The 22-week mark signifies the halfway point of a full-term pregnancy, placing it firmly in the middle of the fifth month. This period marks a shift into rapid fetal growth and development. The baby is gaining weight and muscle strength, leading to a much more noticeable presence inside the abdomen. Understanding the baby’s physical location is important, as the expanding uterus changes its position and begins to press on nearby organs, causing new physical sensations.
The Uterine Map: Positioning at 22 Weeks
At 22 weeks, the uterus has expanded far beyond the confines of the pelvis, where it was situated during the first trimester. The top of the uterus, known as the fundus, has now ascended into the abdominal cavity. The fundus is typically located slightly above the mother’s navel, or umbilicus, at this stage of pregnancy.
Healthcare providers measure this upward movement using fundal height, which is the distance in centimeters from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. At 22 weeks, this measurement usually correlates closely with the gestational age, meaning it would be approximately 22 centimeters. This means the uterus is no longer confined to the bony protection of the pelvis, instead becoming an abdominal organ that displaces others.
Organs that were once below the uterus, such as the bladder, are now joined by those above it, like the intestines and stomach, in being compressed or shifted. This relocation creates the outward-growing baby bump. The continued growth will push the fundus even higher in the coming weeks, eventually reaching its maximum height near the rib cage.
Fetal Placement and Movement
At 22 weeks, the fetus is still relatively small compared to the volume of amniotic fluid surrounding it. The baby typically measures around 10 to 11 inches in length and weighs about 14 ounces. This large amount of fluid allows for significant freedom of movement and changes in orientation.
The fetus does not yet maintain a consistent, fixed position. The baby is highly mobile and may be found in a transverse (sideways), oblique (diagonal), or breech (feet- or bottom-first) orientation. Consistent, head-down positioning is not expected until much later in the third trimester.
The movements felt by the mother are a result of the baby’s developing muscle strength. Fetal activity includes stretching, rolling, and practicing movements like sucking and gripping. While initial movements, sometimes called quickening, felt like gentle flutters, they are now becoming stronger and more defined.
Physical Sensations Linked to Location
The upward shift of the uterus directly influences the physical sensations experienced by the mother. Its presence high in the abdomen exerts pressure on surrounding organs, which can lead to mild shortness of breath as the diaphragm has less room to expand. Heartburn is also common, occurring because the expanded uterus pushes the stomach upward, allowing digestive acids to backflow into the esophagus.
Fetal movements are generally felt around the level of the navel or slightly higher, corresponding to the uterus’s location. These kicks and punches are felt more distinctly now that the baby has grown larger and stronger. The ligaments supporting the high uterus are also under increasing strain, which can sometimes cause aches or sharp pains in the lower abdomen or pelvis.