Our Baby Journey22 weeks pregnant
22 weeks pregnant is about 5 months. It falls in the fifth month of pregnancy. You are in week 22 of 40, in the second trimester. Here is what is happening with your baby and your body this week.
Your baby is about the size of a papaya.
Length: about 27.8 cm (10.9 in) from crown to heel · Weight: about 430 g (15.2 oz)
Your baby at 22 weeks
The baby's lips, eyebrows, and eyelids are more defined. The grip is getting stronger.
Your baby is starting to look more like a newborn, though the skin is still thin, wrinkled, and somewhat see-through because there is little fat underneath yet. Fine lanugo hair covers much of the body, and a creamy coating called vernix protects the skin from the amniotic fluid.
Your baby's senses are developing quickly. The parts of the brain and nerves that process touch are maturing, and your baby spends time exploring by touching their face, grasping the umbilical cord, and sucking a thumb. The eyes have formed, although the iris does not yet have its final color, and the eyelids remain closed.
In the pancreas, cells that produce insulin are developing, an important step for regulating blood sugar after birth. Tooth buds for the first baby teeth are already in place below the gums.
Your body at 22 weeks
Your belly button may start to pop out. You may notice changes in skin pigmentation.
As your uterus grows upward and outward, the skin across your belly stretches and can feel tight or itchy. Pregnancy hormones stimulate pigment-producing cells, so you may see a dark vertical line down the middle of your belly (linea nigra), darker nipples, or patches of darker skin on the face, often called melasma or the mask of pregnancy. These changes usually fade after birth. Your belly button may flatten or pop outward as the uterus presses from behind. Some people also notice that their feet seem to get wider, partly from swelling and loosened ligaments.
Your belly at week 22
In month 5 (weeks 18–22) your bump is usually clearly visible. At about 20 weeks the top of the uterus reaches your belly button. From around 20 weeks, your fundal height (the distance in centimeters from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus) roughly matches the number of weeks you are pregnant, give or take about 2 cm.
Belly size and shape vary a lot depending on your build, whether this is your first pregnancy, your baby's position and the amount of amniotic fluid. At checkups your doctor or midwife may measure your fundal height to track your baby's growth, and may arrange an ultrasound if the measurement is quite different from what they expect.
Symptoms at 22 weeks pregnant
- An outie or flattened belly button
- Linea nigra or darker patches of skin on the face
- Itchy, stretched skin on the belly
- Feet that feel swollen or a little larger
- Hemorrhoids or constipation
- Occasional dizziness when standing up quickly
Checkups around week 22
There is often no specific test this week. Routine prenatal visits commonly continue about every four weeks at this stage, with checks of blood pressure, urine, and the size of your growing belly. Schedules vary by country and by your individual needs.
Tips for week 22
- Use sunscreen — pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Plan your parental leave and finances.
- Keep up regular prenatal appointments.
Common symptoms in the second trimester
The second trimester runs from week 14 to week 27. Nausea often eases, energy returns, your bump starts to show, and you will begin to feel your baby move. Not everyone has every symptom, and it is normal for symptoms to come and go. Common ones include:
- A growing bump and weight gain
- First baby movements, usually felt between weeks 16 and 25
- Round ligament pain (sharp pains low in the belly or groin)
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Back ache
- A blocked nose or nosebleeds
- Leg cramps
- Skin changes such as a dark line on the belly or darker patches on the face
Read the full second trimester guide.
When to call your doctor or midwife
Contact your healthcare provider or maternity unit straight away, or get emergency care, if you have:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
- A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
- Fluid leaking from your vagina
- Severe vomiting where you cannot keep fluids down
- Your baby moving less than usual or a change in their pattern of movements (later in pregnancy)
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Feeling very low, anxious, or having thoughts of harming yourself
Have a question about week 22?
Ask our AI pregnancy assistant about symptoms, nutrition, scans or anything else on your mind this week.
Frequently asked questions
How big is my baby at 22 weeks pregnant?
At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a papaya. That is about 27.8 cm (10.9 in) from crown to heel, weighing about 430 g (15.2 oz).
How big is my belly at week 22 of pregnancy?
In month 5 (weeks 18–22) your bump is usually clearly visible. At about 20 weeks the top of the uterus reaches your belly button. From around 20 weeks, your fundal height (the distance in centimeters from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus) roughly matches the number of weeks you are pregnant, give or take about 2 cm. Bump size, shape and when you start to show vary a lot from person to person.
Can a baby survive if born at 22 weeks?
Birth at 22 weeks is at the very edge of viability. Some babies born at this stage survive with intensive neonatal care, but the chance of survival is low and the risk of serious long-term health problems is high. Outcomes depend on many factors, including the baby's weight, whether steroids were given before birth, and the level of care available. Decisions about care at this stage are made individually with the medical team and the family.
Is it normal for my belly to itch at 22 weeks?
Mild itching on the belly is common as the skin stretches, and moisturizer, loose clothing, and cool showers often help. However, intense itching, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and often worse at night, can be a sign of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. If you have this kind of itching, contact your doctor or midwife so they can arrange a blood test.
Why is my belly button popping out?
Your growing uterus pushes the abdominal wall forward, which can flatten your belly button or turn it into an outie. This is harmless and usually returns to normal in the months after birth. If you notice a soft bulge around the belly button that is painful, gets larger, or does not go back in, mention it to your provider, as it can occasionally be a small umbilical hernia.
What trimester is 22 weeks pregnant?
Week 22 is in the second trimester, which covers weeks 14 to 27.
How many months is 22 weeks pregnant?
22 weeks pregnant is about 5 months. It falls in the fifth month of pregnancy. The fifth month covers weeks 18 to 22. Pregnancy is about 40 weeks, or roughly 9 months, counted from the first day of your last period.
This page is general educational information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different, and baby sizes are approximate averages. Last updated 2026-11-07. See our medical disclaimer.