Week 29: Your baby's skin will smooth out as they put on weight.
Read more about week 29
Week 30: Your baby is now fully developed by this stage.
Read more about week 30
Week 31: Your baby's little eyes are now able to focus.
Read more about week 31
Week 32: Your baby will start to move into the head-down position.
Read more about week 32
Week 33: Your baby's brain and nervous system are now fully developed.
Read more about week 33
Week 34: Your baby should now be curling up in your uterus.
Read more about week 34
Week 35: Your baby's legs will now be bent up towards their chest.
Read more about week 35
Week 36: Your baby's digestive system is also now ready to have their first feed of breast milk.
Read more about week 36
Week 37: You're now at full-term pregnancy.
Read more about week 37
Week 38: Your baby's head will be moving down into the 'engaged' position.
Read more about week 38
Week 39: Your baby is now just waiting to meet you!
Read more about week 39
Week 40: This could be the week...!
Read more about week 40
Week 29
With just 11 weeks to go, your baby will be continuing to grow and develop at speed. In fact, they will double in size between now and birth, so prepare for your bump to get even bigger!
This bump development can lead to breathlessness as it pushes up against your lungs, not to mention the extra weight you’re having to carry round.
Your baby’s skin should now be starting to smooth out and they’ll become less wrinkly as they continue to put on fat, which is now being used to for energy as they up their activity level inside your womb1. Some women feel lots of movement while others don’t, each pregnancy is different.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a papaya
Week 30
By this stage you can start to count down to seeing your baby for the first time. They’re fully developed by this stage, with a bit of fine tuning going on before they’re born. For instance, the greasy vernix and soft, furry fine hair which covered their skin for a while is starting to disappear2.
Leg cramps at night time are a common occurrence for many pregnant women at this stage of pregnancy, and they could continue until around week 32. This could lead to a few restless nights in the meantime.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a leek
Week 31
Your baby’s little eyes are now able to focus by week 31 and although their lungs are developing quickly, it’ll be another four or five weeks until they’re able to breathe on their own.
You will probably also have an appointment with your midwife or GP to measure the size of your womb and check which way round your baby is lying3.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a butternut squash
Week 32
You might be counting down the days until you see your baby, and even they’re now getting ready for birth. By around 32 weeks they are normally lying with their head pointing downwards, and this is known as cephalic presentation4.
However, if they’ve not done this yet then don’t worry as there’s still time for them to turn.
Furthermore, by 32 weeks your uterus will have an increased amount of amniotic fluid inside it, which in turn your baby will be swallowing and now passing it out as urine5.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a Chinese leaf cabbage
Week 33
Your baby’s brain and nervous system are now fully developed and their bones are also continuing to harden, although their skull won’t fully harden and fuse together until after they are born – this makes their journey through the birth canal easier as the bones are able to move and slide over each other while still offering protection to the brain6.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a pineapple
Week 34
By week 34 your baby should be curled up in your uterus, with their legs bent up towards their chest7. Because of the lack of room to move about you will be able to see any changes in position or movement on the surface of your bump.
It’s understandable that this late in pregnancy you might be needing to slow down a bit. You might also experience your uterus tightening from time to time (Braxtono Hicks contractions) as it ‘practices’ for the tightenings and contractions that will come during labour. This is completely normal, but you should contact your midwife if they become too painful.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a corn on the cob
Week 35
At this stage, if your baby is a boy then their testicles will start to descend from his abdomen into his scrotum8.
If you haven’t done so already then you should really get your hospital bag packed (try our handy checklist to help you out), and it’s also wise to have a list of important telephone numbers ready in case you go in to labour.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a winter melon
Week 36
Your baby’s preparation for birth is almost complete now: their lungs are fully formed and will be ready to take their first breath once born, while they’re also able to suckle for feeds by week 36. In turn, their digestive system is also now ready to have their first feed of breast milk9.
Week 36 is the final week that a labour starting now would be considered as premature, and you can find out all about premature birth and the care that’s available.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a celery
Week 37
Welcome to full-term pregnancy – you could be meeting your baby in a matter of days, or it could take a bit longer than planned (especially if it’s your first one). Your baby is likely to weigh between three and four kilograms by now, so it’s understandable if you feel like you ‘just want it out now’.
Development-wise, your baby’s digestive system will now contain something called meconium, which is the sticky green substance which makes up their first poo after they’re born10.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a Swiss chard
Week 38
By this stage your baby is a perfectly developed newborn and they’re ready to meet their parents now. Their head has more than likely already moved down into your pelvis by now into the ‘engaged’ position. This new position is often more comfortable, especially for first-time mums, although there will be increased pressure in your lower abdomen11.
As your baby’s head engages you might notice that your bump has lowered, however in some cases babies will only ‘engage’ at the beginning of labour.
Most babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, so the next few days and weeks is all about getting ready for labour!
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a marrow
Week 39
At week 39 your baby is really just hanging around and waiting to meet you. They’re just waiting for the green light.
As long as they’re inside you they’ll try and build up a layer of fat which helps to control their temperature after the birth, while their hair will be continuing to grow.
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a watermelon
Week 40
This should be the week! You’ll be meeting your newborn very soon, but first you might have to encounter a few false starts, especially if this is your first baby12.
You should have discussed with your midwife what the signs of labour are, such as contractions of tightenings, a ‘show’ where the plug of mucus from your cervix comes away, and your waters breaking.
It’s likely that your midwife will ask you to stay at home until you have frequent contractions, which are in a regular pattern and last at least 60 seconds, occurring every five minutes13.
If you’re planning to have your baby in a maternity ward then you should phone the hospital because the birth isn’t far away!
How big is baby this week? Around the length of a pumpkin
Find out what’s going on in trimester one or what’s going on in trimester two.
References:
NHS Choices: You and your baby at 29-32 weeks pregnant [1,2,3,4,5]
NHS Choices: You and your baby at 33-36 weeks pregnant [6,7,8,9]
NHS Choices: You and your baby at 37-40 weeks pregnant [10,11,12,13]