Fingernails reach the fingertips
Baby this week: about 42.5 cm — head to heel · about 1.7 kg
≈ 42.5 cm — about the size of a jicama
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
Your baby this week
- Fingernails have grown to reach the tips of the fingers
- Toenails are close behind, still growing in
- The fetus is practicing breathing movements more regularly, though the lungs aren't fully mature yet
- Many babies begin settling into a head-down position around this time, though it's common for this to happen later too
Your body this week
- Braxton Hicks contractions may become more frequent, especially with activity or dehydration
- Sleep positions become more limited as the belly grows larger
This week's tip: From 28 weeks, go to sleep on your side, left or right, for every sleep including daytime naps; going to sleep on your back is linked with a higher risk of stillbirth. If you wake up on your back, just turn onto your side.
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.