At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a spaghetti squash, and the face is looking distinctly more baby-like — eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are now fully formed. Grip strength is also improving this week, with a stronger enough grasp to touch the ears and umbilical cord.

If your dates feel confusing, remember that gestational age counts from the first day of your last period (LMP), not from conception — so "22 weeks pregnant" usually means about 20 weeks since ovulation. For the full timeline, see our pregnancy week-by-week guide, or find out exactly how your due date is calculated. If you're picking up from last week, catch up on 21 weeks pregnant first.

Diagram comparing a spaghetti squash to a 22 week fetus, showing fully formed eyebrows, eyelids, and lips — At 22 weeks, your baby is about the size of a spaghetti squash, with eyebrows, eyelids, and lips now fully formed.

Key takeaways

Baby is about the size of a spaghetti squash (roughly 27.8 cm, head to heel) and weighs around 430 grams.
Eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are now fully formed.
Grip strength is improving — baby's grasp is strong enough to touch the ears and umbilical cord.

What "22 Weeks Pregnant" Actually Means

Using standard gestational dating, week 22 starts about 20 weeks after ovulation, placing you right past the midpoint of the second trimester. In fetal-age terms (counting from conception rather than your last period), this is closer to "20 weeks post-conception."

This stretch of weeks is generally when facial features finish coming together in a way that starts to resemble a newborn, even though the skin is still thin and the body is lean.

Baby Size at 22 Weeks

At 22 weeks, your baby is about the size of a spaghetti squash — roughly 27.8 centimeters long, measured head to heel, and weighing around 430 grams. (Source: Baby Your Baby, Utah Department of Health)

A More Baby-Like Face and a Stronger Grasp

Facial features are hitting a major milestone this week: eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are now fully formed, giving your baby a much more recognizable, newborn-like appearance on ultrasound. The sense of touch keeps sharpening too — grip strength has improved enough that your baby's grasp can reach the ears and the umbilical cord. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)

Touching the umbilical cord is a normal, common behavior at this stage — it's one of the first structures within reach, and babies often keep exploring it with their hands throughout the rest of pregnancy. The sense of touch is also becoming refined enough for your baby to touch their own face, an early building block for reflexes like the rooting and sucking reflex needed for feeding after birth.

Diagram showing a 22 week fetus face with fully formed eyebrows, eyelids, and lips, and a hand grasping the umbilical cord — At 22 weeks, eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are fully formed, and a stronger grasp lets baby reach the umbilical cord.

What You Might Notice at 22 Weeks Pregnant

Week 22 tends to bring more visible physical changes alongside familiar second-trimester symptoms. Here's what commonly shows up:

A noticeably rounder belly, as the uterus continues rising above the belly button.

Braxton Hicks contractions, appearing as occasional, painless tightening in the belly.

Varicose veins, which can appear on the legs as blood volume increases and circulation works harder.

Swelling in the feet and ankles, especially by the end of the day.

Dry, itchy skin across the belly as it continues to stretch.

Backaches, as your center of gravity keeps shifting forward.

Vivid dreams, which some people report more frequently during the second trimester.

It's also completely normal to have few or no symptoms yet. Symptom timing and intensity vary widely from person to person and even between pregnancies for the same person.

What's Happening in Your Body

Eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are now fully formed, giving baby a more newborn-like face.
Grip strength improves, letting baby's grasp reach the ears and umbilical cord.
Touch continues sharpening, an early building block for feeding reflexes after birth.
The belly grows noticeably rounder as the uterus continues rising.
Circulation works harder, which can bring on varicose veins or mild swelling.

Tips for Week 22

Moisturize dry, itchy skin regularly, especially across the belly and hips.

Wear compression socks or elevate your legs if varicose veins or swelling show up.

Avoid standing or sitting in one position too long to help circulation.

Keep taking your prenatal vitamin — steady nutrition continues to matter through the second half of pregnancy.

Talk or read to your baby. Hearing continues developing, and this is a nice stretch to start building the habit if you haven't already.

Stay active with pregnancy-safe movement, like walking or swimming, to support circulation and mood.

Tips for Partners

Narrate your day out loud near the belly — hearing keeps developing, and it's a simple way to start bonding.
Help track down-time for swollen or tired legs, like propping up a footrest in the evening.
Notice and name physical changes together, rather than letting them go unacknowledged.
Pick up more of the standing/walking-heavy chores if varicose veins or swelling are bothering your partner.

FAQ

How big is my baby at 22 weeks pregnant? About the size of a spaghetti squash — roughly 27.8 centimeters long, measured head to heel, and weighing around 430 grams.

Are my baby's facial features fully formed at 22 weeks? Eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are now fully formed, giving baby a more recognizable, newborn-like face, though features will continue to fill out with fat stores later in pregnancy.

Why does my baby keep touching the umbilical cord? It's one of the first structures within reach as grip strength improves, and it's a completely normal, common behavior at this stage.

What causes varicose veins during pregnancy? Increased blood volume and pressure from the growing uterus can make veins, especially in the legs, more visible and sometimes swollen.

What symptoms are normal at 22 weeks pregnant? A rounder belly, Braxton Hicks contractions, varicose veins, swelling, dry or itchy skin, backaches, and vivid dreams are all common at this stage.

Can my baby hear me yet? Hearing continues developing throughout the second trimester, and many providers encourage talking, singing, or reading aloud as a simple way to start bonding.

When will I feel more decisive kicks instead of flutters? Movement generally becomes stronger and more distinct through the rest of the second trimester, building on the more coordinated movements that started around week 21.

Pregnancy Checklist at Week 22

Keep taking a prenatal vitamin daily
Moisturize dry, itchy skin regularly
Wear compression socks or elevate your legs if varicose veins appear
Avoid standing or sitting in one position for too long
Talk, sing, or read to your baby as hearing continues developing
Stay active with pregnancy-safe movement like walking or swimming
Note any severe cramping, heavy bleeding, or reduced movement and call your provider if it occurs

Related guides

21 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Baby Size & What to Expect — what happened the week before, as movement became more coordinated
Pregnancy Week by Week: A Complete Guide — see what happens in every week and trimester, from implantation to full term
How Is Your Due Date Actually Calculated? — the exact formula behind your due date, plus a free calculator

Week 22 brings a much more baby-like face, with eyebrows, eyelids, and lips fully formed, plus a stronger grasp that lets your baby explore the umbilical cord.