Early term begins as the lungs finish maturing
Baby this week: about 48 cm — head to heel · about 2.9 kg
≈ 48 cm — about the size of a bundle of romaine lettuce
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size · head-down, ready position
Your baby this week
- The lungs are close to fully mature, an important milestone for breathing after birth
- A firm grasping reflex has developed in the hands
- The baby continues gaining fat, which helps with temperature regulation after birth
- Most babies are now in a head-down position, preparing for delivery
Your body this week
- Nesting instincts — a burst of energy to prepare and organize — are common around this point
- Pelvic pressure and more frequent trips to the bathroom often continue
This week's tip: If you haven't finished your hospital bag, aim to have it ready by now — many providers suggest packing it by around week 36.
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.