Pregnancy Calendar

First Trimester

In terms of your baby's development this period is spectacular – from just a couple of cells your baby will become a tiny human being with everything in place and ready to grow in just a couple of months. Amazing! Find out when your baby will develop things like toes, fingers, eyelids and ears, not to mention the all important heart, brain and spinal cord. Also read about morning sickness, fluctuating emotions, growing breasts (yes pregnancy is not all bad), tiredness and when to start thinking about your first antenatal check-up.

Cick on image to view larger size

Conception & Weeks 1-2

Congratulations on your decision to have a baby! Your most fertile time of the month is when you ovulate, which is approximately 14 days after the first day of your last period if your cycles are regular. Read up on other ways to tell when you're ovulating here. Once the egg is released from the ovary, it can survive for up to 24 hours inside your body; because sperm can typically live for 5 days within a woman's body, the fertile interval therefore begins 5 days before ovulation.  The highest likelihood of conception is when intercourse occurs a few days prior to and on the day of ovulation. Don't let that stop you from practicing outside of this time frame of course!

If your period is late, it's time to test - more than 80% of women will have a positive urine pregnancy test one day after the expected menses, and almost all will have a positive test 1 week after the expected menses.  You can find pregnancy tests in the supermarket or just ask your pharmacist for one! A quick look at our Pregnancy & Birth Chinese Vocab sheet reveals that pregnancy test in Chinese is 试孕纸 or shìyùnzhǐ – what could be easier to pronounce?

If you're lucky to spot that wonderful sign of life when you do finally get your hands (and urine) on a pregnancy test, your estimated due date (EDD) is 40 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual cycle. Wait? Isn't that 4 weeks ago already? That's right – by the time you get round to testing, you are at least 4 weeks pregnant already, hurrah! Only 36 weeks to go and counting…

Weeks 3-4

Once the sperm penetrates the egg, it is considered fertilized and becomes a zygote (cool name huh? Not an alien spaceship then…).  The zygote has 46 chromosomes, 23 from mom and 23 from dad, which determine the baby's genetic make up – imagine half of you and half of your partner running around...  cute!

After fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus, rapidly dividing into lots of cells that already now are forming into groups: the inner group of cells will become the embryo (= your baba), and the outer group will become the membranes and placenta that support and protect it.

It can take up to 48 hours before this cluster of cells (about 50 to 60 and multiplying rapidly), or blastocyst (another name already??), attaches to the inside of the uterus. This process of attachment is called implantation. Implantation normally occurs 5 to 8 days after fertilization, so three weeks approximately after the first day of your last period. This is also when IVF (in vitro fertilization) embryos are normally transferred into the uterus – three weeks into your pregnancy and you and your baba finally get to connect!

Following implantation, the placenta (= baby's round the clock Sherpa's home delivery service), also starts to form.  This lovely thing called Human Gonadotropin Hormone (hCG) is then released, responsible for those wonderful early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and breast tenderness. It's this same hormone that is detectable in pregnancy tests so we'll forgive it for bringing us some good news too.

At the end of week 4 the embryo measures approximately 2-5 millimeters – wow! 

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

Week 5

In week 5 of pregnancy your baby is really only 3 weeks old, if you are still basing your calculations on that steamy night of conception. It’s already the size of a grain of rice though; about 5-10 millimeters, so think about that next time you order a bowl of “mi fan” on the side!

Amazingly, the heart, brain, spinal cord, and other organs begin developing, and the rudimentary heart starts to beat at about 5 ½ to 6 weeks!

Cick on image to view larger size

Your body is also working hard to support your baby’s growth: amniotic fluid begins forming (=your baby’s hot tub and cushion from the outside world), and the umbilical cord develops, connecting your baby with the placenta and providing it with oxygen and nourishment.

You are probably feeling nauseous, excited and a little bit more emotional than usual… commercials with children running into their mother’s arms might provoke more of a reaction than they used to! Also expect exhaustion so make sure you’re getting plenty of rest.

Week 6

The embryo now measures about 6 millimeters, and the neural tube along its back is closing. Although growth is very rapid, the spinal cord grows more quickly in comparison to the embryo, giving it a tail like appearance. At this early stage already the brain is growing more complex; the heart is pumping blood; limb buds are visible; and the formation of the eyes, lips, inner ear and nose begins.

