Pregnancy Month 9 (Weeks 33โ€“40) โ€” Development, Symptoms & Tips

Month 9 spans weeks 33-40 โ€” the final stretch. Full term at week 37. GBS test at week 36. Baby ready for birth. Due date is at week 40.

PREGNANCY MONTH 9 ยท WEEKS 33โ€“40 ยท 3rd TRIMESTER

BABY AT START OF MONTH

๐Ÿˆ

honeydew melon

MONTH

9

of 9 ยท Weeks 33โ€“40

Wk 3380โ€“100% completeWk 40

BABY AT END OF MONTH

๐Ÿ‰

watermelon

51.8cm ยท 3.46 kg

WEEK-BY-WEEK DEVELOPMENT โ€” MONTH 9 (WK 33โ€“40)

33

Week 33-34: Lungs and CNS maturing rapidly. Baby likely head-down.

34

Week 35-36: Nearly full term. GBS test at week 36. Lungs almost mature.

35

Week 37: Full term โ€” safe to deliver. All organs mature.

36

Week 38-40: Final preparations. Labour imminent.

๐ŸŒธ HOW YOU MAY FEEL

Final stretch. Baby dropping lower (lightening). Cervix softening. Labour signs to watch for. Hospital bag must be ready.

COMMON SYMPTOMS โ€” MONTH 9

Pelvic pressure as baby dropsNesting instinctMucus plug lossBraxton Hicks intensifyingCervical changesLightening (breathing easier)

APPOINTMENTS & TESTS โ€” MONTH 9

๐Ÿ“‹

Weekly check-ups from week 36

๐Ÿ“‹

Group B Strep test (36w)

๐Ÿ“‹

Biophysical profiles if overdue

๐Ÿ“‹

Induction discussion (41-42w)

๐Ÿ’ก MONTH 9 TIP

Week 37 is full term โ€” it is now safe for labour to begin. However, 39-40 weeks gives the baby extra time for brain and lung maturation. If labour has not started by 41-42 weeks, induction is typically offered.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens in month 9?

Month 9 (weeks 33-40) โ€” final month and birth: Weeks 33-34: Lungs and CNS maturing. Most babies head-down. Weeks 35-36: GBS test at week 36. