The world gets louder
The baby's eyes can now open and close in response to light, and hearing has developed enough to pick up sounds and voices from outside the womb. Rapid brain growth continues, and body fat starts building up steadily to help with temperature regulation after birth. Movements can feel stronger, though patterns of rolling and stretching may replace some sharp kicks as space gets tighter.
Baby this month: about 38 cm — crown to heel, close to the length of an eggplant · about 1.5 kg
≈ 38 cm — about the size of an eggplant
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
What's developing right now
Can open and close, and may respond to bright light shone toward the belly.
Goes through a significant growth spurt, with the surface starting to form its characteristic folds.
Continue maturing, though they still need more time before they could support breathing outside the womb without help.
Accumulates steadily, smoothing out the skin and helping with temperature regulation later.
What your body is doing
- Backaches and pelvic discomfort can increase as the bump grows heavier.
- Shortness of breath may appear as the uterus pushes up against the diaphragm.
- Heartburn is common as digestion slows and space in the abdomen shrinks.
- Third-trimester prenatal visits often become more frequent from this point.
Eating for this month
Omega-3 fats and continued iron and calcium intake support the brain growth spurt and skeletal development happening now. Smaller, more frequent meals can help manage heartburn as the stomach has less room to expand. This is also a good month to keep an eye on steady, gradual weight gain rather than big swings.
Checkups commonly done this month
- 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
Contact your doctor promptly if…
Regular contractions before 37 weeks, which could indicate preterm labor
Severe swelling, headache, or vision changes suggesting preeclampsia
A noticeable decrease in fetal movement
Vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage
Questions people ask
Why do I feel more out of breath now?
As the uterus grows, it pushes upward against the diaphragm, leaving less room for the lungs to expand fully. This is a normal, mechanical effect of a growing pregnancy rather than a sign of a problem for most people, though sudden or severe breathlessness is still worth checking with a doctor.
Could the baby survive if born this month?
Babies born in the seventh month are considered preterm and would need specialized neonatal care, but survival rates and outcomes have improved a great deal with modern care. Every additional week in the womb from here on generally helps the lungs and brain mature further, which is why avoiding early delivery is usually the goal.
Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.