Most of baby’s bones will now harden, except for their skull. This is to help ease exit through the birth canal. The fine hair which covered baby’s body is starting to disappear and actual hair is now present. Fat will accumulate and the arms and legs will become plumper this week.

Your baby’s development

With only six weeks left, your growing baby measures up to 45cm in length and weighs in at just under 2kg. By now, your baby’s skin has really started to thicken, with a layer of fat stored beneath for insulation and nourishment.

The vernix coating (a white, creamy, naturally occurring biofilm that protects your baby’s skin) is getting thicker, while the lanugo hair has almost gone.

You will continue to provide your baby with antibodies, to strengthen their immune system and prepare them for life in the outside world. At this stage, most babies will be in a head-down position for delivery.

Your Body

You will probably be feeling very tired and restless during your final few weeks. It’s not surprising, since your body has been under a lot of physical strain and discomfort.

Now is the ideal time to put your feet up and reserve your energy for the birth. However, you need to be careful. If you’ve been lying or sitting down for a long while, blood can pool in your legs and feet, causing a brief drop in blood pressure. Therefore, avoid getting up too quickly as this can make you feel dizzy.

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Please note: These pregnancy week-by-week articles, are meant to give you a general sense of the growth and development going on within you. However, it’s important to remember that every baby develops differently, even during pregnancy.