At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is more than 10.9 inches in length from head to heel. That's almost 11 inches long! He or she weighs over 15 ounces by this stage in fetal development. Your baby is comparable in length to a Japanese eggplant!
Your baby is becoming less transparent as the weeks pass by. At 22 weeks pregnant, fat continues to be deposited underneath the skin. Your baby requires fat for his or her brain and nerve development. Each nerve cell in your little one's body is insulated with a layer of fat, and fat enhances the connection between nerve cells.
At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby's facial features are getting more distinct. The nasal bridge isn't completely formed yet, so your little one has a "button nose." The eyelids, eyebrows, and lips can be distinguished at this stage of fetal development. Your baby's eyes have developed (and are hidden underneath the eyelids), but the irises don't have any pigment yet. The eyebrows have already developed.
Fun Fact: Your baby's eyes have been fused shut since the first trimester. They will open again for the first time when you're 28 weeks pregnant.
Lanugo (fine, downy hair) covers your baby's body at 22 weeks pregnant. This downy hair helps hold a white, creamy substance called vernix caseosa on the skin. Vernix protects your baby's skin from being too wrinkled from the amniotic fluid surrounding him or her.
Each bone in your infant's body has bone marrow at 22 weeks pregnant. His or her bone marrow is able to produce red blood cells.
At 22 weeks pregnant, your uterus is approximately 2 centimeters (or almost three-fourths of an inch) above your belly button. Your abdomen is probably still not large enough to be a problem, but you may find that you're clumsier than before. It's not uncommon for your center of gravity to have shifted by this pregnancy week.
Since heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems can be a real nuisance at 22 weeks pregnant, make sure that you eat smaller meals throughout the day since it's easier on your stomach and gives it more time to digest. Even if you find yourself hungry and craving all kinds of food, resist the urge. Don't eat way too much, or eat too fast. This will only leave you feeling bloated and yucky afterwards.
Helpful Tip: Have you considered taking a "babymoon" with your partner or husband? Why not go on an intimate vacation with your love at 22 weeks pregnant? You aren't too huge yet, and travel shouldn't be a problem. Once you hit the final trimester, you may not have the energy, and your large belly may make leaving home difficult.
At 22 weeks pregnant, make sure you schedule in "bonding with baby" time. Every day, spend a few minutes – or even an hour or two – just talking to baby and rubbing your stomach. While you're doing this, why not slather on some lotion and rub it into your belly? Lotioning in a circular motion can relieve some skin itchiness, and it can sometimes help prevent stretch marks (or at least, helps it from getting worse.) Plus, your baby may get some comfort from your belly rubs.
Use this trimester to spend some much-needed valuable time with your significant other. As your pregnancy moves into the third trimester, your bountiful belly may limit what you can do. After delivery, there will be very little one-on-one time, or peace and quiet to spend time together.
At 22 weeks pregnant, you are two weeks past the halfway mark. For most women, their bellies are getting nice and round. Many people will start asking to rub your bump. Not all women react positively to this change; some pregnant women are quite protective of their growing bump. If you don't want people to touch you, consider wearing a T-shirt that says "Hands off" or even just telling people politely that you don't want them to touch your belly.
Your glowing complexion may entice people to want to touch your bump at 22 weeks pregnant. There is something factual to the proverbial "pregnancy glow." The increased volume of blood circulating through your body can result in a fuller face and flushed cheeks.
Unfortunately, not every pregnant woman will experience that pregnancy "glow." On the contrary, their skin can turn for the worse.
Skin problems at 22 weeks pregnant include oily skin, dry skin, and acne. Pregnancy hormones can turn your once beautiful skin into your mirror's worst nightmare. Some moms-to-be develop oily, greasy skin. This can lead to pimples and acne breakouts. You might feel like you're 17 again!
Helpful Tip: If you're struggling with oily skin and pimples, dermatologists recommend that you wash your face several times a day with a gentle cleanser. Using oil-free makeup will also help.
Some pregnant women don't get oily skin; they find that their skin dries out. Dry skin is a common pregnancy skin change at 22 weeks pregnant. To keep your dry skin under control, make sure that you moisturize daily. It's also important that you lotion immediately after bathing or showering, since this can trap the extra water left on the skin, and slows its evaporation so that your dry skin doesn't get worse.
In addition to all the skin changes you might experience, you may start to feel like you're losing your marbles.
Forgetfulness is a common pregnancy symptom at 22 weeks pregnant. Sometimes called "pregnancy brain" or "mommy brain," being forgetful is normal. It's common for pregnant women to miss important appointments and tasks, and even misplace common items. Experts don't fully understand what causes forgetfulness in pregnancy, but hormonal changes are thought to play a role.
Make sure that you write down any important appointments or dates in a notebook, or set alerts on your phone, so that you don't forget anything important.
By pregnancy week 22 you might also start noticing that your belly button is starting to protrude. Most women's navel will protrude or pop out after about the 20th week of pregnancy. Don't worry, your belly button should return to normal after delivery.
