At 29-32 weeks, the baby is 18 inches long and weighs about five pounds. You will feel his or her kicks becoming stronger. During this time, the lungs continue to mature, and the baby usually settles into a good position for birth. After 37 completed weeks of gestation, the lungs are mature, and the baby is fully formed and ready to be born. Most babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation and weigh 6-9 pounds and are about 20 inches long.
Pregnancy is a miraculous time of rapid growth and development.
It is truly amazing to consider that in 40 weeks a few cells can grow into a fully developed infant that you can hold in your arms and love. Debbi Schulman is a principal of Planet Motherhood, a division of Zoomers, located in New York. Planet Motherhood offers a contemporary, moderate-priced, edgy maternity clothing line.