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Second trimester

22 weeks pregnant

At 22 weeks you are well into the second trimester. Your baby's lungs are developing, fine hair called lanugo covers the body, and many people are now feeling regular flutters or kicks. Common changes include stretch marks, backache and tiredness.

This page covers 22 weeks 0 days to 22 weeks 6 days (22+0 to 22+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 22.

Botanical illustration of a papaya

About the size of a papaya

Typical estimated weight 480 g (1 lb 1 oz) at 22+0, about 555 g (1 lb 4 oz) by 22+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • The lungs are still developing, and your baby is making breathing-like movements in the womb as practice.2
  • Your baby swallows small amounts of amniotic fluid. This mostly stays in the bowel and forms meconium, the dark, sticky first poo passed after birth.2,3
  • By around 22 weeks, fine, soft hair called lanugo covers the whole body, and eyebrows and eyelashes are appearing.3
  • Your baby can hear by now, and may pick up sounds from inside your body such as your heartbeat, your breathing and your stomach rumbling.3,4
  • Around this stage the baby's grip is getting stronger, and arm and leg movements are becoming more coordinated.4

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • Stretch marks may start to show as lines or streaks, often on the tummy, upper thighs or breasts. They are common and harmless, and usually fade after the birth, though not everyone gets them.2
  • Hemorrhoids (piles), which are swellings in or around the bottom, are common in pregnancy and can cause itching, soreness or pain when passing a stool.2
  • Other common symptoms around now include tiredness and sleep problems, backache, round ligament pain at the sides of the bump, swollen or bleeding gums, headaches, heartburn, constipation and leg cramps.2
  • Many people feel their baby's movements by now, often as swirling or fluttering at first. In a first pregnancy, movements may not be noticed until after 20 weeks.5
  • Contact your midwife or doctor straight away if you have vaginal bleeding or severe pain.2

Care around this week

  • The anatomy ultrasound is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks in the US. In the UK, the 20-week screening scan is usually done between 18 and 21 weeks. If you have not had yours, or are waiting on results or a follow-up scan, this is a good time to ask about it.6,7
  • Screening for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks, so it may come up at your next visit. In the UK, the whooping cough vaccine is usually offered around 20 weeks and can be given from 16 weeks, ideally before 32 weeks.8,9
  • Once you are feeling regular movements, get to know your baby's usual pattern. If movements slow down, stop or change, contact your midwife, provider or maternity unit straight away rather than waiting for your next appointment.5

Questions to ask your provider

  • Were there any findings from my anatomy scan that need a follow-up?
  • When will I be offered the gestational diabetes test, and do I need to fast for it?
  • What should I do if I'm not sure whether I'm feeling my baby move?
  • What can I safely use for hemorrhoids or heartburn?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.10,11,12,13

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.12,14
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.12,13,15,16
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.5,12
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.10,12,13
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.10,12,13
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.10,12,17
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.16,17
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.12,13,16
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.12,13
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.18
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.12,19
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.12,20

Questions about 22 weeks

Can my baby hear me at 22 weeks?

Yes. Babies can hear from around 19 to 21 weeks, and by about 22 weeks they can pick up sounds such as your heartbeat and breathing. Around this stage, babies may respond to sounds by moving or with a change in heart rate.3,4

Should I feel my baby move at 22 weeks?

Many people do, but first movements usually start anywhere between 16 and 24 weeks, and in a first pregnancy they may not be noticed until after 20 weeks. If you have not felt any movement by 24 weeks, tell your midwife or provider.5

Are stretch marks normal at 22 weeks?

Yes, stretch marks often begin to appear around this time. They are common and harmless, and they usually fade after the birth.2

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. 22 weeks pregnant guideNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Fetal development: stages of growthCleveland Clinic
  5. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  6. Ultrasound ExamsAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  7. 20-week screening scanNHS (England)
  8. Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes MellitusAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2018
  9. Vaccinations in pregnancyNHS (England)
  10. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  11. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  12. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  13. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  14. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  15. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  16. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  17. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  18. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  20. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy