Twenty-second week of pregnancy
At the 22nd week of pregnancy, the bump begins to become bulkier and create some obstacles. Your baby continues to grow rapidly and train for life outside the womb.
Weight and length at 22 weeks
| Month | 5th month |
|---|---|
| Gestational age | from 21+0 to 21+6 |
| Length of the fetus (*) | 26.7cm |
| Weight of the fetus (*) | 398 grams |
| Weight gain (**) | +6.5kg |
| Moms group | July 2023 |
How many months is 22 weeks pregnant?
At the 22nd week of gestation you are at the end of the fifth month of gestation and about to enter the sixth . To know the exact correspondence between months and weeks of gestation you can use our conversion table .
22nd week : frequent symptoms
- Zits
- Clumsiness in movements
- Flat navel
- Leg cramps
- Constipation
- Increased desire
How your body changes
Growing belly
Your baby is growing rapidly and your weight is also increasing as a result . Your baby bump continues to get bigger and soon you’ll start noticing little bumps you didn’t notice before.
You may also feel a little more awkward and awkward , because your center of gravity has changed and your joints are looser , due to hormonal changes.
If you do fall, don’t panic, as amniotic fluid protects your baby from bumps . However, for greater peace of mind, contact your gynecologist or midwife to assess the need for a checkup.
A navel… all new!
The uterus has now passed the navel, which may start to flatten and become more and more protruding as the weeks go by. Don’t worry: everything will go back to the way it was after giving birth . In the meantime, if rubbing on your clothes causes discomfort or irritation, try not to use clothing that is too rough and possibly apply a protective plaster .
Are we talking about sex?
If in the first trimester you experienced a decrease in desire, due to symptoms such as nausea and tiredness or some fear about the good progress of the pregnancy, these days you may want to rediscover sexuality in a tender and sweet way .
In general, sexual intercourse is not to be avoided while pregnant , but it may require a little more care : for example, warn your partner if your nipples have become very sensitive and avoid positions that risk compressing your belly .
In any case, for any doubts or questions about sex during pregnancy , remember that you can always contact your trusted gynecologist or midwife .
How the child grows
It is about 27 centimeters long , the size of a papaya , and weighs about 390 grams .
Hair grows
The eyes are fully developed, but still remain closed, even though your little one is already able to perceive the light filtering through the belly. Taste continues to improve and is now able to distinguish sweet from bitter .
The skin is becoming less transparent, thanks to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat . This week, eyelashes and eyebrows are perfectly formed and hair continues to grow.
Like him…there is no one!
On the fingertips, the fingerprints have taken on their final shape , which will not change over the course of a lifetime. Their design is practically unique (or almost) and is influenced not only by genetic heritage , but also by causal factors , such as the density of the amniotic fluid. If you are expecting identical twins , therefore, their fingerprints will not be the same , although they may be similar.
More and more coordinated
The sense of touch continues to develop and your little one explores his body and his surroundings. His movements are increasingly intentional and coordinated: he sucks his thumb , touches his face and even manages to grab his nose and ears .
When you stroke your belly , you may feel your baby move and reach for your hand . Also, his ears have become very sensitive to noises , which can wake him up and trigger punches and kicks in response.
He still sleeps a lot, but his sleep-wake rhythms are starting to become more regular and as the days go by you will probably learn to recognize them.
Do you know that…
Right now, your little one’s eyelashes , eyebrows and hair are completely white : you’ll need to wait at least one or two weeks for them to start coloring .
For the dad
If you are experiencing strange symptoms, such as nausea , sudden weight gain , mood swings or cravings for certain foods, you may be one of the 10% of men who suffer from Couvade syndrome or empathic male pregnancy. Try to be patient: as for the expectant mother, everything will be resolved after the birth! In the meantime, work together with your partner to follow a healthier diet and practice regular physical activity.
Checks and exams to do
The advice of the 22nd week of pregnancy
- In case of constipation , try to drink more water and eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day (especially kiwis , prunes and legumes , preferably peeled). If you’re taking a supplement, check with your doctor to see if your constipation is caused by too much supplemental iron intake .
- If you haven’t started yet, it’s time to strengthen your pelvic floor . First of all, learn to recognize the pelvic muscles by imagining that they interrupt the flow of urine: the muscles that contract are the ones to be used in the exercises. Now contract your pelvic floor muscles for 5-10 seconds and then relax them for another 5-10 seconds , in repeating sets of about five minutes. This simple exercise, performed three times a day, will help you prepare your muscles for childbirth and counter some typical ailments of the last months of pregnancy, such as urinary leakage and hemorrhoids .
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.