Pregnant Woman at 22 Weeks of Gestation, Lateral View (Brown Skin)

Description

Seen from the side, the maternal torso is rendered semi-transparent so the gravid uterus can be followed from the pelvic inlet up above the umbilicus, consistent with a fundal height at roughly 22 weeks of gestation. The fetus lies curled within the amniotic sac in a cephalic-tending position, head directed inferiorly toward the maternal left side of the view, with flexed limbs against the trunk and the umbilical cord passing from the abdominal insertion toward the placenta on the uterine wall. Beneath and behind the uterus the urinary bladder, cervix, vagina and rectum are visible in the pelvis, framed by the pelvic bones, while displaced loops of small and large intestine are pushed superiorly and posteriorly by the enlarging uterine body. The maternal abdominal wall is shown intact and stretched, one hand resting on the fundus and the other on the lumbar region. At 22 weeks the fetus is in the middle of the second trimester: proportions are recognisably human, the fluid volume of the amniotic cavity is generous relative to fetal size, and the fundus sits about at or just above the umbilicus, the landmark clinicians use for symphysis-fundal height assessment. This is also the period of the detailed anomaly scan window and of viability counselling discussions, and the crowding of maternal intestines, compression of the bladder and altered lumbar lordosis seen here explain common complaints of urinary frequency, reflux and low back pain. The lateral orientation makes the relationship between uterine axis, bladder and rectum easy to convey when discussing fetal lie and presentation. The image suits obstetric and midwifery teaching sets, antenatal class handouts and week-by-week pregnancy timelines in apps or print, where a consistent series across gestation is needed. Sonographers, obstetric nurses and general practitioners can use it to orient patients to fetal position and organ displacement, and publishers can place it in textbook figures on second-trimester development. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.