Want to know how big is your baby inside your belly? This post will help you do so. A baby grows every day, and you can compare its growth to various fruits and vegetables of similar size to get a rough idea about the growth. Although ultrasounds help you see your baby and ensure their well-being, they do not give a clear idea of the size. Read on to know about the week-by-week comparison of your baby’s size through fruits similar to its size.
Week-by-week Baby Size
Here, we compare the baby’s size with that of a fruit, so that you can let your imagination loose, and begin drawing a picture of your baby (1) (2).
Click here to view an enlarged version of this infographic
Weeks 1 to 3
The size of the baby is not measurable during this period. You may not even know that you are pregnant during this time. Your days of pregnancy start from the first day of your last period. Ovulation takes place in week two, which means before that you are not pregnant, but the body is preparing for your pregnancy by forming the uterine lining. The egg gets fertilized during your ovulation and the fertilized egg implants in the next week, i.e., third week of your pregnancy.
Week 4
Your baby is an embryo and about the size of a poppy seed. The embryo is made of 32 cells, which separate into three distinct layers that further develop into a body structure. Nausea and indigestion are common in this week. Length: 0.1cm (0.04in) Weight: Less than 1g (0.035oz)
Week 5
The baby is about the size of a peppercorn. You may start experiencing the early symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, headaches, and morning sickness. The development of the heart, spinal cord, brain, and blood vessels begin in the baby during this week. Length: 0.1cm (0.04in) Weight: Less than 1g (0.035oz)
Week 6
Your baby is about the size of a pomegranate seed. By this week, your baby has leaped in size and is well protected by the amniotic sac. An ultrasound helps you listen to the first sign of life — your baby’s heartbeat. Kidneys and liver also start developing. For expectant mothers, mood swings, fatigue, aversion to food and smells are common in this week. Length: Around 1cm (0.4in) Weight: Less than 1g (0.035oz)
Week 7
Your baby’s size has almost doubled and is as big as a blueberry. By this week, the arm buds develop. Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and stomach upset persist. Sore breasts and frequent urination are other symptoms. Length: Around 1cm (0.4in) Weight: Less than 1g (0.035oz)
Week 8
By this week, your baby is taking a human shape and is about the size of a cranberry bean. She is constantly moving inside the womb, though the tiny movements may not be felt prominently. The intestine starts forming and fingers and toes appear webbed. You may feel lethargic. Length: 1.6cm (measured from crown to rump) (0.62in) Weight: 1g (0.035oz)
Week 9
As big as a cherry, your baby has now transformed into a fetus from an embryo. The hands of the baby take a structure by this week. The digestive tract and genitals are in place. Mood swings and morning sickness may persist in you (3). Length: 2.3cm (0.9in) Weight: 2g (0.07oz)
Week 10
By now, your baby is about the size of a kumquat. The eyes are developing with the formation of eyelids and eyebrows. Your appetite might increase around this time. Length: 3.1cm (1.22in) Weight: 4g (0.14oz)
Week 11
Your baby is about the size of Brussels sprout now. The baby’s fingernails begin to grow. Your nausea would begin to reduce by this week. Length: 4.1cm (1.61in) Weight: 7g (0.25oz)
Week 12
Your baby is about the size of a lime. The skeletal structure is in place by this week. You will have low energy due to the hormonal changes. Length: 5.4cm (2.13in) Weight: 14g (0.5oz)
Week 13
Your baby has grown as long as a pea pod by now. Your frequency of urination increases and so is the risk of dehydration. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Length: 7.4cm (2.91in) Weight: 23g (0.81oz)
Week 14
You enter the second trimester and the baby is as big as a lemon by this week. All the internal organs formed will start maturing from this week. The windpipe, vocal cord, esophagus and larynx begin to form. Your baby bump is visible now. Length: 8.7cm (3.42in) Weight: 43g (1.15oz)
Week 15
By this week your baby has grown as big as an apple and has picked the momentum of growth. Lanugo starts developing on the baby’s body to protect the skin. You might experience appetite increase and heart palpitations. Length: 10.1cm (3.98in) Weight: 70g (2.47oz)
Week 16
Your baby has now grown around the size of an avocado. Muscles are strengthening by this week and the baby movements can be felt. Your naval lines become visible by this week. Length: 11.6cm (4.57in) Weight: 100g (3.53oz)
Week 17
By this week, your baby is as big as a turnip. The reproductive system — the uterus and vagina in girls and the penis in boys – begins to take shape this week. Your baby might have hiccupped before, but you might feel it for the first time now. You might have excessive sweating, increased vaginal discharge, and constipation. Length: 13cm (5.11in) Weight: 140g (4.93oz)
Week 18
So, now your baby is as big as a bell pepper. The large intestine and digestive glands are forming by this week. Baby kicks are more distinct. Length: 14.2cm (5.59in) Weight: 190g (6.70oz)
