8 months pregnant
At 8 months pregnant (weeks 32 to 35), your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon and is getting ready for birth. Most babies turn head-down this month. Pack your hospital bag.
Which weeks are 8 months pregnant?
8 months pregnant covers weeks 32 to 35, in the third trimester. Doctors count pregnancy in weeks from the first day of your last period, so months are only approximate. Not sure how far along you are? Try our how many weeks pregnant am I calculator.
Week 32 Week 33 Week 34 Week 35
Your baby at 8 months pregnant
Your baby is practising breathing, sucking and swallowing. Antibodies pass from you through the placenta to protect your baby after birth. The bones harden, except the skull, which stays soft so the head can mould during birth. The kidneys are fully developed, and most growth now is fat. By the end of the month your baby weighs about 2.4 kg.
By the end of the month:
| Size | About the size of a honeydew melon |
|---|---|
| Length | about 46 cm head to heel |
| Weight | about 2.4 kg |
Your body at 8 months pregnant
Your bump is big and sleep can be hard. Heartburn, breathlessness, pelvic pressure, swelling and leaking urine when you sneeze are common. Braxton Hicks may be stronger. Your baby's movements may feel more like rolls and pushes as space gets tight, but they should not become less frequent.
Common symptoms at 8 months pregnant
- Trouble sleeping
- Heartburn
- Pelvic pressure
- Swollen feet and hands
- Stronger Braxton Hicks
- Leaking urine when you cough or sneeze
Your checklist for month 8
- Pack your hospital bag by 36 weeks.
- Plan your route to hospital and save the number in your phone.
- Consider perineal massage from 34 weeks.
- Keep tracking your baby's movements every day.
- Prepare some meals for after the birth.
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor or maternity unit straight away for bleeding, severe tummy pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache or vision changes, sudden swelling of the face or hands, a high temperature, or, from about 24 weeks, if your baby is moving less than usual.
Questions about being 8 months pregnant
Do babies move less at 8 months?
No. Movements may feel different because there is less room, but your baby should move as often as usual. Call your maternity unit straight away if movements slow down or change.
What if my baby is breech at 8 months?
Many babies turn head-down by 36 weeks. If your baby is still breech at 36 weeks, your doctor may offer ECV, a procedure to turn the baby, or discuss a planned caesarean.