You have reached the 22nd week of pregnancy and you are eagerly waiting for the day you will hold your baby in your arms. So, what happens in the 22nd week of pregnancy? What are the changes in the mother in the 22nd week of pregnancy? How big is a 22-week baby?

Here is your baby's height, weight, and development in the 22nd week of pregnancy with the comments of Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yeditepe University Hospitals and IVF Specialist...

How Big is a 22-Week Baby?

This week, the fetus is the size of a coconut, weighs 430 grams, and has a head-to-heel length of 27.8 cm.

Baby Development at 22 Weeks of Pregnancy

The eyes have formed, but the iris (the colored part of the eye) is not yet fully pigmented (colored).
The baby continues to swallow amniotic fluid and urinate, and the baby's waste passes into the mother's bloodstream. The mother, therefore, removes her own and the baby's waste from its body and this is one of the reasons why the mother's kidneys work harder during pregnancy. A substance called meconium is already forming in the intestines and this is excreted as the first stool after birth. 
If the baby is a girl, milk glands start to form in the breasts. If the baby is a boy, the testicles begin to migrate from the abdomen to their normal location.

Changes in mother at 22 Weeks of Pregnancy

As the gestational week progresses, your belly tries to keep up with the growth rate of your baby and uterus, but your skin may not always be able to adapt to this, and stretch marks may appear on your belly, breasts, buttocks, upper arms, upper legs, and knees. These stretch marks, which are purple at first, turn white over time and especially after childbirth. Unfortunately, it is very difficult and sometimes impossible to get rid of stretch marks after they appear. 
In some pregnant women, the belly button may suddenly bulge out, but don't be afraid, it will return to its original shape some time after the birth. You will notice that your hair is thicker and grows faster.You may feel swelling in your hands and feet, but if this is a sudden and severe swelling, you should consult your doctor immediately. These symptoms may be a symptom of "pre-eclampsia", also known as pregnancy poisoning.

Image of a 22-23 Weeks-Old Baby