If you shine a flashlight on your stomach, your baby might literally reach out or turn their head toward it. At 22 weeks, the eyes are fully formed, though the irises still lack pigment. The complex network connecting the eyes to the brain is highly active, allowing the fetus to perceive the difference between light and dark across the uterine wall.
🍼 What's Happening With Your Baby
Now the size of a papaya, your baby weighs nearly a pound (roughly 430 grams).
The pancreas, crucial for hormone production, is developing steadily. Lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, giving the fetus a highly refined, recognizable face on a 3D ultrasound.
The grip is getting stronger. The baby frequently grasps the umbilical cord, but don't worry—the cord is thick and filled with a firm, jelly-like substance (Wharton's jelly) that prevents the baby from squeezing it shut.
🤰 What You're Feeling This Week
As your uterus expands, it pushes your diaphragm upward, leaving less room for your lungs to expand. You might find yourself feeling short of breath after simple tasks like walking up a flight of stairs.
Your belly button is likely protruding now. The pressure from the inside is turning your 'innie' into an 'outie', a temporary change that will revert after birth.
You may start experiencing noticeable Braxton Hicks contractions. These practice contractions feel like your stomach is suddenly turning into a hard basketball for a minute before relaxing. They are usually painless but can be surprising.
Approaching Viability
Week 22 is a major psychological milestone. In many modern medical centers, 22 to 24 weeks is considered the 'edge of viability'—the earliest point at which a premature baby has a chance of survival outside the womb with intensive medical intervention.
✅ What To Do This Week
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Increase your iron intake — Your blood volume is peaking, and the baby is aggressively storing iron for use after birth. Eat lean red meat, spinach, and fortified cereals to prevent anemia.
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Start doing kick counts — While your doctor may not officially require them until week 28, paying attention to the baby's active times helps you learn their unique rhythm.
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Don't ignore regular, painful contractions — While Braxton Hicks are normal, if you experience contractions that become regular, increasingly painful, or are accompanied by a lower backache, call your doctor immediately to rule out preterm labor.
"The movements are no longer just flutters; they are purposeful. A foot pressing against your ribs, a hand grazing your bladder. You are sharing your physical space completely."
— A Note From Your Body, Week 22