My 22 Week Pregnant Belly: Bump Update (With Pictures)

My 22 Weeks Pregnant Belly Picture

22-week-bump-update

Starting Weight: 123lbs

Current Weight: 129lbs

Total Weight Gain: 6lbs

Now let’s go over how my week went and what to expect…



Energy Level: My energy level was quite low this week as I had an upper respiratory tract infection that required me to take 2 days off of work. With a daily dose of Coconut water, a shot of Acerola, Acai bowls, vegetables, and rest, I was able to fully recover by the weekend.

Pregnancy symptoms: I was sluggish, congested, and fatigued most of the week.

Other Physical Changes: My breast have continued to grow a bit. I am also continuing to put cream on my belly to try and avoid stretch marks. Luckily I have not seen any thus far. My belly button is still an innie for now.

Diet: No new changes to my diet this week.

Diet Modifications: No dietary modifications.

Food Aversions: No food aversions either :).

Food Cravings: After I got over my URI, I was craving a big hearty Italian meal so I ordered one of my favorite all-time foods- Penne Alla Vodka. It was delicious!

Workouts: Unfortunately, I did not work out all week because of my illness. This was the first time in the second trimester that I didn’t exercise. I gave my body the time it needed to recover adequately. I am excited to get back into regular exercise this week.

You can see examples of my entire pregnancy workout in my Prenatal Fitness Prescription.

Modifications to my workout: I made sure to continue training my pelvic floor muscles with Kegels every day and take a brisk walk whenever I could.

*Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider to learn if exercise is safe for you.* As always start with gentle exercises and listen to your body.

Other Related Questions

How big should bump be at 22 weeks of pregnancy?

A 22-week baby bump will likely be visible to other people, though the size will vary from person to person.

If you are naturally thin and have not gained a significant amount of weight yet, your bump will likely be smaller than that of other pregnant women.

Here is what I look like at 22 weeks.

brittany holding up sign at 22 weeks pregnant from side

What is the baby’s position at 22 weeks?

The baby’s position is constantly changing at 22 weeks and it will be hard to know exactly what position he or she is in at any given time.

How big is the baby on the 22nd week of pregnancy?

At 22 weeks, your baby weighs about 1 lb and is about 11 inches in length!

Congratulations! Your baby has reached the 1 lb milestone!

What does the baby look like at 22 weeks?

Your baby will look fully developed at this time, though with little body fat and thin skin.

His/her eyelids are fully formed, and eyebrows will now be visible with fine hair.

You can even see your baby’s lips on ultrasound.

What is my baby doing in the womb at 22 weeks?

Your baby is moving around a lot at 22 weeks. The degree of fetal movement you experience will depend on:

  • Location of your placenta (women with an anterior placenta will feel the baby move less than women with a posterior placenta)
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) (heavier women may feel less movement than those of a lighter woman)
  • Size of your midsection (extra weight in your belly will decrease the amount of movement you experience)
  • Your amniotic fluid level (if you happen to have too little or too much fluid, you might not feel as much movement).

How often should you feel kicks at 22 weeks?

There is no set number of times you should feel fetal kicks at 22 weeks. It is common to feel your baby’s movements after eating or at particular times of the day.

At times where your baby is less active, he/she is likely sleeping.

Can baby kicks hurt at 22 weeks?

Baby kicks should not hurt at 22 weeks but they can be quite strong and possibly a little uncomfortable.

Most of the time, your baby’s movements will feel like fluttering.

If you are feeling severe lower abdominal pain you should speak with your provider immediately.

How do you know your pregnancy is going well at 22 weeks?

Your pregnancy is likely going well at 22 weeks if:

  • you are feeling well and gaining an appropriate amount of pregnancy weight
  • you are eating a healthy diet, staying well hydrated, and taking your prenatal vitamins consistently
  • your baby is kicking and moving throughout the day

Can the baby feel when I rub my belly?

Your baby’s nervous system is well developed at 22 weeks and can process the sensation of touch.

It is highly likely that your baby can feel you rub your belly.

How does your stomach feel at 22 weeks pregnant?

At 22 weeks, your lower abdomen may feel more firm than usual. This is due to the growth of your uterus. The 2nd trimester is a period of rapid growth for your fetus and placenta.

You may be able to palpate or feel the top of the uterus approximately 2cm above your belly button.

This is known as the fundus, and your doctor will measure your fundal height at each visit to ensure your pregnancy is growing appropriately.

What are common symptoms at this stage of pregnancy?

At 22 weeks, you might start to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. This is just your uterus preparing for labor by doing practice contractions.

However, if you begin to experience regular, frequent, or painful contractions, it is a good idea to see a healthcare provider to determine if you are in preterm labor.

Other common pregnancy symptoms you might experience include:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Fatigue
  • Leg cramps
  • Shortness of breath with activity
  • Heartburn / Indigestion
  • Constipation
  • Lower back discomfort
  • Minor swelling of extremities
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Round ligament pain

Pregnancy hormones begin to peak at 22-24 weeks, which may also increase your sex drive.

22 weeks pregnant is how many months?

At 22 weeks, you are halfway done with the 6th month of pregnancy! You are 5 months and 2 weeks.

Can you believe that you only have 4 more months to go?

Can I sleep on my back at 22 weeks pregnant?

In general, you want to avoid sleeping flat on your back or flat on your stomach in the late second trimester and third trimester.

The reason is that the uterus can compress the major blood vessel that returns blood back to your heart.

If this blood flow of blood is decreased, your heart will not be able to circulate blood throughout your body efficiently. As a result, blood flow to the placenta (and your baby) will decrease, limiting the oxygen and nutrients delivered to your baby.

If you must lay on your back, prop yourself up on a few pillows so that you are not completely flat. This can help alleviate the pressure off the blood vessels.

Can you see your belly move at 22 weeks pregnant?

Yes, it is possible to see your belly moving at 22 weeks if your baby is actively moving.

It is such a fascinating sight to see!

Can babies survive at 22 weeks?

Unfortunately, babies cannot survive at 22 weeks as the baby’s lungs are not fully developed at this time.

If you happen to break your water or go into labor, we can only allow nature to take its course as there is no intervention that can be given at this time period to ensure neonatal survival.

Final Words on Pregnancy Week 22

You are more than halfway to your due date, can you believe how quickly the time passes?

How did your 22nd week go? Are you planning on taking antenatal classes?

Comment below and let me know.

Be sure to come back next week, for my 23 week pregnancy bump update!

My Other Weekly Updates!


Get Four Free Workouts To Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor & Heal Your Mommy Tummy!


brittany-robles

Brittany Robles, MD, MPH, CPT

Brittany Robles is a full-time OBGYN physician, a NASM certified trainer, and a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal health with a special interest in exercise and nutrition. She is also the co-author of The White Coat Trainer. Learn more about her here.



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