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

Related Links

Fetal movement counts

Signs to call your health care provider

What's happening to your body

Third trimester

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

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts