This is the week! At 22 weeks pregnant, most moms can feel their baby’s movement! If you haven’t had this exciting experience yet, expect it any time now!

The flip side is that your baby is also becoming more aware (in a sense) of you! All of the baby’s senses are developing, and you might find that he reacts noticeably to sounds and other stimuli!

Your Baby’s Development At 22 Weeks

Your baby is almost the length of a Subway sandwich (average baby size at 22 weeks is around 11.5 inches) and weighs about a pound (1.1lb on average).

Your baby’s hearing and taste are developing well, and you may notice a change in movement under certain conditions, such as when you speak or sing to your baby or after a meal. Some parents notice that their baby seems to settle in for a nap when they’re walking or swaying and practices their gymnastic skills when mom lies down for a rest.

Your baby now has all of his organs and looks pretty similar to a fully developed infant, though there are still some significant visible differences, including that baby’s skin is still translucent and that he still has quite a bit of weight to put on!

Less visible but very important, your baby’s lungs are not yet ready for the breathing world, but they’re beginning to practice!

Quick Overview: Baby's Development At 22 Weeks Pregnant:

• Baby’s size: At 22 weeks, your baby is about 11.5 inches long and weighs around 1.1 lb.
• Developing senses: Hearing and taste improve, movement may change in response to your voice, singing, or meals.
• Movement patterns: Baby may settle down when mom walks or sways but become more active when laying down.
• Organ development: All organs are present, and the baby looks similar to a newborn, though its skin is still translucent and it needs to gain more weight.
• Lung development: Lungs are not ready for breathing but are beginning to practice.

Mother’s Symptoms At 22 Weeks

At 22 weeks pregnant, we have many symptoms to report. Below, you’ll find out what those symptoms are and some advice on how to deal with them. We’ve also included a recap list of symptoms for quick access.

Stretch Marks, Spider Veins, & Other Skin Changes

By now, you’re probably getting used to stretch marks. Whether you hate or embrace them, they can be uncomfortable, causing an itching or pulling sensation. A mild lotion or moisturizer may help and reduce scarring.

Many moms who had new acne breakouts in the first trimester now revel in their clear, glowing skin, but if you’re one of the unlucky ones still dealing with acne, rashes, and other skin annoyances, talk to your doctor before trying new treatments! Many are not safe during pregnancy.

You may now be seeing spider veins as well. Thanks to the extra blood volume adding additional pressure to your veins, you may see some veins more visible near the surface of your skin. They may appear in shades of red, purple, or blue and have a “spidery” appearance- branching out from a central point, but not always.

These usually go away after delivery and aren’t harmful, but do speak to your doctor if you experience any pain or discomfort associated with them.

Breast Changes

Whether you’re planning to breastfeed or not, your breasts are undergoing changes as they prepare to nurture a baby. They grow bigger and heavier and may develop unusual lumps or areas that are firmer than usual.

If you notice a lump, don’t panic! These are often no cause for alarm. The Breast Center explains that you should be alert for certain specific symptoms: lumps that appear suddenly, lumps that change or grow larger, lumps with irregular shape, and painful lumps. Your doctor should check these.

Otherwise, lumps can be caused by clogged milk ducts (yes, even before your baby is born!) and hormonal changes, among other things. Still, if you’re concerned, speak to your doctor.

Other typical changes include larger, darker nipples and areolae, visible veins under the skin, and leaking colostrum. Some women will experience cracking or bleeding nipples, which you should report to your doctor so you can be provided with prescription meds. (Now is no time to end up with an infection!)

Pain, Cramps, & Contractions

What is that? Is it a cramp or a contraction? Is this labor or round ligament pain? Is it just a headache, or should you call your doctor?

Pregnancy can be a very anxious time, and it’s sometimes hard to tell what sort of pain you’re feeling. The basic rule of thumb is that anything that doesn’t get better if you take medicine, hydrate, and change position is worth a call to your doctor. It’s also okay to check in to give yourself peace of mind!

