The skull stays flexible to help with the journey through birth
Baby this week: about 43.6 cm — head to heel · about 1.9 kg
≈ 43.6 cm — about the size of a pineapple
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
Your baby this week
- Skull bones remain soft and separate, allowing them to overlap slightly during birth
- The fetus's immune system continues strengthening with antibodies from the parent
- Space is getting tighter, so movements may feel like slower rolls and pushes rather than sharp kicks
- Bones throughout the body continue hardening, except for the skull
Your body this week
- Swelling in the ankles and feet is common, especially by evening
- Pelvic pressure and mild discomfort can increase as the baby settles lower
This week's tip: Everyday ankle swelling is common, but sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, a severe headache, vision changes or pain just below the ribs can signal preeclampsia — contact your maternity unit now.
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.