Pregnancy, month by month
What's developing this month, how big your baby is (drawn to scale), what your body is doing, and the foods that genuinely help — without the overwhelm.
≈ 0.4 cm — about the size of a poppy seed
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 3 cm — about the size of a raspberry
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 9 cm — about the size of a lime
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 14 cm — about the size of an avocado
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 26 cm — about the size of a banana
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 32 cm — about the size of a papaya
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 38 cm — about the size of an eggplant
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
≈ 43 cm — about the size of a pineapple
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size · head-down, ready position
≈ 50 cm — about the size of a small watermelon
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size · head-down, ready position
Or follow it week by week
Every week from 4 to 40 — what's new with your baby, what your body is doing, and one useful tip.
Scans & tests, month by month
The checkups commonly done at each stage — schedules vary by country and by your doctor, so treat this as orientation, not a checklist.
- A urine or blood pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy
- An early blood test to check hormone levels, if there's a history of pregnancy loss
- A first conversation with a doctor or midwife to plan early care — schedules vary by country and doctor
- A dating ultrasound to confirm how far along the pregnancy is — commonly done in this window, schedules vary by country and doctor
- Initial blood tests to check blood type, iron levels, and immunity to certain infections
- A review of personal and family medical history with a doctor or midwife
- A dating and viability scan, often combined with first-trimester screening — commonly done between weeks 11 and 13, schedules vary by country and doctor
- Blood tests as part of first-trimester combined screening for certain chromosomal conditions
- Blood pressure and weight checks at a routine prenatal visit
- A quad screen or similar blood test for chromosomal conditions, in places where it's offered — commonly done around weeks 15–17, schedules vary by country and doctor
- Routine blood pressure, weight, and urine checks at prenatal visits
- Discussion of the anatomy scan scheduled for next month
- The detailed anatomy or 'anomaly' ultrasound, commonly done around weeks 18–22, checking organs, spine, and growth — schedules vary by country and doctor
- Blood pressure and urine checks at routine prenatal visits to screen for early signs of complications
- A discussion of the upcoming glucose screening planned for month six
- The glucose screening test for gestational diabetes, commonly done between weeks 24–28, schedules vary by country and doctor
- A blood count check to reassess iron levels as pregnancy progresses
- Routine growth and blood pressure checks at prenatal visits
- A blood test to check for anemia as iron demands peak
- A discussion of the plan for group B strep testing later in pregnancy
- More frequent prenatal visits typically begin around this point — schedules vary by country and doctor
- A repeat ultrasound if growth or position needs a closer look
- Growth ultrasounds to check the baby's size and position, if recommended — schedules vary by country and doctor
- A discussion of birth preferences and plans with a doctor or midwife
- Blood pressure and urine checks at increasingly frequent prenatal visits
- Weekly prenatal visits to check the baby's position, heart rate, and the parent's blood pressure — schedules vary by country and doctor
- A group B strep swab, commonly done around weeks 36–37
- A cervical check in the final weeks, if relevant to the birth plan
- Non-stress tests or growth scans if the pregnancy goes past the due date
Every pregnancy runs on its own clock — sizes and milestones here are typical ranges, not report cards. This guide is educational and never replaces your prenatal care team.