Baby is growing up so fast! Your baby is 17-19 inches tall, the size of a cauliflower blossom, and weighs between 4 and 5 lbs. At this point in pregnancy though, there is a large variation in size from one baby to the next, and it’s harder to give an estimate for how big Baby is getting. As long as your healthcare provider says they’re on track, it’s safe to assume that your little one’s growth is just perfect for them.

Your baby is beginning to keep their eyes open while they’re awake, and before too long you’ll get to see those eyes look right into your own! Baby’s bones are still forming, and though relatively soft, they keep hardening. And your little one’s brain is developing more and more every day. 

Is Baby still causing a ruckus in there? While their movements should have become more regular now, counting them is as important as ever, as it can go a long way in helping you monitor your baby’s health. So it’s a good idea to pick a moment each day to count those kicks and wiggles.

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Your growing body may increasingly make some of your normal activities harder and more uncomfortable. So take care as you move through your days — take your time getting in and out of bed, cars, or up from seats. Be careful moving in crowded spaces as you might accidentally bump your belly into furniture or lose your balance. Just be patient and forgiving with yourself as you do your usual activities with an amazing body that’s still changing every day. 

Many folks also experience insomnia during their third trimester, which you can blame on a restless mind, shifting hormones, dancing babies and trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep in. Getting enough rest is very important though, so try to get as comfy and cozy as possible so that you can sleep as much as possible. And if you haven’t started using a pregnancy pillow yet, this may help you get comfortable and feel more supported so that you can get in those zzzs. If you’re being kept up at night by prolonged or severe feelings of sadness or extreme worry and you think you might be experiencing anxiety or depression, talk to your OB provider. You have lots of options for care, and there are so many benefits to seeking support now.

As for sex, it’s as true now as it was a few weeks ago, sex is completely normal and healthy right up until labor. You may have to make some creative adjustments to find positions that are comfortable for you, but — unless your provider tells you otherwise — go for it if you’re in the mood! 

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As Baby gets closer and closer to being born, they now measure in at 17-18 inches, are the size of a pomelo, and weigh about 4 pounds. Your little one’s head also may have a coating of fuzz this week. Baby is still a little ways away from their first mani-pedi, but they already have a full set of fingernails and toenails. In fact, one of your baby’s favorite activities right now is sucking their fingers, which is not only cute but actually improves their coordination and familiarizes them with their body. 

Baby is really practicing for the big stage, breathing and “swimming” like crazy. Your baby is also probably in the head-down position, with their head moving closer to your pelvis as they prepare for birth.

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You know your unique symptoms pretty well this late in your pregnancy. Symptoms are different for every pregnant person, but one of the most common symptoms of the third trimester is the increased need to pee. There is so much pressure on your bladder it can be tempting to cut down on hydration. But drinking enough water is so important. Hemorrhoids, flatulence, and constipation might continue as well. And you’ve probably reached a peak in the increased blood flow that’s, by now, been contributing to any number of symptoms. That extra 50% of blood does have a purpose, though — currently, it’s helping to keep Baby snug and safe, and it’s also going to help make up for the blood you lose during birth and postpartum. 

It’s time to start thinking more about your hopes and plans for labor, birth and postpartum, including thinking about if you may want to use any pain management. Talk to your provider, or ask during a hospital tour, about your options and what makes most sense for you. Epidural anesthesia is among the most common pain management options, though many opt for other IV or inhaled medications or elect to have medication-free births. It is also possible to labor without medication for pain but need other labor medications like pitocin and/or antibiotics. It helps to go into labor with an understanding of your options and keep in mind that you can always ask more questions when in labor and change your mind based on the circumstances. Everyone’s desires and needs are different, and your provider and care team will help you do what’s best for you. 

It’s also essential to prepare for life after Baby is here as the newborn period can be extremely busy!

If you’ve finished with some of your baby prep basics — Crib? Check! Diapers? Check! — you could get a headstart on babyproofing. Although Baby won’t be mobile for some time, you may have furniture that’s easier to secure to the wall now or pets you need to make contingency plans for. Have a cat who might crawl into a crib? You’ll need to cat-proof Baby’s bedroom. Have a dog who loves to lick aggressively? You may want an elevated and safe space to put Baby down while you’re in the restroom or have your hands full making a meal. A little bit of extra planning can save you the work when you’re in full newborn mode.

