What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of The Longest Drink
• probably weighs around 1.1kg
• now two thirds of their birth size
• skin changing from being quite transparent to opaque
• is beginning to ‘fill out’ as weight gain speeds up
• definite sleep and wake times
• the folds and grooves of the brain continue to develop
• hair continues to grow.

You…

• may notice swollen ankles – put your feet up when you can!
• could find yourself getting short of breath as your uterus pushes up towards your rib cage.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the length of hair straighteners 
• may weigh about 1.3kg
• bone marrow now completely in charge of red blood cell production
• fetal movements may change to more elbows and knees, hard jabs and punches, than the previous gymnastic type movements you were feeling.

You…

• may find that your breasts are still getting larger
• contact lenses may be uncomfortable as the moisture in your eyes alters
• may feel your internal organs are crowded.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of a 1L Frank Green 
• fat deposits are building up underneath the skin to insulate the baby against the abrupt change in temperature at birth
• in preparation for birth your baby will mimic breathing movements by repeatedly moving the diaphragm.

You…

• your joints and spine are softer than usual so you will need to take extra care when moving things around.
• watch your posture as your centre of gravity continues to change.

Getting to sleep may be more difficult around now as your bump gets bigger. A few babies do arrive early, so it’s worth being prepared.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• may be about the size of a medium  Jellycat Bashful Bunny
• won’t grow much more in length now but will continue to put on weight
• can probably tell light from dark, day and night
• the digestive tract and the lungs are now nearly fully matured
• the skin is less red and wrinkled
• the fingernails may reach the end of the hands.

You…

• may be leaking colostrum from the breasts
• heartburn may be troublesome as your stomach comes under pressure from the growing baby
• may have backache from the ligaments stretching to accommodate the baby.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of a Pavlova
• weighs about 1.7kg
• lanugo (fine hair covering the body) is beginning to fall off
• may seem to squirm rather than kick you now – there’s less space to move around in
• most of the wrinkles are disappearing from the face.

You…

• may notice more Braxton Hicks contractions
• may begin to feel tired and uncomfortable and your sleep may be disturbed because of your baby’s activity
• haemorrhoids may develop.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• may be about the size of an adult sized helmet
• continuing to deposit fat for protection and warmth
• gaining weight
• may have a head of hair already
• may settle into a head-down position over the next few weeks.

You…

• may find the baby’s kicking more uncomfortable
• may be slowing down as you cope with the extra weight
• may feel uncomfortably hot in warm weather
• are probably looking forward to the pregnancy being over
• have approximately 1 litre of amniotic fluid.

You can feel quite tired at this stage of pregnancy. After all, growing a baby is hard work. Try to pace yourself, rest when you can, and boost your energy with iron-rich snacks.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the length of a large loaf of bread
• may weigh about 2kg
• may measure about 46cm top to toe
• able to survive outside the womb without extensive medical treatment
• vernix coating on the skin is becoming thicker whereas the lanugo hair is almost completely gone

You…

• placenta is nearly 4 times as thick as it was 20 weeks ago and weighs about 570 grams
• virtually the entire uterus is now occupied by the baby and its activity is becoming more restricted.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of a pineapple
• may weigh around 2.3kg
• is gaining weight steadily, this week begins the most rapid period of weight gain – 226-340 grams each week
• has lungs that are almost fully developed.

You…

• you may have trouble sleeping due to backache, frequent bathroom visits or discomfort
• may start to feel uncomfortable if the baby’s weight presses on the nerves in your legs and pelvis.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• may be about the size of a world cup rugby ball
• could measure around 50 cm from head to toe
• sleeps, dreams, wakes and kicks
• may start to move further down into your pelvis, getting ready to be born (this is called lightening)
• the bones that make up your baby’s skull can move relative to one another and overlap each other while your baby’s head is inside your pelvis – it helps the baby pass through the birth canal.

You…

• may be able to breathe a little easier as the baby moves down into your pelvis
• could need to use the toilet a lot from the pressure on your bladder
• heartburn may improve due to the baby’s movement downward too.

You’re into the final month – and probably glad to have the finishing line in sight! We’ll help you get ready to cross it!

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of a bowling pin
• is still gaining weight
• may weigh about 2.9kg
• could measure about 51 cm when they are born but much smaller all tucked up inside

You…

• may find walking more uncomfortable if your baby’s head presses on your pelvic floor
• may have more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions could have dreams about the birth, or about the baby.

Everyone worries about whether they will know they are in labour. Our checklist this week will help you decide whether it’s the real thing.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of adult Doc Martins
• regular movements are reassuring signs of a healthy baby, so it is important to be aware of your baby’s movements and report and alteration in pattern.
• has now lost most of the fine downy hair (lanugo) and protective white substance, vernix.

You…

• may feel impatient
• may worry that every twinge is a sign of imminent labour
• may feel very tired one minute, full of energy the next.

What’s happening this week

Your baby…

• is about the size of a small watermelon
• is ready to be born – the average baby weighs around 3.4kg and measures around 51cm in length – your baby may be lighter or heavier, shorter or longer than this
• has all her senses working – smell, touch taste, sight and hearing.

You…

• may get impatient with people ringing up to see if you’ve gone into labour yet
• may have trouble sleeping, or anxious dreams
• may worry that your waters will break in public.