22 weeks pregnant and the details of your baby’s distinct facial features are starting to become
evident. At just over 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and right at 1 pound, your baby is
starting to look like a miniature newborn. The lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct.
The eyes have formed, but the irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see
inside your womb, you would be able to spot the deep wrinkles of the skin, which they will sport until
adding a layer of fat to fill them in. Inside your baby’s belly, the pancreas — essential to produce some
important hormones — is developing steadily. The intestines are quickly developing to take over
digestion after birth. Your baby’s hearing is becoming stronger now and the more you talk to them, the
more they will recognize your voice in a few weeks. They are also listening to the sounds your stomach
makes and the constant beating of your heart. I have seen babies at this stage respond to loud noises
such as heavy laughter and loud clapping. The baby’s grip is stronger, and you can see the baby playing
with the cord and such, more often.
