The baby settles into position for birth
Baby this week: about 47 cm — head to heel · about 2.6 kg
≈ 47 cm — about the size of a large honeydew melon
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size · head-down, ready position
Your baby this week
- Most babies have settled into a head-down position by now, a typical presentation for birth
- Digestive and immune systems are close to ready for life outside the womb
- The protective vernix coating is mostly gone
- Movements often feel different now — less rolling, more stretching and pressing, since space is limited
Your body this week
- Weekly checkups often begin around this point to monitor position and progress
- Increased pelvic pressure and a heavier, lower-feeling bump are common
This week's tip: If your baby hasn't turned head-down by now, ask your provider about the options they typically discuss at this stage.
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.