GUIDE
Published on ·Updated on
Your baby's movements are stronger and more regular now, and their bone marrow is beginning to produce blood cells.
At the size of a carrot, your baby has fully formed eyebrows and eyelids, and their kicks are getting hard to miss.
Be prepared from day one
Your baby is about the size of a carrot — roughly 10.5 inches long (head to heel) and weighing around 12-13 ounces. Nearly a pound already.
Movements are becoming noticeably stronger and more regular this week. Your baby has enough room to do full somersaults, and you may feel kicks, punches, rolls, and stretches throughout the day. Some parents notice that their baby has active periods and quiet periods — early sleep-wake cycles are developing.
A major milestone this week: your baby's bone marrow is beginning to produce blood cells. Until now, the liver and spleen were doing most of this work. This transition marks an important step in your baby's blood system maturing. The bone marrow will gradually take over as the primary blood cell factory, a role it will maintain for life.
Your baby's eyebrows and eyelids are now fully formed, giving the face a more recognizable, human appearance. The eyelids are still fused shut — they will not open until around week 26 — but the structures are in place. Fine lanugo hair covers the body, and the skin, while still thin, is becoming less translucent.
Since last week's anatomy scan, you may have a much clearer picture of your baby's development — and that makes these weekly changes feel even more real.
You are solidly into the second half of pregnancy now, and your body is making sure you know it. Your belly is growing steadily, and the changes that come with it — back pain, heartburn, and the occasional surprise contraction — are becoming part of daily life.
If you have not experienced Braxton Hicks contractions yet, they may start around now. These are practice contractions — your uterus tightening for 30-60 seconds and then relaxing. They are usually painless, though they can feel strange. Dehydration, a full bladder, and physical activity can trigger them. They are normal, but if they become regular, painful, or frequent, contact your provider.
Stretch marks may be more visible as your skin stretches to accommodate your growing baby. They often appear as pink, red, or purple lines on the belly, breasts, hips, or thighs. They are largely determined by genetics and skin elasticity, and while creams and oils cannot prevent them, keeping your skin moisturized can help with itching.
Varicose veins — swollen, bluish veins usually in the legs — can appear or worsen as your blood volume increases and your uterus puts pressure on the veins that return blood from your lower body. Elevating your legs, avoiding prolonged standing, and wearing compression stockings can help. Round ligament pain may still be present as well.
Every pregnancy is different. If any symptom feels unusual or severe, talk to your provider.
This week is about staying active, staying informed, and starting to plan for the months ahead.
If your anatomy scan was last week or this week, discuss the results with your provider. Most scans come back perfectly normal. If anything needs monitoring or follow-up, your provider will explain next steps and timing.
You may start feeling occasional tightening in your abdomen — these are Braxton Hicks contractions, your body's way of practicing for labor. They are usually painless, irregular, and go away with position changes or hydration. Knowing what they feel like now will help you distinguish them from real contractions later.
Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are excellent at this stage. Exercise helps with back pain, improves sleep, boosts your mood, and can make labor and recovery easier. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, as recommended by ACOG.
If you plan to have a baby shower, now is a good time to start researching what you actually need versus what is marketing hype. Focus on the essentials: a safe sleep space, car seat, diapers, and feeding supplies. Everything else is optional.
When in doubt, call your provider. It is always better to check on something that turns out to be normal than to ignore something that is not.
At 22 weeks, your baby will be the size of a coconut and will look more like a miniature newborn with defined lips, eyelids, and eyebrows. The sense of touch continues to develop, and Braxton Hicks contractions may become more noticeable.
If back pain is becoming a regular issue, there are effective strategies to manage it through the rest of your pregnancy.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
