Week 22: Eyebrows Are Visible

Your baby is really starting to look like themselves! This week the eyebrows and eyelashes become visible, and the face is gaining more and more personality. Your baby is practicing grasping and holding on — the umbilical cord is the favorite toy right now. The lungs are doing important breathing exercises with amniotic fluid.

With a weight of around 430 grams and a length of about 28 cm, the baby is growing quickly. The skin is still wrinkled — it is waiting for the fat layers that will fill it out over the next few months.

This week you are also approaching an important medical milestone: the threshold at which modern intensive medicine can save extremely premature babies.

Baby's Development

Size and Growth

• Length: About 28 cm from head to heel
• Weight: About 430 grams
• Comparison: The size of a coconut

Key Developmental Milestones

• Eyebrows and lashes: Small, fine eyebrows and eyelashes are visible, but without pigmentation yet
• Grasping reflex: Your baby is developing a stronger grasping reflex and grabs for the umbilical cord
• Breathing exercises: The lungs are practicing breathing movements with amniotic fluid — important training
• Lips forming: The lips become more defined, and the baby sucks on the thumb regularly
• Skin: Wrinkled because the baby doesn't have enough fat yet — blood vessels give a reddish color
• Liver: The liver is beginning to break down bilirubin, a waste product from red blood cells
• Pancreas: The pancreas is maturing and producing hormones for blood sugar regulation

Sleep and Wake Cycles

The baby is now developing clearer sleep and wake cycles:

Active periods:

• Kicking, stretching, and rolling
• Grabbing the umbilical cord
• Sucking the thumb
• Swallowing amniotic fluid
• Responding to sounds and movements

Rest periods:

• Deep sleep in longer intervals
• Less movement
• The brain processes sensory impressions

Many pregnant women notice that the baby is most active in the evening — this is because your movements rock the baby to sleep during the day. These cycles are an important sign that the brain is maturing.

Thumb-Sucking — An Important Reflex

The baby is regularly sucking on their thumb already. This reflex is innate and has several functions:

• Trains the muscles needed for breastfeeding after birth
• Provides the baby with a form of self-soothing
• Strengthens coordination between hand and mouth
• Develops swallowing and sucking reflexes

Some babies prefer the right thumb, others the left — without indicating anything about future hand dominance.

Your Body

Common Symptoms

• Belly button popping out: The growing uterus pushes the belly button outward — completely normal and harmless
• Increased appetite: Many notice a clearly increased appetite now that the baby is growing quickly
• Linea nigra: The dark line on the abdomen may become more pronounced
• Backache: The growing belly shifts the center of gravity forward and causes lower back pain
• Stretch marks: Some notice the first stretch marks on the abdomen, hips, or breasts
• Swollen gums: Hormones can make the gums swollen and prone to bleeding

Stretch Marks — Can They Be Prevented?

Stretch marks (striae) occur when the skin stretches faster than it can adapt. Genetics is the most important factor in determining whether you get stretch marks.

Risk factors:

• Genetics (the most important factor)
• Rapid weight gain
• Young age (skin is more elastic in younger people)
• Dry skin
• Previous stretch marks

Measures that may help:

• Keep skin well moisturized with cream or oil
• Avoid rapid, large weight gain
• Drink enough water to keep skin elastic
• Eat nutritiously with enough vitamin C and E
• Use a fragrance-free, rich moisturizer daily

Phases:

1. New stretch marks are red or purple (striae rubra)
2. Over time they fade to silver-white (striae alba)
3. They never disappear completely, but become very discreet

Dental Health During Pregnancy

Hormones can make the gums more sensitive. Pregnancy hormones may cause gums to:

• Swell and feel tender
• Bleed more easily
• Be more susceptible to inflammation (gingivitis)

Measures:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Use floss or interdental brushes daily
• Schedule a dental check-up during pregnancy
• Rinse with salt water for sore gums
• Let your dentist know you are pregnant

Good to Know

Calcium and Vitamin D

Your baby needs a lot of calcium for bones and teeth now. According to WHO and AAP guidelines, the recommended daily intake is around 1,000 mg of calcium for pregnant women.

Calcium-rich foods:

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption. The recommended dose is 600–800 IU daily, with supplements particularly important during winter months or if you have limited sun exposure.

