Settling into the bump
The baby is now practicing breathing motions using amniotic fluid instead of air, a rehearsal for life outside the womb. Eyes can open, and a startle reflex to sudden sound may appear. This month often includes the glucose screening test, a routine check for gestational diabetes, alongside a noticeably rounder bump and increasingly strong, regular movement.
Baby this month: about 35.6 cm — crown to heel, close to the length of an eggplant · about 900 g
≈ 35.6 cm — about the size of a papaya
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
What's developing right now
Begin practicing breathing motions using amniotic fluid, an early rehearsal for after birth.
Can open and close, with eyelashes and eyebrows now visible.
Balance structures mature, and a startle response to loud noise may develop.
Becomes less transparent as fat starts to accumulate underneath.
What your body is doing
- Braxton Hicks contractions, mild and irregular tightening, may start being noticed.
- Swelling in the feet and ankles can appear, especially by the end of the day.
- Stretch marks may become more visible as skin stretches to accommodate growth.
- Sleep can become harder as the bump makes finding a comfortable position trickier.
Eating for this month
Calcium and vitamin D both matter now as the baby's bones continue mineralizing quickly. This is also the month gestational diabetes screening typically happens, so steady blood sugar from balanced meals, rather than large sugar swings, is worth paying attention to. Doctors will advise on any dietary adjustments based on individual results.
Checkups commonly done this month
- 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
Warning signs and what to do
Signs of pre-eclampsia, such as sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, a severe headache, vision changes, or pain just below the ribs: contact your maternity unit now
Regular or painful contractions, period-type pains, or pressure low in the pelvis before 37 weeks, which could mean preterm labour: contact your maternity unit now
Your baby moving less than usual, or a change in the usual pattern: contact your maternity unit now, even at night, and do not wait until the next day
Vaginal bleeding, or a gush or trickle of fluid from the vagina: contact your maternity unit now
Questions people ask
What happens if the glucose screening comes back abnormal?
Depending on where you are tested, the glucose test may be a single diagnostic test or a screening step followed by a longer test. If gestational diabetes is diagnosed, it is usually managed well with diet changes, activity and blood sugar monitoring, and some people also need medicine such as metformin or insulin, guided by their doctor.
Are Braxton Hicks contractions something to worry about?
Generally not. They're irregular, usually painless or mildly uncomfortable tightenings that don't get closer together or stronger over time, unlike real labor contractions. They tend to ease with rest or a position change. Contractions that become regular, painful or frequent before 37 weeks, or come with period-type pains, pressure low in the pelvis or leaking fluid, can be preterm labour — contact your maternity unit now.
Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.