7 months pregnant
At 7 months pregnant (weeks 28 to 31), you're in the third trimester. Your baby is about the size of a coconut, opens its eyes and gains weight quickly. Go to sleep on your side from now.
Which weeks are 7 months pregnant?
7 months pregnant covers weeks 28 to 31, in the third trimester. Doctors count pregnancy in weeks from the first day of your last period, so months are only approximate. Not sure how far along you are? Try our how many weeks pregnant am I calculator.
Week 28 Week 29 Week 30 Week 31
Your baby at 7 months pregnant
Your baby can blink, has eyelashes and can turn its head. The brain is developing rapidly, forming the folds and grooves that make room for more brain cells. Bone marrow takes over making red blood cells and layers of fat build up under the skin. By the end of the month your baby weighs about 1.5 kg and has a good chance of survival if born now, with neonatal care.
By the end of the month:
| Size | About the size of a coconut |
|---|---|
| Length | about 41 cm head to heel |
| Weight | about 1.5 kg |
Your body at 7 months pregnant
Tiredness often returns. Breathlessness, Braxton Hicks, backache, pelvic pain, piles and needing to wee often are common. Some women leak a little colostrum. Your check-ups become more frequent, usually every two to three weeks.
Common symptoms at 7 months pregnant
- Breathlessness
- Braxton Hicks
- Backache and pelvic pain
- Leaking colostrum
- Piles and constipation
- Tiredness returning
Your checklist for month 7
- Go to your 28-week check-up, which often includes blood tests and anti-D if needed.
- Go to sleep on your side for all sleeps, including naps.
- Have the whooping cough vaccine by 32 weeks, and the RSV vaccine if offered.
- Install the car seat and prepare a safe sleep space.
- Learn the signs of premature labour.
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor or maternity unit straight away for bleeding, severe tummy pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache or vision changes, sudden swelling of the face or hands, a high temperature, or, from about 24 weeks, if your baby is moving less than usual.
Questions about being 7 months pregnant
Why should I sleep on my side from 7 months?
Research shows that going to sleep on your back after 28 weeks is linked with a higher risk of stillbirth, because it can reduce blood flow to your baby. Either side is fine. If you wake up on your back, just turn over.
Is itching normal at 7 months pregnant?
Mild itching of your bump is common. Intense itching, especially of the palms and soles and worse at night, can be a sign of obstetric cholestasis and needs a blood test.