Viability — An Important Threshold

Around week 22–24, you are approaching the threshold of viability — the point at which a premature baby can survive with intensive medical care.

Modern neonatal intensive care units can support babies born from around week 23 onward, and survival rates increase significantly for every day and week that passes. The vast majority of pregnancies continue to term without complications.

Hydration Is Important

Stay well hydrated — at least 1.5–2 liters of water daily. Adequate fluids:

• Help with constipation
• Reduce headaches
• Keep amniotic fluid levels optimal
• Provide better skin elasticity
• Help prevent urinary tract infections
• Reduce swelling (paradoxically)

Your Next Prenatal Checkup

Prenatal checkups are typically scheduled around week 24. At this appointment, the following is usually checked:

• Blood pressure
• Urine sample (protein and glucose)
• Fundal height measurement (uterus size)
• Baby's heartbeat
• Discussion of any symptoms and questions

It helps to write down your questions in advance. Common topics:

• Pelvic pain or back pain
• Heartburn or constipation
• Work capacity and possible leave
• Birthing preparation classes
• Any concerns you have

For Your Partner

• Help with practical planning — nursery, equipment, and parental leave arrangements
• Offer back massage in the evenings — back pain is very common now
• Remind her to drink enough water throughout the day
• Start thinking about a birth plan — what is important to you both during the birth?

Tips for Week 22

1. Vitamin D: Make sure you get 600–800 IU daily, especially in darker months
2. Drink regularly: Keep a water bottle handy throughout the day
3. Document the bump: Take weekly photos — they become a treasured memory
4. Good posture: Think about your body posture to prevent back pain
5. Dental visit: Schedule a check-up — hormones affect gum health
6. Calcium-rich foods: Yogurt, cheese, and milk ensure enough calcium
7. Pelvic floor exercises: Three sets of ten repetitions daily

When to Contact a Doctor

Contact your doctor or midwife if you experience:

• More than four contractions in an hour that do not ease
• Bleeding or spotting from the vagina
• Watery discharge that could indicate amniotic fluid leaking
• Intense itching on hands and soles of feet (possible cholestasis of pregnancy)
• Sudden vision disturbances or severe headache
• Bleeding gums that will not stop
• Strong abdominal pain that does not ease

Did You Know?

• The eyebrows have no color: Your baby's eyebrows and lashes are completely without pigmentation — they are pale and fine. Color develops after birth, and eye color is not finalized until the baby is 6–12 months old.
• The thumb is the favorite toy: The baby sucks on their thumb regularly already. This reflex is innate and important for breastfeeding after birth.
• The umbilical cord is sturdy: The baby grabs and holds onto the umbilical cord without any problems. It is protected by Wharton's jelly, which prevents it from being compressed.
• The lungs are practicing with amniotic fluid: The breathing movements with amniotic fluid are essential training for the first breath after birth.
• Bilirubin and jaundice: The liver is beginning to break down bilirubin now, but function is not fully developed at birth. This is why many newborns have a mild form of jaundice — it is normal.

Common Questions About Week 22

Is it normal for my belly button to pop out?

Yes, completely normal and harmless. The growing uterus pushes the belly button outward. Most find that it goes back to normal a few weeks after birth.

How much calcium do I really need?

WHO and AAP guidelines recommend around 1,000 mg of calcium daily during pregnancy. That is roughly equivalent to three glasses of milk or a similar amount of yogurt and cheese. Vitamin D is important for absorption. Talk to your midwife if you don't eat dairy products.

Can I take weekly bump photos without any risk?

Absolutely! Regular photographs with a camera or mobile phone are completely safe. It is a wonderful way to document your pregnancy.

What can I do about linea nigra?

Linea nigra is caused by increased melanin production from hormones. It is completely harmless and usually fades on its own after birth. You don't need to do anything about it.

Should I go to the dentist during pregnancy?

Yes, it is recommended. Hormones can make gums more susceptible to inflammation. Let your dentist know you are pregnant so they can adapt treatment if needed.

What is Wharton's jelly?

Wharton's jelly is a gelatinous substance that surrounds the blood vessels in the umbilical cord. It protects the two arteries and one vein from compression and bending. This is what allows the baby to safely play with the umbilical cord.

Next week: The lungs take an important step forward and begin producing surfactant!