Week 22: A tiny newborn face

Your baby is about the size of a coconut now, and their face is fully formed — eyebrows, eyelids and all — looking very much like a miniature newborn. Their grip is strengthening, and their pancreas has started producing insulin.

Movements are getting big enough that you may see them from the outside now, and your partner can feel a kick by resting a hand on your belly — a lovely way for them to start bonding too. Share those moments; they’re some of the best of pregnancy.

One practical thing to keep an eye on: urinary tract infections are more common in pregnancy. If you notice burning when you wee, needing to go constantly, or cloudy or smelly urine, see your GP promptly — UTIs are easily treated but best caught early. Staying well-hydrated helps.

It’s a sweet stage for sharing the pregnancy with the people around you — visible kicks, a partner feeling a thump for the first time, an older sibling saying hello to the bump. Soak those moments up. You may also notice your skin and bump stretching faster now; a fragrance-free moisturiser eases the itch, and well-fitting maternity clothes and a supportive bra make a surprising difference to how comfortable you feel day to day.

It’s also a good moment to keep an eye on your emotional wellbeing, not just the physical. The novelty of the bump can sit alongside real anxiety about birth, money or the months ahead — all normal, and all easier shared. Lean on your partner or a friend, and remember your midwife is there for the worries as much as the check-ups.

And if pelvic or hip pain (pelvic girdle pain) is creeping in, a physiotherapist who works with pregnant women can make a real difference — it’s common and very treatable.