How Big Is Your Baby? Week-by-week Fruit Comparison

Comparing the size will give you an exact idea of how big your little one has grown.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shalini MA, MS Dr. Shalini MA Dr. Shalini MAMS Follow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Gynecology and Fertility Experience: 7 years
Written by , MSc shreeja pillai MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pharma and HealthExperience: 2.5 years
Edited by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Fact-checked by , MSc Aneesha Amonz MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 2 years
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How Big Is Your Baby

Image: Shutterstock

If you have been pregnant for a while, you may want to determine how big is your baby inside your belly each passing day or week. 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 and understand the baby’s development. Although ultrasounds help you see your baby and ensure their well-being, they do not give a clear idea of the neonatal size. Read on to know about the week-by-week comparison of your baby’s size through fruits similar to its size.

In This Article

Week-by-week Baby Size

As the pregnancy progresses, your baby grows in size. Here, we compare the baby’s size with that of fruit and provide a fetal weight estimation. This helps you visualize and understand fetal development week by week easily (1) (2).

Weeks 1 to 3

The baby’s length 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. OvulationiA phase during the menstrual cycle where a mature egg releases from the ovary.  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., the third week of your pregnancy.

Week 4

How big is your baby at week 4

Image: Shutterstock

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 this week.

Length: 0.1cm (0.04in)
Weight: Less than 1g (0.035oz)

Week 5

How big is your baby at week 5

Image: Shutterstock

The baby’s size by week 5 is comparable to a peppercorn. You may start experiencing the early symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, headaches, and morning sickness. The fetal development including 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

How big is your baby at week 6

Image: Shutterstock

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 saciThe thin-walled fluid-filled sac in the uterus where the embryo grows and eventually forms the fetus. . 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

How big is your baby at week 7

Image: Shutterstock

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)

protip_icon Did you know?
A mother’s womb is almost the size of a lemon by the time she is seven to eight weeks pregnant (3).

Week 8

How big is your baby at week 8

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 9

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 10

Image: Shutterstock

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, therefore requiring due consideration for optimum maternal nutrition.

Length: 3.1cm (1.22in)
Weight: 4g (0.14oz)

Week 11

How big is your baby at week 11

Image: Shutterstock

Your baby is about the size of a 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

How big is your baby at week 12

Image: Shutterstock

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 hormonal changes.

Brianna Lovell Myers, an expecting mother, describes her baby’s size at 12 weeks of pregnancy in a unique way. She writes, “Today, I am 12 weeks into my pregnancy. Baby Myers is about the size of a lime (or for you movie nerds in the audience, about the size of that lump of amber with the mosquito in it, in Jurassic Park) (i).”

Length: 5.4cm (2.13in)
Weight: 14g (0.5oz)

Week 13

How big is your baby at week 13

Image: Shutterstock

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)

protip_icon Quick Tip
With an increased blood flow to the pelvic area and hormonal changes expecting mothers may experience increased libido. However, it is also normal not to experience it (5).

Week 14

How big is your baby at week 14

Image: Shutterstock

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, esophagusiA muscular tube that passes food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. and larynxiA part of the respiratory system that helps create sounds and is also called a voice box. begin to form. Your baby bump is visible now.

Length: 8.7cm (3.42in)
Weight: 43g (1.15oz)

Week 15

How big is your baby at week 15

Image: Shutterstock

By this week your baby has grown as big as an apple and has picked the momentum of growth. LanugoiSoft, thin hair that covers the fetus in utero and is shed soon after birth. starts developing on the baby’s body to protect the skin. You might experience an appetite increase and heart palpitations.

Length: 10.1cm (3.98in)
Weight: 70g (2.47oz)

Week 16

How big is your baby at week 16

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 17

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 18

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 19

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 20

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 21

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 22

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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)

protip_icon Quick Tip
You may develop stretch marks on your stomach, breast, and thighs or experience some pre-milk leaking out from your breasts (6).

Week 23

How big is your baby at week 23

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 24

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 25

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at 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

How big is your baby at week 27

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at 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

How big is your baby at 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

How big is your baby at week 30

Image: Shutterstock

Now, your baby grows into the 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

How big is your baby at week 31

Image: Shutterstock

By now, your baby has attained 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

How big is your baby at week 32

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 33

Image: Shutterstock

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

How big is your baby at week 34

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Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe melon. The baby’s optical structure is complete. Your breasts start oozing out colostrumiThick, yellowish, nutrient-rich first milk produced by a mother. .

Length: 45cm (17.71in)
Weight: 2.1kg (4.73lb)

protip_icon Quick Tip
If you experience unusual swelling, headache, or blurry vision, you should seek emergency care as these may be signs of preeclampsia (7).

Week 35

How big is your baby at week 354

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Your baby is as big and heavy as a honeydew melon. Babies are in vertex positioniThe head-down position a baby in preparation for a vaginal birth. by this week. You will have painful swelling of feet and hands.