Round ligament pain is widespread in pregnancy. It can be excruciating for some women and milder for others. It may feel like a stabbing or pulling pain in your lower abdomen and extending into your groin. This is normal, and a change of position will usually stop it.

Lower back pain is also normal but may be a sign of early labor if it’s persistent. Try rest, warm compresses or showers, and/or OTC pain meds—but if it continues, check in with your doctor.

Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes called practice labor, can feel like a tightening or a mesntrual cramp, but are usually not described as painful. Unlike actual labor, they tend to be more random than consistent and stop when you change position.

Labor contractions grow more intense and frequent over time and are described in various ways. They may feel like back pain, a fist squeezing your organs, downward pressure, or a need to pass waste. They do not stop when you change positions. If you think you may be in labor, call your doctor.

Bleeding & Discharge

Throughout pregnancy, a whitish vaginal discharge is normal. There may be a tinge of blood in it right after an internal exam, but otherwise, any blood this late in pregnancy should be reported to your doctor, as it could be a sign of preterm labor.

Other changes in discharge should also be reported to your doctor, including a change in color or a strong odor, which could indicate an infection. Later in pregnancy, you may lose pieces of mucous plug, but signs of it now should also be mentioned to your doctor. It may mean that your cervix is thinning or dilating.

A trickle or gush of watery, clear liquid could be amniotic fluid, and if you see this, you should seek medical care.

Dizziness, Shortness Of Breath, Fatigue

With all the hard work your body, particularly your lungs and heart, are doing, it’s no wonder you might get tired faster than usual. You may feel slightly out of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy.

If this happens, stop and rest as needed. However, if it is ongoing, you should let your doctor know. If you pass out or faint, or if you have any of these symptoms along with chest pain, you should seek immediate medical care.

Sleep Disturbances

The baby isn’t even here yet, and he’s already disturbing your rest in several ways!

Heartburn and indigestion can keep you awake at night. Over-the-counter meds like Tums and Rolaids can help, although you need to check the ingredients and avoid any meds with aspirin, magnesium trisilicate, or sodium bicarbonate. Most doctors will advise minimizing the sleep disruption by ensuring your last meal of the day is a few hours before bed, avoiding ‘trigger’ foods, and sleeping in a more reclined position rather than flat.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms may also crop up during pregnancy. Since most meds for this aren’t considered safe during pregnancy, your doctor may advise you to try warm baths, massage, exercise, or to take supplements for iron or folate.

Weight shifts and bodily changes may make it hard to get comfortable. A pregnancy pillow or a few extra pillows placed conveniently for support can help. Sleeping on your left side is recommended.

You may find that you have insomnia even after treating these conditions. It can be attributed to anxiety about the future, hormone changes, and increases in heart rate, among other causes. It’s usually recommended to start with non-medical methods to deal with this: turn off screens before bedtime, keep your sleeping area comfortable, and stick to a schedule and a bedtime routine.

If a lack of sleep is causing daytime problems, your doctor may discuss whether the benefits of medication outweigh the risks.

Swelling & Other Potential Signs Of Preeclampsia

You may retain water and have some swelling or bloating during pregnancy, but it shouldn’t be severe.

Severe swelling that comes on suddenly or affects the face may be a sign of a serious complication called preeclampsia, and you should seek medical attention. Swelling that is more prominent on one side of the body than the other is also a red flag for preeclampsia.

Headaches are common in pregnancy, but if a headache is severe or doesn’t ease with treatment, it can be a sign of preeclampsia.

Any vision changes may be a sign of preeclampsia.

Nausea and vomiting after the morning sickness phase, especially if severe, can be a sign of preeclampsia.