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Baby might now be 16.5-17.5 inches tall, the size of a head of lettuce, and weigh 3-3.5 pounds, though they should still have time to grow about 3-5 pounds more in the coming weeks. Your baby is gaining flexibility in their joints and neck, allowing them to do much more moving around in your womb, like turning their head with ease. 

Baby is also working on some final preparations prior to birth. Their senses are now intact, they continue to add on baby fat, and their immune system is nearly ready to fight and prevent illness all on its own—although this protection certainly takes time on the outside to fully develop and mature.

Your little one’s brain and nerves also continue to develop. The bones that make up their skull are not yet fused together. This is so that your baby can pass as easily as possible through the birth canal. These soft spots, or fontanelles, won’t close until Baby is about two years old, allowing for a lot more rapid brain growth.

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Baby is getting so big now that they’re really crowding your lungs, which can make it more difficult to breathe. But if this difficulty is persistent or accompanied by chest pain, you should mention it to your doctor. 

Some folks may notice a bit of yellowish fluid leaking from their breasts. Whether it’s dripping in the shower or making your bra stick to you – it’s normal. This is one sign that your breasts have already started to produce colostrum. Colostrum is designed to be Baby’s first super-food, packed with all kinds of crucial nutrients and antibodies that can help give their immune system a massive boost. If you want to protect your shirts for the next few weeks, consider investing in some breast pads or lined nursing bras. If you haven’t noticed any leaking, that is completely normal too. 

You may also keep feeling those Braxton-Hicks contractions, which might last about 30 seconds. These random contractions are normal, particularly in the third trimester, and they’re your body’s way of preparing for labor and birth. But if you have more than four painful contractions in an hour, this could be a sign of premature labor, so call your healthcare provider right away. Other signs of early labor are leaking fluid or vaginal bleeding, lower back pain, and increased pressure in your pelvis. 

And since Baby will be joining your family sooner than you think, it is a great time to think about packing your hospital bag! This should include clothes, toiletries, and anything else you may need for a short stay at the hospital or birthing center.  Check out our hospital bag checklist in the app if you need some inspiration! This is also a good time to see if the facility where you plan to give birth requires or allows pre-registration. Pre-registration can help you cut out time spent filling out paperwork while you’re in labor. Keep readying yourself for the big day — it’s now just a few weeks away!

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Even though Baby is 15-16 inches tall, the length of a small pineapple, and pretty close to birth height, your little one only weighs about 2.5 pounds. Baby’s muscles and lungs continue to mature this week, but your baby still has a lot of fat to develop in the next eleven weeks. So keep up with a nutritious diet eating a range of foods that help you feel good. And be sure to continue to include protein, Vitamin C, and iron in the mix so your baby’s growth stays steady, strong, and on track.

Baby will still be moving and grooving in your womb, so keep paying attention to their movements! You may notice your little one’s movements becoming less abrupt and more regular as they grow and have less room to wiggle. You may even see some movement or stretching from the outside! Kick counts can be a useful tool if you’re ever worried Baby isn’t moving like they normally do.

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There are many discomforts you might be dealing with right now that are, for better and for worse, a totally normal part of pregnancy. Your body is releasing hormones that relax your muscles and ligaments in preparation for delivering Baby. This can slow your digestion.  For some folks, this means you could be feeling the effects of acid reflux. Your growing uterus, and the pressure it can put on your abdomen, aren’t helping either. There are a lot of things you can do to limit the impact acid reflux has on your life, from switching to smaller, more frequent meals than you’re used to, increasing your water intake, avoiding carbonation and lying on your left side when you sleep. But you should let your healthcare provider know if your indigestion is persistent, and, as always, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medication to treat heartburn while pregnant. 

This slowdown may also mean you’re experiencing constipation, so try to drink plenty of water and eat enough fiber to stay as regular as you can. Frequent bouts of constipation can increase the risk of hemorrhoids.

Varicose veins are another issue that plague a lot of folks during their third trimester. They can appear on your legs or vulva, and elevation, compression, and changes in activity are usually your best bet for treatment.