Length: 46.2cm (18.19in)
Weight: 2.3kg (5.25lb)

Week 36

How big is your baby at week 36

Image: Shutterstock

Your baby 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

How big is your baby at week 37

Image: Shutterstock

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 leaks often by this week.

Length: 48.6cm (19.13in)
Weight: 2.9kg (6.30lb)

Week 38

How big is your baby at week 38

Image: Shutterstock

Your baby is about the length of a leek. The baby starts shedding the lanugo and is ready for birthing, as you approach your due date. You can feel uterine contractions during this week.

Length: 49.8cm (19.61in)
Weight: 3kg (6.80lb)

Week 39

How big is your baby at week 39

Image: Shutterstock

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 increases and the cervix becomes smoother and softer.

Length: 50.7cm (19.96in)
Weight: 3.3kg (7.25lb)

Week 40

How big is your baby at week 40

Image: Shutterstock

Your baby is now about the size of a small pumpkin. Around 15% of the baby’s body is 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)

protip_icon Quick tip
Babies born at around 41 weeks gestational age may have swollen genitals due to maternal hormones; however, it self-resolves (9).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the size of the baby in the womb affect delivery?

A large baby might not fit through the birth canal and cause a long and difficult birthing process, which may result in injuries to the baby or require a c-section (10). Similarly, a small baby may also experience delivery complications, such as insufficient oxygen and blood flow (11).

2. Is it possible for a baby to be larger or smaller than average in the womb?

A baby’s size is determined by several factors, including gestational growth, hereditary, (such as the parents’ height and maternal weight) and nutrition during pregnancy (10) (11).

3. What is fundal height measurement, and how is it used to determine the size of the baby in the womb?

Fundal height is the measurement of the distance from the pubic bone to the uterus’s top, which can vary from person to person. A smaller fundal height than normal indicates slow fetal growth and low amniotic fluid levels, while a larger than expected indicates a large baby with or without adequate amniotic fluid. However, both conditions require medical observation (12).

Comparing the fetal size with fruits is a good way to describe ‘how big is your baby.’ The growing fetus attains measurable size after four weeks when it is comparable to poppy seeds and may become as big as a blueberry by seven weeks. Your baby usually becomes the size of a lemon by the end of the first trimester, a corn cob by the end of the second trimester, and the size of a small pumpkin before birth. It is interesting when some fruits and vegetables remind you of the baby inside. However, each baby is unique and may differ from what is described here.

Infographic: Fetal Development Comparison With Fruits

Although you may start to feel the pregnancy baby bump during your second trimester, the fetus starts developing in the womb from the first month only and grows bigger with each passing week. So, if you’re curious to know more about the fetus’ growth, go through our infographic below, where we’ve provided an easy comparison of a baby’s growth at notable weeks with comparison to fruits for easier understanding.

how big is your baby week by week fruit comparison (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • An embryo may attain the size of a poppy seed by week four.
  • It’s about the size of a lime by the end of the first trimester.
  • As pregnancy progresses, the fetal size may increase, resembling an avocado, an heirloom tomato, a spaghetti squash, and a scallion by week 26.
  • Your little munchkin may reach the size of a small pumpkin by the end of gestation.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. The first trimester.https://medium.com/@bri.lovell.myers/the-first-trimester-55a8ef556f78

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Fetal Development.
    https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Fetal_Development
  2. Pregnancy – week by week.
    https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-week-by-week
  3. You and your baby at 7 weeks pregnant
    https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/1-to-12/7-weeks/#:~:text=By%207%20weeks%2C%20the%20embryo
  4. 9 weeks pregnant.
    https://raisingchildren.net.au/pregnancy/week-by-week/first-trimester/9-weeks
  5. You and your baby at 13 weeks pregnant
    https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/13-to-27/13-weeks/
  6. You and your baby at 22 weeks pregnant
    https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/13-to-27/22-weeks/
  7. You and your baby at 34 weeks pregnant
    https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/28-to-40-plus/34-weeks/
  8. Baby Fat Is About More Than Cuteness.
    https://www.sapiens.org/biology/baby-fat-is-about-more-than-cuteness/
  9. You and your baby at 41 weeks pregnant
    https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/28-to-40-plus/41-weeks/
  10. Large for Gestational Age
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P02383
  11. Small for Gestational Age
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P02411
  12. Anatomy of pregnancy and birth – uterus
    https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/anatomy-of-pregnancy-and-birth-uterus
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Dr. Shalini MA
Dr. Shalini MAMS, OBG
Dr. Shalini MA is a fertility specialist with over seven years of experience in the field of infertility evaluation, IUI, IVF, laparoscopy, high-risk pregnancy, and adolescent care. Currently running her own clinic in Tumkur, Karnataka, Dr.

Read full bio of Dr. Shalini MA
shreeja pillai
shreeja pillaiMSc
Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Mumbai. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company.

Read full bio of shreeja pillai
Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Aneesha Amonz
Aneesha AmonzMSc
Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz
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