22 Week Pregnancy Symptoms Quick Recap:

• Stretch marks: These may cause an itching or pulling sensation.
• Acne and rashes: Some women still experience breakouts, rashes, and other skin issues.
• Spider veins: Visible veins due to extra blood volume, appearing red, purple, or blue.
• Breast growth: Breasts become larger and heavier, sometimes developing lumps or firm areas.
• Nipple changes: Darker, larger areolae, visible veins, and leaking colostrum.
• Cracked or bleeding nipples: These can occur in some cases.
• Round ligament pain: Sharp or pulling pain in the lower abdomen or groin.
• Lower back pain: This can be expected but may indicate early labor if persistent.
• Braxton Hicks contractions: Tightening or mild cramping, typically not painful and stop with movement.
• Labor contractions: Grow more substantial and more frequent, do not stop with position changes, and may feel like back pain, pressure, or intense cramps.
• Vaginal discharge: Whitish discharge is normal, but odor, color change, or blood should be reported.
• Mucus plug loss: Can indicate cervix thinning or dilation.
• Leaking fluid: Trickle or gush of clear fluid may be amniotic fluid.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: Can occur due to increased strain on the heart and lungs.
• Shortness of breath and fatigue: May happen as the body works harder.
• Fainting or chest pain: Requires immediate medical attention.
• Heartburn and indigestion: Can disrupt sleep.
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS): Uncomfortable leg sensations.
• Discomfort while sleeping: Due to weight shifts and bodily changes.
• Insomnia: Can result from hormonal changes, anxiety, or increased heart rate.
• Swelling: Some water retention is normal, but severe or sudden swelling (especially in the face or one-sided swelling) may indicate preeclampsia.
• Severe headaches: Could be a sign of preeclampsia if persistent.
• Vision changes: This may indicate preeclampsia.
• Nausea and vomiting (after morning sickness phase): These can be warning signs of preeclampsia.

When To Contact Your Doctor

Preeclampsia Warning Signs

If you have any of the symptoms of preeclampsia as listed above, call your doctor immediately.

Bleeding & Other Signs Of Labor

By this point in your pregnancy, any bleeding may be a sign of early labor or another concern, so call your doctor.

Seek medical care if you have signs of preterm labor, including but not limited to contractions (labor contractions increase in intensity and frequency, and do not stop with a change of position); rupture of membranes (you may notice a trickle or gush of clear watery amniotic fluid, with or without a bloody tinge); downward pressure and an urge to push.

Dehydration Or Vomiting

It’s easy to get a little bit dehydrated during pregnancy, but being dehydrated can cause complications, like too little amniotic fluid, and put your pregnancy at risk. If you go several hours unable to pass urine, call your doctor.

Vomiting can be a sign of early labor in some cases or of preeclampsia, but even if you’re vomiting due to a stomach bug, it can lead to dehydration. Check in with your doctor if you’ve vomited a few times and/or are unable to keep liquids down.

What Should Mom Be Doing At 22 Weeks?

Let your doctor know if you haven’t felt your baby moving yet. Several reasons this can happen include placenta position and simply not recognizing the sensation of movement (which can feel like little air bubbles in your abdomen). However, if you haven’t felt movement by week 22, your doctor may want you to undergo an extra ultrasound to ensure everything is okay.

Take some time to relax and focus on self-care. Swimming is good exercise and can feel like taking a weight off (almost literally) during pregnancy. A date night with your spouse while you can have one without hiring a sitter is nice.

You may want to get your nursery or other baby areas ready now because you may be more tired in the third trimester and shouldn’t lift as much.

Quick Recap Of What Mom Should Be Doing At 22 Weeks Pregnant:

• No fetal movement? This could be due to placenta position or not recognizing the sensation, but your doctor may recommend an ultrasound to check.
• Self-care: Relaxation, swimming for exercise, and enjoying a date night before the baby arrives.
• Preparing the nursery: Setting up baby areas now can help, as lifting and fatigue may be more challenging in the third trimester.

What To Look Forward To

By now, you’ve passed a few of the most exciting milestones of mid-pregnancy: the anatomy ultrasound and feeling your baby move.

There are still some exciting milestones and events ahead, though. These include birthing classes, a baby shower, and hearing your baby’s heartbeat at every prenatal appointment going forward.

After the next prenatal visit or two, your doctor will start seeing you twice a month instead of once, a firm reminder that your baby will soon be in your arms!

In the meantime, the baby’s movements will only get busier! By the end, you may be able to watch your belly move with your baby!