Probably around now you will start to experience morning sickness if you haven’t already – this is wrongly named because morning sickness can actually hit you at any time of day. To avoid it, try eating frequent snacks or meals (keep those salt crackers handy!), and there are mums who swear by ginger tea to help keep the nausea down… That and lots of fresh air and movement if you can face it!

Week 7

In week 7 your embryo is already a massive 10 millimeters big (1/2 inch) – compare that with just a few weeks ago and you’ll be pleased you aren’t the one tripling in size!

All major organs have begun to form; the brain in particular grows faster than the others and is also much larger in proportion to the rest of the body. Your baby has its priorities firmly in place – this week its heart has started dividing into chambers, and its intestines are moving into the umbilical cord, because there’s no space for them in your baby’s tiny little abdomen.

Very important for giving you hugs later on; the arm buds have grown (looking like paddles, eek!) and fingers and toes are starting to form. The face, eyes and ears are also developing – if you could look closely you would already see nostrils, eye lenses and eye sockets making their first appearance! No less amazingly, your little embryo already has its own blood type.

If you are feeling low and irritable right now don’t worry – it’s those hormones and it will get better! Try sharing your feelings with your husband, a good friend or your medical advisor if things get really bad.

Week 8

That little person inside just won’t stop growing – it’s now about 17-20 millimeters big which is ¾ inch or about the size of a kidney bean. At the beginning of the 8th week the fingers are distinct and webbed, but by the end of the week the fingers and toes are longer and free – ready to tickle you with! The eyelids have also formed though they remain closed during development until about 28 weeks. The upper lip and nose are forming, and the embryo can already be seen on an ultrasound, so start thinking about booking that first antenatal appointment!

Unfortunately the chances are you probably aren’t feeling too great at this point but take it as a good sign – baba is doing well and getting bigger and bigger! If you are experiencing any strange food cravings try to respond within reason – replace strawberry ice cream with fresh yoghurt and berries, for example? Not quite the same, we know, and a lot harder to find in Shanghai!

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

Speaking of strawberries, your little embryo now measures about 25 millimeters (=1 inch), or the size approximately of a strawberry. This is one funny shaped strawberry though - the arms and bones are growing, and you can even see elbows! Fingers and toes are also more defined, and the upper lip, nose, ears, mouth and tongue are further developing, though it'll be a while before your little strawberry can process any of the sensory information it receives through these.

Cick on image to view larger size

At the end of this week your baba will have completed a major developmental step; all the major organs are now in place and to celebrate, your baba gets a special new name (no it's not strawberry). Your partner might have his own private reasons for celebrating this week – your breasts will most likely have gone up a full cup size or more! Pity they're too sensitive for him to come anywhere near though, right?

Week 10

You were just getting used to thinking of baba as an embryo and it goes and changes name again – now it's called a fetus. This is good, because it signals the end of the most important part of your baby's development, phew!

So, your fetus now measures about 30-40 millimeters (1-1½ inches) which, we think, is absolutely amazing, even though we've already used that word an awful lot... The feet are about 2 millimeters long; the head is becoming more round and the neck is developing. Muscles are almost fully developed and cartilage and bone are forming, which surely explains your cravings for chocolate flavored ice cream right now, or does it? It's the calcium, yes, you will be needing lots of calcium around now!

Week 11

Your little fetus measures about 40-50 millimeters (1½-2 inches) and weighs about 8 grams (1/3 ounce) – not a lot but compare it with 8 weeks ago and it's a giant.

The head still makes up about half of the fetus, reproductive organs are further developing (= your ticket to future grandchildren, yey!) and red blood cells are forming in the liver. You might want to start watching what you're eating though if you don't want your little baba to accept only chocolate ice cream for dinner - tooth and taste buds are also developing!

Around this week you will most likely have your first dating scan – bring your partner along, a box of tissues and prepare to be... you guessed it... amazed!

Second Trimester

You made it! Early pregnancy symptoms like nausea, tiredness and sore breasts should start to ease off, and, more importantly, you are at a much lower risk of miscarriage than before. The second trimester can be a funny time, because up until you feel your baby move (around 18-20 weeks), there may be days when you wonder if you're still pregnant! Rest assured that you most likely still are, but never hesitate to consult your doctor if you have any symptoms that worry you like bleeding, cramps, or severe abdominal pain.

Week 12

This week your fetus measures about 50-60 millimeters (2- 2½ inches) and weighs in at a hefty 14 grams (1/2 ounce) – a pack of sugar, anyone? Despite its' tiny size, the fetus now has a human profile. Also, the pancreas begins producing insulin, and finger and toenails have started to appear on the wee fingers and toes. Don't forget to pack scratch mittens in your hospital bag by the way – your baby's going to need them, if you think that they've started growing now already and there are a full 28 weeks left to go!

During wake time, your baby is busy kicking and stretching in his own private little jacuzzi, though it will be a while before you can feel it. What you will most likely feel already, however, is that your favorite skin tight jeans no longer fit, sniff... There are ways to get around this e.g. tying an elastic band around the opening of trousers and skirts to accommodate your growing bump, but who wants to do this if you now have the perfect excuse to do some shopping? Check out our Directory & Resources page for fabulous places to find maternity wear in Shanghai.

Week 13

The fetus measures about 65-75 millimeters (2½-3 inches), and the intestines have moved from the umbilical cord into the abdomen where they belong. The fetus begins producing urine that goes into the amniotic fluid, and bone begins replacing cartilage, so as soon as your baby gets a little bit stronger, you will definitely be feeling those kicks!

Also, by now your symptoms should really have started to go away. Really, truly, so you can relax into your pregnancy and look forward to the months ahead. This is the best time to be pregnant – your skin is most likely glowing, your hair is thicker, your energy levels are back and you are starting to show, but because people aren't 100% sure yet they won't start commenting on how big/small you are or trying to rub your bump for luck just yet... pleasures to come!

This is a good time for you to plan a quick getaway for just you and your partner or older kids to enjoy – check out our Travel section for some exciting suggestions on places to see within China!

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

This week your fetus measures about 80-90 millimeters (3-3½ inches), and weighs about 45 grams (1 ½ ounces). By now you might be able to determine the sex of the fetus on an ultrasound (more clearly if it's a boy!), though its early days still. The eyes are moving from the side of the head towards the center of the face and your baby can hear! That's right! Start singing, and get your partner to practice reading bedtime stories to your growing bump. Ok he might be embarrassed to (some Dads are), or he could surprise you by wanting to hog your tummy every night for some quality time just him and his child... We leave you be the judge of which one is better.

Cick on image to view larger size

Week 15

The fetus is growing very quickly and starting to develop more bones – ouch when those teeny weeny bones start connecting with your rib cage! The fetus is working at some minor embellishments right now – fingernails, toenails and the inner ear are all on the agenda for development this week, not to mention scalp hair, which is forming a distinct pattern on baby's head.

You have probably started to mourn your slowly disappearing waistline... all we can say is we've been there before and yes it really does come back! Don't go packing pre-pregnancy jeans in your hospital bag though – it'll take a while for your body shape to get back to normal but with the right nutrition and lots of exercise we promise you it will. If you wanted to be really organized you could start researching postnatal fitness classes in our Directory & Resources, though there's still plenty of time to go for that... better focus on the prenatal ones for now!

Week 16

This week the eyes are no longer set wide and begin facing forward. Combine this with the ears that are moving into their final position (from being very low set) and your baby is looking more and more human! Lanugo, a soft downy hair covering the body, also begins to appear - this will go away after birth.

Take more breaks if you can – being pregnant is tiring stuff! Your fetus is taking no breaks in terms of all the growing it has to do... that, combined with all the kicking and jumping it is doing makes us tired just to think of it, yawn.

Week 17

Your fetus begins developing layers of fat beneath its skin – see, you are not the only one putting on weight! Not all weight gain in pregnancy is due to your baby, by the way; your uterus is also getting bigger, as is the volume of blood being pumped around your body, and let's not forget your baby's current and future meal tickets – the placenta and your breasts!

Other developments this week include the umbilical cord growing stronger and thicker, and your baby's eyes now properly facing forward, though they remain closed until later on in development (around week 28).

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

The fetus measures about 14 centimeters (=5 ½ inches) and weighs about 200 grams (=7 ounces). The ears are almost fully developed and in the correct position on the side of the head. The fetus begins experiencing sleep-wake cycles – most likely the opposite to yours, sorry! The fetus is also passing urine, and meconium (baby's first stools) begins accumulating in the intestines. You'll get a shock the first time you see that in your beautiful, sweet, newborn baby's diaper!

Cick on image to view larger siz

You or your partner might be experiencing some anxiety about your future role as parents – this is totally normal; having a baby is a massive change, but it has been done before, and will be done again by countless generations of parents, so please don't hesitate to ask for help or advice if you need it. Try discussing any fears you have with other mums, your midwife/doctor, or the all supportive Bumps & Babes community.

