Eyes begin to open
Baby this week: about 33.7 cm — head to heel · about 760 g
≈ 33.7 cm — about the size of a large cauliflower
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
Your baby this week
- Eyelids start to part, and the eyes can open for brief periods
- The fetus may respond with movement to light shone against the belly
- Footprints and fingerprints are fully formed on tiny hands and feet
- Breathing motions using amniotic fluid are practiced regularly, preparing the lungs for real air
Your body this week
- Blood pressure checks become a routine part of appointments as pregnancy progresses
- Some notice swelling in the hands or feet, especially by the end of the day
- One kind of swelling is different: sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, a severe headache that does not go away, vision changes, or pain just below the ribs can signal preeclampsia — contact your maternity unit now.
This week's tip: Drinking plenty of water and reducing salty snacks can help minimize everyday swelling.
When to get help now
Contact your maternity unit now, even at night, if your baby is moving less than usual or the pattern has changed, you have any vaginal bleeding, fluid leaks from your vagina, you have regular or painful contractions before 37 weeks, or you have a severe headache, vision changes, pain just below the ribs or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet. Do not wait until the next day.
Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.