Week 19
Your baby has grown the size of an heirloom tomato. A waxy substance called vernix caseosa starts forming over the baby’s skin. You might begin to gain weight and have a backache by this week. Length: 15.3cm (6.02in) Weight: 240g (8.47oz)
Week 20
This week your baby is as long as a small banana. The genitalia is visible. The baby is measured from head to heel from this week onwards. Baby movements become more prominent. Length: 25.6cm (measured from head to heel) (10.08in) Weight: 300g (10.58oz)
Week 21
Your baby is as long as a carrot by now. The baby’s subtle movements can be felt. You will have a substantial weight gain. Length: 26.7cm (10.51in) Weight: 360g (12.69oz)
Week 22
Your baby is about the size of a spaghetti squash. The eyelids and eyebrows are almost developed by this time. Your mood swings begin to wane. Length: 27.8cm (10.94in) Weight: 430g (15.17oz)
Week 23
By now, your baby measures up to a large mango. The baby’s hearing ability is developing. You will continue to experience frequent urination and fatigue. Length: 28.9cm (11.38in) Weight: 501g (1.1lb)
Week 24
Your baby is now as long as an ear of a corn and has almost attained a human look. The skin is translucent and the blood vessels and internal organs are clearly visible. Sleep disturbance and feeling low in energy are the pregnancy symptoms this week. Length: 30cm (11.8in) Weight: 600g (1.32lb)
Week 25
Your baby is around the size of a rutabaga. The brain is developing a complex structure. Your uterus gets stretched and causes discomfort. Length: 34.6cm (13.62in) Weight: 660g (1.46lb)
Week 26
Your baby is as big as a scallion. The nostrils are opening up and the baby starts to practice breathing. Eyelids begin to open and the brain starts functioning actively. Joint and back pains are the pregnancy symptoms this week. Length: 35.6cm (14.01in) Weight: 760g (1.68lb)
Week 27
By this time, your baby is as big and heavy as the head of a cauliflower. Feeling tired and an increased urge to pee are the pregnancy symptoms. Length: 36.6cm (14.41in) Weight: 875g (1.93lb)
Week 28
Your baby is about the size of a big eggplant and is close to its weight. Lungs start developing with more complex structures. This helps circulate oxygen throughout the baby’s blood vessels. By this week, your uterus stretches further. Length: 37.6cm (14.80in) Weight: 1kg (2.21lb)
Week 29
By this week, your baby is around the size of a butternut squash. The brain starts regulating the body temperature of the baby. The baby begins to gain weight with fat deposition under the skin. Your back pain might increase due to the extra weight and leg cramps occur more often. Length: 38.6cm (15.19in) Weight: 1.15kg (2.54lb)
Week 30
Now, your baby grows into a size of a large cabbage. Your baby’s bones start hardening by this week. You may feel shortness of breath as the stomach is pushed towards the diaphragm. Length: 39.9cm (15.71in) Weight: 1.32kg (2.91lb)
Week 31
By now, your baby attains the size of a coconut. The movements become more organized. You might sweat excessively. Length: 41.1cm (16.18in) Weight: 1.5kg (3.31lb)
Week 32
Your baby now attains the size of a jicama. The baby starts moving to the head-down position. Your hands, face and legs might begin to swell. Length: 42.4cm (16.69in) Weight: 1.7kg (3.75lb)
Week 33
Your baby is almost the size of a pineapple by this time. The baby’s skills and reflexes are developing. You will gain more weight. Length: 43.7cm (17.20in) Weight: 1.9kg (4.23lb)
Week 34
Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe melon. The baby’s optical structure is complete. Your breasts start oozing out colostrum. Length: 45cm (17.71in) Weight: 2.1kg (4.73lb)
Week 35
Your baby is as big and heavy as a honeydew melon. Babies are in vertex position by this week. You will have painful swelling of feet and hands. Length: 46.2cm (18.19in) Weight: 2.3kg (5.25lb)
Week 36
Your baby at this week is close to the size of a romaine lettuce. Here onwards, your baby starts gaining around 1oz per day. The skull is not fused as it overlaps while the baby makes its way through the birthing canal. The position of the baby can be felt down in the abdomen. Length: 47.4cm (18.66in) Weight: 2.6kg (5.78lb)
Week 37
Your baby is now as long as a stalk of Swiss chard. The fetal movements are reduced due to insufficient space inside the womb. Fat starts depositing under the skin to regulate the body temperature and maintain the blood sugar level of the baby. You may notice colostrum leak often by this week. Length: 48.6cm (19.13in) Weight: 2.9kg (6.30lb)
Week 38
Your baby is about the length of a leek. The baby starts shedding the lanugo and is ready for birthing. You can feel uterine contractions during this week. Length: 49.8cm (19.61in) Weight: 3kg (6.80lb)
Week 39
As big as a mini-watermelon, your baby is about to hit full-term. The lungs continue to develop several air sacs to help the baby take its first breath after birth. Your frequency of contractions increase and the cervix becomes smoother and softer. Length: 50.7cm (19.96in) Weight: 3.3kg (7.25lb)
Week 40
Your baby is now about the size of a small pumpkin. Around 15% of the baby’s body is comprised of fat that helps it stay warm after the birth. Your labor can start any time now (8). Length: 51.2cm (20.16in) Weight: 3.4kg (7.63lb)
