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Third trimester: What's happening to your baby

As your baby grows, your uterus stretches with it. Now that your baby is nearly ready to be born, he or she takes up more room in your uterus than before.

Your baby may settle into a favorite position, and you may begin to easily identify where those little kicking feet and tiny stretching arms are.

As this trimester progresses, babies often settle into a head-down position and move lower into the pelvis. After that time, your baby may be a bit more cramped for space and the movements you feel will be a bit different.

Baby's development: Weeks 27 to 40

Week 27Baby's hair is longer.
Eyelashes and eyebrows are very noticeable.
Week 28Illustration of a fetus in the 28th week of developmentEyes are open and sensitive to light.
Baby is about 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds.
Week 29Baby gains about 7 ounces a week.
Week 30Taste buds develop.
All of baby's senses are developed.
Week 31Vernix (a creamy coating on the skin) and lanugo (fine hairs) begin to disappear.
Baby's head is more in proportion to the body.
Week 32Skin is less wrinkled, but baby is still thin.
Baby is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds.
Week 33Baby's movements can be seen on the outside of the mother's abdomen.
Week 34Skin is becoming more pink.
Baby is blinking.
Week 35Fingernails and toenails have grown to the end of baby's fingers and toes.
Week 36Illustration of a fetus at 36 weeks of development.All organs are now mature.
Skin is red but smooth.
Baby is about 19 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds.
Week 37Deposits of fat continue to form.
Baby is considered full-term.
Week 38Baby gains 1 ounce a day.
Baby may move down into pelvic area.
Week 39Fine hair remains only on arms and shoulders.
Fingernails are now beyond the ends of fingertips.
Week 40Baby is fully developed.
Baby is about 20 inches long and weighs 7 to 8 pounds.



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Source: Allina Patient Education, Beginnings: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, fourth edition, ISBN 1-931876-14-2

First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 06/19/2003

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts

 

 

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