Can you believe how much weight you've gained? Your weight gain at 22 weeks pregnant might be between 12 and 15 pounds, for the average-sized woman. From this point onward, you should probably only gain one pound with each week that passes.
By the time you deliver, your total weight gain should be roughly 25 to 35 pounds (for the normal size woman). Overweight women should aim to gain less (15 to 25 pounds), and women who started pregnancy underweight should gain more (28 to 40 pounds).
As your abdomen continues to grow at 22 weeks of pregnancy, you may start developing stretch marks. Some women start developing stretch marks early in their pregnancy, whereas others develop them only after the third trimester. An even smaller number of women never get any!
Typically more than half of all women will get stretch marks during their pregnancy. They may form on the breasts, inner thighs, waist and abdomen as your body expands to accommodate your growing baby. Typically stretch marks vary in color from white, to pink or purple and even dark brown depending on your skin color. Many women believe that religious application of lotion will prevent stretch marks from forming, but even the most enthusiastic moisturizer may find herself laden with stretch marks.
Whether or not you develop stretch marks is largely genetically determined. Check out your mother's belly. If she has a lot of stretch marks, chances are you will too. The good news is that most stretch marks do fade in the months following delivery. Even the most intense stretch marks become lighter after birth. Many women wear their stretch marks with pride, as a sign of the amazing feat they accomplished creating and carrying life for nine months.
Lotion and other moisturizers may not help with stretch marks, but they certainly will help your skin feel supple and help eliminate any itching you may be experiencing during pregnancy. Many women simply enjoy the process of applying lotions to their body during pregnancy.
Low back pain is quite common during pregnancy particularly during 22 weeks pregnant and beyond. The causes of pregnancy related back pain are numerous and include your expanding uterus and postural changes that occur during pregnancy. Changes in weight and hormonal distribution can also influence back pain.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to alleviate back pain naturally when pregnant. First and foremost, you must pay attention to your posture. Pregnant women often have a tendency to adopt poor posture due to their expanding bellies. One thing you should avoid is slouching when sitting. If necessary, consider investing in a lumbar cushion to help support your lower back when sitting.
You can improve your posture by developing strong pelvic and abdominal muscles. Pelvic tilts are beneficial for eliminating or reducing back pain. To perform a pelvic tilt:
Simply lie flat on your back with your knees bent in a 90-degree angle.
Keep your feet flat on the floor.
Slowly rock back and push your pelvis and lower back into the floor so that your back is pressed flat against the floor.
Tighten your stomach and buttocks while doing so.
Release the position after holding for 5 seconds.
Repeat 10 times several times per day.
Tips to Relieve Your Pregnancy Back Pain
You can also reduce back pain by sleeping on your side and using a maternity pillow between your legs for support at night. Some women find a second pillow to hold on to is helpful during pregnancy.
A maternity support belt can also help eliminate or reduce back pain during pregnancy. A maternity support belt will help provide support for your abdomen and alleviate stress on your back when standing or walking for long periods of time.
Daily exercise can also improve back pain. Be sure to take your time and stretch out your muscles. Many pregnant women also find chiropractic care beneficial. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help maintain the structure of the spinal column, discs, and related nerves. Your chiropractor can adjust your body to relieve pressure on the lower back. Chiropractic care can also help address an increased back curve and postural changes typically associated with pregnancy. Your chiropractor can help establish balance and alignment with the pelvis.
When seeking out chiropractic care, be sure to check out your chiropractor's credentials and make sure they are board certified and have experience working with pregnant women. A chiropractor trained in pregnancy will teach you exercises and stretches that are beneficial for reducing back pain during pregnancy. Regular chiropractic care may also reduce the time you are in labor and delivery and help you return to your pre-pregnant shape more quickly after delivery.
The best thing you can do if you are experiencing low back pain during pregnancy is talk with your healthcare provider, who can offer suggestions for improving your pain, and may even be able to refer you to a chiropractor or physical therapist to assist you during your pregnancy.
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At 22 weeks pregnant, your uterus is approximately 2 centimeters (or almost three-fourths of an inch) above your belly button. Your abdomen is probably still not large enough to be a problem, but you may find that you're clumsier than before. It's not uncommon for your center of gravity to have shifted by this pregnancy week. 
At 22 weeks pregnant, you are two weeks past the halfway mark. For most women, their bellies are getting nice and round. Many people will start asking to rub your bump. Not all women react positively to this change; some pregnant women are quite protective of their growing bump. If you don't want people to touch you, consider wearing a T-shirt that says "Hands off" or even just telling people politely that you don't want them to touch your belly. 
As your abdomen continues to grow at 22 weeks of pregnancy, you may start developing stretch marks. Some women start developing 
Daily exercise can also improve back pain. Be sure to take your time and stretch out your muscles. Many pregnant women also find chiropractic care beneficial. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help maintain the structure of the spinal column, discs, and related nerves. Your chiropractor can adjust your body to relieve pressure on the lower back. Chiropractic care can also help address an increased back curve and postural changes typically associated with pregnancy. Your chiropractor can help establish balance and alignment with the pelvis. 