22 WEEKS PREGNANT
Lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are clearly defined
Baby this week: about 27.8 cm — head to heel · about 430 g
≈ 27.8 cm — about the size of a papaya
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
Your baby this week
- Facial features like the lips and eyelids are now clearly defined
- The pancreas is developing steadily, an important step for hormone production
- Grip strength is developing, and the fetus may grasp the umbilical cord
- Skin still looks wrinkled since fat layers haven't built up yet
Your body this week
- Braxton Hicks contractions — mild, irregular tightening — can occasionally start this early for some
- Backaches may become more frequent as the belly grows and posture shifts
This week's tip: Gentle prenatal stretching or a short walk can help ease general aches, if your provider has given the go-ahead for exercise.
Want the bigger picture — organ development, nutrition, scans and warning signs for this stage? See month 5: The month of first kicks.
Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.