22 Weeks Pregnant
At 22 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a papaya. You are in the second trimester, and this week brings its own small changes — for your baby and for you.
- Size of
- a papaya
- Length
- 27.8 cm
- Weight
- 430 g
- Trimester
- 2
Your baby this week
- Your baby can grip the umbilical cord and touch the surroundings.
- Eyebrows and eyelashes are now visible.
- Hearing sharpens; loud sounds may make your baby startle.
Your body this week
- Braxton Hicks tightenings may begin — practice contractions, not labour.
- Breasts feel fuller and the areolas may darken.
Common symptoms
- Swollen feet and ankles by the end of the day
- Haemorrhoids, made worse by constipation
- Broken sleep and difficulty getting comfortable
What to expect
The middle months are usually the steadiest part of pregnancy. Energy often returns, the bump becomes visible, and appointments settle into a routine. With 18 weeks to go, this is a good time to plan ahead while you feel well.
Tips for this week
- Put your feet up when you can to ease swelling.
- Add fibre — vegetables, oats, pulses — to keep digestion moving.
- Start getting used to sleeping on your side, ideally the left.
Frequently asked questions
How many months is 22 weeks pregnant?
22 weeks is about 5 months. Pregnancy months do not divide evenly into weeks, so counting in weeks is more precise.
How big is my baby at 22 weeks?
At 22 weeks your baby is around a papaya — roughly 27.8 cm long and about 430 g. Healthy babies vary a lot around these averages.
What symptoms are normal at 22 weeks pregnant?
The most common ones this week are listed above. Contact your doctor or midwife about heavy bleeding, severe pain, a fever, or any change in your baby’s movements.
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, so week 1 begins before conception.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife about your own pregnancy.