The third trimester can also cause some unexpected forgetfulness and brain fog as your body works overtime to grow your little one. A good way to manage these symptoms is to get enough rest and stay hydrated. Give yourself lots of grace during this phase, and have your partner, family and friends take over any of the mental load and tasks that they can. Headaches can also pop up for some people. If frequent or intense headaches make it difficult to complete your daily routine, talk to your healthcare provider about safe ways to treat them. And because headaches can be a sign of preeclampsia, a situation that can be dangerous for both you and baby, be sure to let your provider know if you’re dealing with any headaches that don’t respond to your usual treatment. 

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Baby is at full birth size by now, which on average is about 7-8 lbs and 20.2 inches tall — about the size of a fresh watermelon — although these measurements can vary significantly even among healthy babies.

Baby’s skull is not yet fused together so that the plates, or small sections of bone, can overlap when they’re squeezing their way out of the birth canal during labor. This means that your little one’s head might come out looking a bit cone-shaped after birth, but it will become round in the hours and days after they’re born.

It’s true that Baby won’t immediately recognize your face when they first leave the womb and enter the world — after all, at that point, your baby hasn’t seen anything that isn’t the inside of your uterus and their vision isn’t great. But Baby will prefer the sound of your voice to all other sounds, and they’ll be able to recognize it because they’ve been listening to you for months now and learning what you sound like from inside the womb! So as you greet your little one in the outside world, talk to Baby softly or even sing a familiar song. Your sweet baby will be just as excited to finally meet you as you are to meet them!

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If you haven’t given birth to your baby yet, it’s entirely normal to be feeling a bit desperate for Baby to just move out already at this point. You might be dealing with back pain, or feel otherwise uncomfortable this week. If you are pregnant at the end of this week, your healthcare provider might talk to you about additional appointments and monitoring next week or inducing labor before 42 weeks, when the risk of complications for you and Baby get more significant. You may also choose to induce sooner than 42 weeks for non-medical reasons. The important part is having an open discussion about the risks and benefits of any induction for you and your baby. 

Besides a medically induced labor, there are a couple of things you can try that may speed up the process. Staying active with long walks, stimulating your nipples, and engaging in sexual intercourse are some popular ways to try to induce labor from the comfort of your own home. While many of these have not been scientifically proven to have an effect, talk to your provider if you are considering trying to move things along on your own. Keep in mind that your due date is just a rough estimate of when Baby should arrive, and it’s okay if your little one prefers to operate on their own timeline.  

Even if you’re finding it hard to wait for your little one, reaching your due date is worth celebrating. Think of just how far you and Baby have come together. Congratulations, you made it!

Baby is now ready to be born and just waiting for the right time to arrive. Baby is probably between 19-21 inches (48.3-53.3 cm) tall and 7-8 pounds (3.2-3.6 kg), about the size of a small pumpkin. Baby knows your voice by now, and their brain is still developing every day, as it will continue to do outside the womb. By this time, the protective coating that’s been covering their skin, called vernix caseosa, is coming off. And Baby’s fingernails might even be so long they need a little trim! 

When Baby does finally arrive, you’ll want to be extra attentive to their cries because until your little one learns how to talk, crying is your baby’s only way to tell you they need your help. And in these final days when you’re still waiting for Baby to arrive, you’ll want to apply that same sort of care to noticing their movements. Your baby should keep up with their normal movements or kick counts, and if they suddenly start to move less, it could be a sign of a problem. So if you notice this, you should let your healthcare provider know right away.

What’s new with you?

It’s time for you and your home to be ready for Baby’s arrival as best you can because that day will be right around the corner. You’ll definitely want to have your bag packed and ready to go to the hospital or birthing center, know who you want to be there to support you during labor, and be sure you have all of the necessities and care supplies that you’ll need for yourself and baby once you both get home. 

Signs of approaching labor will be able to give you a better idea of when Baby is coming, but at the end of the day, birth is unpredictable. Even with a scheduled Cesarean or induction, labor can pop up before you planned! Because of this, you should know signs of labor, and be prepared to make a hospital trip at any time in the coming few weeks. On the flip side, labor may not start by your due date or when you’d hoped. Baby could decide they’re plenty comfortable where they are, so don’t worry if you haven’t had any contractions yet. Mentally and physically, it can be tough to wait for things to happen, but trust us when we say that they’ll happen sometime soon!

As the big day approaches, remember that your little one entering your life is going to be a big change — there will probably be tender moments and tough moments — but you’ll learn as you go, as all parents do, and Baby is already so lucky to have you!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team