Week 19

As the fetus is growing, so is the placenta to support the pregnancy (=baba's meal ticket and source of oxygen). Vernix caseosa, a creamy white substance, covers the skin to protect it from extended exposure to amniotic fluid. By now scalp hair is truly sprouted and growing – have your camera ready in the delivery room; your baby could come out looking just like Elvis!

For girls, the uterus and vagina are forming; girls have about 6 million eggs in their ovaries and will have 1 million at birth. For boys, the genitals are distinct and visible. Grandchildren here we come!

By now you might be feeling the first few flutters of your baby kickboxing around your uterus – yep that wasn't gas, it was him or her! If you are still wondering if it's a he or a she, an ultrasound can almost certainly tell you the sex now if you want to know. There are parents who prefer to wait for the surprise, and others who want to know, so they can start mentally adjusting to the new baby, as well as deal with practicalities such as discussing possible names, and deciding what color to choose for the curtains in the baby's bedroom. They still make mistakes from time to time though, so our advice would be to perhaps choose a nice neutral color that works just as well for both sexes?

Week 20- Halfway there

Congratulations, you are now halfway through your pregnancy. Your favorite little resident now measures about 16 centimeters (6 1/3 inches), and is getting bigger by the day. Hair growth on the rest of the fetus' body has started, and the fetus' skin is getting thicker in preparation for the world outside. Around now you may even begin to feel some light movement? This can happen as late as 22 weeks though, so don't worry if you're not feeling your baby kick your insides just yet – there's plenty more of that to come!

Week 21

The fetus is more active, gaining more weight and laying down fat stores. Bone marrow is producing blood cells, and the small intestine is starting to absorb nutrients. Have you started thinking about names? This might be a good time – other than zygote, embryo, strawberry and fetus of course we mean... Buy yourself a good baby name book, and make sure you pick something that isn't rude or embarrassing in any of the languages your child might one day end up speaking!

Around now you might be experiencing what is commonly known as "baby brain" – all the hormonal changes and exciting developments going on inside your body make other things seem so much less important and so much harder to remember! Use post-it notes liberally and know that you are not alone - other moms will understand and the rest of the world will just have to be that little bit more patient. If they are not, try screaming "DON'T YOU KNOW I'M PREGNANT!!!!" at them at the top of your lungs – if nothing else it should make them physically move away from you pretty quickly...

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

Your baba measures about 19cm (7 ½ inches) and weighs about 460 grams (1 pound). It is now completely covered in lanugo, which also helps hold the vernix on the skin. By now a closer look would reveal that eyebrows and taste buds are forming – with studies showing that what you eat during pregnancy will affect a child's preferences later on in life, make sure it's healthy and varied! You will thank us for this tip when you don't have to fight your child to eat vegetables every single time...

Cick on image to view larger size

Other exciting developments include a regular sleep and wake cycle which is usually in total opposition to yours – what do you mean, you want to sleep when it's nighttime? And have your baby stop kicking you while you try to settle down? Nothing to be done we're afraid... The good news is Dad is normally there at that time of day so he can witness baba's acrobatics show firsthand by putting his hand on your tummy.

If your baby changes its pattern of movements or hasn't been kicking as often as usual do not panic – see if by changing position or drinking something really cold you can shake a reaction out of your baby. If you are still not feeling movements like you usually do, it is worth discussing this with your doctor at your next antenatal appointment. If you are really worried, please call, it's better to be safe than sorry!

Week 23

If you could take a look inside your womb right now, you'd see your fetus now has the proportions of a newborn baby, though much smaller. You'd also see wrinkled skin that is translucent and bright pink, and the formation of finger and footprints that are totally unique – let's hope baba won't be getting into any trouble with those, later on in life! Taste buds are further developing so keep eating those healthy greens. Your fetus is also beginning to demonstrate rapid eye movements – indicating high levels of brain activity while he/she sleeps and therefore maybe dreaming (at least in adults!).

Back to those all important grandchildren - for boys, the testes are descending from the abdomen; for girls, the uterus and ovaries are totally developed, and the ovaries have their lifetime supply of eggs... Isn't nature amazing? Your daughter hasn't even been born yet and already she has what it takes to become a mother herself.

