencing around this time, including:

• Indigestion and heartburn. If you experience a burning sensation in your throat or chest during pregnancy, this could be indigestion or heartburn. Other symptoms include burping, nausea or bloating. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart! It happens when stomach acid moves up towards your throat. Anyone can suffer from indigestion and heartburn, but it’s more common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. In the second and third trimesters, heartburn can also be caused by your growing foetus squashing your stomach. Eating lots of smaller meals instead of a few big ones is one way of lowering the risk of indigestion. Staying upright after eating also helps. Spicy and rich foods, as well as caffeine-based drinks, can make your indigestion worse, so try cutting down on these. Talk to your GP before taking any medicine for indigestion.

• Feeling hot. You may be feeling a bit hot and sweaty at 22 weeks pregnant, as a result of hormonal changes and an increase in blood flow to your skin. Stay comfortable by freshening up with frequent showers and keeping your living space cool with a fan or air-conditioning. Wearing loose clothing made of natural, breathable fibres can also help.

• Pelvic pain. If you’re experiencing pain in the lower pelvic area, sometimes accompanied by a clicking or grinding sensation, it might be a condition known as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, or PGP for short. The pain may intensify when you walk or go up and down stairs. PGP isn’t harmful to your foetus, and won’t usually prevent you from having a vaginal birth, but it’s best to discuss treatment options with your GP to prevent it from worsening. Sometimes treatment involves wearing a pelvic support belt or using crutches to take the weight off your pelvic joints.

• Abdominal pain. Mild stomach pains or cramping can be common symptoms at 22 weeks pregnant and throughout your pregnancy, but it might be a good idea to check in with your midwife or GP about it, just in case. A sharp cramp in the side of your tummy, quite low down, can be what’s referred to as round ligament pain. This is caused by the ligaments in your body stretching to make room for your ever-expanding bump. Other causes of abdominal aches and twinges include constipation and wind. An irregular tightening in your tummy may be Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes known as ‘practice contractions’. These can be uncomfortable but aren’t usually painful. It’s more common to feel them in the third trimester, but they might occur at any time during your pregnancy. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe or persistent pain, cramping or tightening at regular intervals, stomach pain with bleeding or spotting or an unusual vaginal discharge.

• Stretch marks. Lots of pregnant people get these striations on their skin. If you get stretch marks, they may seem very vivid when they first appear, but they usually fade away over time after you give birth, usually leaving a faint silvery trace. You can’t really do anything to prevent or eliminate stretch marks, but a non-scented moisturiser may help your skin retain its elasticity.

• If you’re 22 weeks pregnant with twins, check out our twin pregnancy article for more information on symptoms and developments.

It's common to wonder at 22 weeks pregnant and throughout pregnancy if the symptoms of being pregnant with a girl versus a boy can differ. Whilst it’s fun to predict the sex or have fun with some old-wives’ tales, there’s no way to tell whether you’re having a boy or a girl just by the symptoms you experience.

What Size Is a Pregnant Belly at 22 Weeks?

As your baby and belly continue to grow in size, more and more people around you might notice that you’re pregnant around 22 weeks. When people start giving up their seats for you on public transport, commenting on your bump or asking how far along are you, it could make this new stage in your life seem all the more real for you.

What Does 22 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

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

Things to Consider at 22 Weeks Pregnant

From intimacy with your partner to announcing your pregnancy, here are some things you may want to consider around 22 weeks pregnant.

• If you’ve been keeping your cards close to your chest, maybe it’s time to reveal the big news! Check out some of these fun ideas for announcing your pregnancy.

• It’s probably safe to keep on having sex when you’re pregnant, as long as your GP or midwife hasn’t advised against it. Keep in mind, you or your partner’s sex drive may change when you’re pregnant. This is perfectly normal. Many couples continue to enjoy lovemaking; others are less comfortable with the idea. The important thing is to keep talking to each other about your feelings and find other ways to be intimate.

• If you’re working and haven’t told your boss that you’re pregnant yet, your growing bump might be making it harder and harder to keep secret around 22 weeks pregnant, and you may decide it’s time to reveal the news. Depending on your situation, you may have access to certain entitlements, including maternity leave. Ask your employer and midwife for information about what’s available to you.

• Consider adding pelvic floor exercises to your daily routine. The beauty of these exercises is that you can do them almost anywhere – just clench and unclench the muscles that you squeeze to stop yourself from peeing. About 10-15 times in a session is enough at first, then you can increase the number and duration of clenches gradually as the muscles get stronger. This is great for strengthening the ‘deep stomach’ muscles that support your growing foetus, and taking some of the strain off your pelvis and back. Doing these muscle clenches regularly also stands you in good stead if you plan to give birth vaginally, as these muscles are very important during labour. Doing pelvic floor exercises can also lower your risk of incontinence after pregnancy.

• Keep looking for those baby names! If you’re struggling to find inspiration or you have a shortlist but don’t know which way to go, 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. Read our article on

  preparing the older sibling for a newborn for more on this topic.

• 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.

• Having a network of parents you can share stories with and get advice from can make your pregnancy and parenthood journey that much easier.

Questions For Your Doctor at 22 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some common questions to ask your GP or midwife at 22 weeks pregnant:

• Is my pregnancy weight gain reasonable at 22 weeks pregnant? If not, what can I do to get back on track?

• Should I have a flu vaccination while I’m pregnant?

• What should I do if I come into contact with someone who might have chickenpox?

22 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

For a little help along the way, check out our to-dos for 22 weeks pregnant:

□ If you now know your little one’s sex and would like to do a big reveal to family and friends, start organizing your gender reveal party.

□ Start researching your options for where you’d like to give birth, by finding out what’s available locally. Whether you opt to have your baby in hospital, at home or in a birthing centre staffed by midwives, your decision is likely to be based on many different factors. Talk to your midwife and doctor about the pros and cons of the various birth locations, and how they fit in with your needs and circumstances.

□ If you’d like to, write a birth plan. This is basically a record of your preferences and choices for how you’d like things to take place during labour and after your baby’s birth. It could include where you want to give birth, what kind of pain relief you’d prefer and anything else that you feel is important. Your midwife can help you compile your birth plan. Keep in mind that you’ll need to be flexible about your plan as it’s impossible to predict how any birth will turn out. Plus, it’s also possible you might change your preferences on the day.

_{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 National Health Service (NHS). 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.}