Right now it's still you who is pregnant though! Watch out for leg cramps (calf stretches help), varicose veins (increase the frequency of gentle exercise like walking and perhaps try support stockings?), and piles/hemorrhoids (to prevent these eat more fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and pulses, and drink more water).

Around now you should also start to think about doing some pelvic floor exercises – also known as kegels. You might have noticed a few leakages already when you cough or sneeze? Kegels will help. If you don't know what these are, check out this answer provided by our yoga expert.

Week 24

This week your fetus measures a whopping 21 cm (8 inches) and weighs about 630 grams (1 1/3 pound). In some countries 24 weeks is the point at which your fetus is considered viable – this means it has a chance of survival outside the womb (albeit a relatively small one), and doctors have a legal responsibility to do everything they can to resuscitate the child and maintain its life... All of a sudden, depending where you are, your baby has become a legal entity with rights!

This change is brought about mainly by changes in the baby's lungs, not so much by the visible eyelids, or the growing hair on baba's head, though we think these are very important developments as well! Sweat glands also begin forming this week – you'll be thankful for those when Shanghai summer settles in; and muscular coordination is improving... more kicks, yes please!

Start thinking about practicalities like when to stop working (if applicable), what to do with older children or pets when you go into labor, etc. It's never too early to be prepared!

Week 25

This week your baba's reflexes continue developing, and you might find that it responds to familiar sounds, like your voice, with movement! Its hands are now fully formed, and baba's bones are becoming more solid. At this stage baba's brain is still growing and brain cells are maturing – forgive us for questioning nature's sense of priorities, but baba's sexual organs are now fully developed!

Now there is less to worry about in terms of your baby's development, you might start turning your attention to labor and how you're going to cope. Here is a valuable piece of Bumps & Babes advice: don't listen to too many other women's labor stories, particularly the bad ones, because every labor is different, and there's no point getting yourself all worked up. Also ignore the women who gloat about how easy it was for them to sail through on breathing exercises alone – again, every labor is different, and there's no point getting yourself all tangled up in feelings of guilt or failure if things don't quite work out the way you want them to! The goal of labor is to deliver a baby – if this is accomplished you can be proud, no matter how it comes about.

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

Your fetus now measures about 23 cm (9 inches) and weighs approximately 820 grams (2 pounds). That's still less than a 1kg packet of flour, though you most probably feel like you're carrying a few of those around by now! That's because you're carrying around more water than before, as well as more blood and a growing uterus and placenta.

Cick on image to view larger size

Fingernails are now fully developed – don't worry, you won't feel any scratching as baby makes its way out! That's not to say you won't feel any other minor inconveniences such as contractions during labor, nope, rest assured you will feel absolutely no scratching!

You should be taking a good antenatal class by now where you can learn about yoga poses, breathing techniques and other natural ways to promote relaxation during labor; check out our Directory & Resources for classes held close to where you live, or read about relaxation techniques for labor here.

Week 27

Your baby's lungs and nervous system are becoming more mature. Hearing is even more developed, and eyebrows and eyelashes are increasingly visible. The finishing touches are nearly all in place!

You will now be more and more aware of baba's wake-sleep cycle. Yes, we know, it's annoying that it seems to be exactly the opposite of yours! Just see it as preparation for life with a newborn...

Third Trimester

You're on the home run, woohoo! Just sit back and watch yourself get bigger, and bigger, and bigger. That can be scary, but remember, PREGNANCY DOES NOT LAST FOREVER, and you will return to a more normal figure soon, we promise! The good news is you are about to meet your baba, and every week marks a greater chance of it surviving outside your womb with limited medical assistance or complications. This is a miracle to truly be grateful for.

Week 28

At the start of the third trimester your fetus measures about 25 cm (10 inches) and weighs about 1000grams (2 ¼ pound) – now we're talking! The feet are about 5.5 cm (2 inches) long, its eyelids are starting to open and the eyes start to move in their sockets. Underneath the gums teeth have developed, and hair on the head is clearly visible. The wrinkles are starting to smooth out as the fetus gains more weight. If little baba is born at this point, it has a high likelihood of surviving (90%) without any major problems. These odds improve with each week, but it is still better for the fetus to continue grow.

As you prepare for life with a newborn, take a look at our comprehensive shopping lists, and start packing your hospital bag! You might also want to read up here on what to do and where to go in case of a premature delivery in Shanghai – we certainly don't wish it on you, but it can happen to anyone, and it's better to be prepared!

Week 29

At 29 weeks baby's bones are fully developed, but still very soft – this is good for delivery because otherwise the little baba wouldn't be able to get through. Bumps & Babes is convinced that babies' bones stay rubbery for a long time after birth too by the way, or how else would they survive learning to walk?

Around now you might start developing crazy nursing instincts like wanting to clean the house from top to toe, or all of a sudden deciding all important papers need filing away alphabetically and by date, or getting rid of the entire contents of your storage cupboard because there is just way too much clutter in there... We have been there, it's totally normal. We would say indulge it, your husband is hardly going to complain, is he? Ok maybe no vacuum cleaning at 2am and don't be too harsh on your ayi but for the rest, go for it! It's you getting ready to welcome your baby into a perfect, harmonious and serene environment (that's up until the point when baby actually comes home, ahem).

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

Only 10 weeks left to go – you are really on the final stretch! Little baba now measures about 27cm (10 ½ inches) and weighs about 1300 grams (3 pounds). The eyes are now wide open for the majority of the time – not that there's much to see inside your womb, but you might get a kick out of baba if you shine a bright torch in its eyes! Wrinkled skin is becoming smoother and your baba may now have more head hair – all in preparation for the first pictures you're going to want to share with your family and friends! Red blood cells are also forming in the bone marrow, and in boys, the testicles have moved into the groin.

Cick on image to view larger size

Your breasts may start leaking colostrum around now as they get ready to feed what at times can feed like an insatiable little monster! If this worries you, read here what one of our experts has to say on the matter; and if you don't start leaking colostrum around now please don't worry either - your chances of successfully breastfeeding baba are still intact. That's if you do and can decide to breastfeed – check out our information sections on breast- and formula feeding to help get you started whichever way you decide to go.

Week 31

The fetus' central nervous system now controls its own body temperature. That should help if you're going through your third trimester in either the middle of winter or summer in Shanghai!

Your bump is probably starting to get quite big and things like sleeping, tying your shoelaces etc. can become more of a challenge with that thing in your way the whole damn time! Baba still has lots of room to move around and change position though so don't worry if its head isn't pointing down just yet – there's still plenty of time for that!

Week 32

Your fetus now measures about 28cm (11 inches) and weighs approximately 1700 grams (3 ¾ pound). Toenails are now clearly visible, and your fetus will be practicing breathing more regularly – both equally important for life outside the womb, ahem... Mother Nature, we are in awe!

Around now your baba's intestines have started absorbing nutrients and lanugo (the downy hair covering your baby) starts to fall off, though it might stick around for a while after birth as well. The fat layer is getting thicker (as is yours, eek!) and for boys, the testicles move from the groin to the scrotum.

You need to think practical stuff: hospital bag, where to park older children and pets during labor, where your baby will sleep for the first few days and weeks, decorating the nursery, childcare and help for you after the delivery. Finally, have you checked out our shopping lists to make sure you have everything you need?

Week 33

Your baby's pupils are working now and can respond to light and dark – time to have fun with that torch! Lanugo is still disappearing, and amniotic fluid is recycled as the fetus swallows up to 600 milliliters per day, normally during breathing.

You need to exercise, exercise, exercise. It will help you during labor and it will help your body cope with its growing load. If you haven't already, check out our Directory & Resources for appropriate pre-natal classes in Shanghai. Also practice breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, review your birthing plan, and do those Kegels to avoid post-birth leakages! They also help get your sex life back on track – not that that is likely to be too much of a priority for you in the days just after giving birth...

The medical information and images contained in this calendar were provided by Nichole Mahnert, an American-trained Ob/Gyn currently practicing in Shanghai. The calendar was co-authored by our Managing Editor, Ellen Swabey.

You are so close! Your little baba now measures about 30cm (12 inches), with fingernails reaching the end of its fingertips – phew that explains the lack of scratching when they come out, they're not really as long as we thought they would be by now! Fat is accumulating in the legs and arms - good reserves for the first few days after your baby is born - and his/her eyes are now open when awake and closed when sleeping. A proper little human being nearly ready to come out!

Cick on image to view larger size

38 weeks

At birth, your baby will measure about 48-53 centimeters (19-21 inches), and weigh about 2700-4000 grams (6-8 pounds) – for the sake of pushing baba out, we hope your one isn't on the heavier end of that scale! The head bones are more firm, but flexible enough for delivery, and the lungs are in the final stages of maturation.

Cick on image to view larger size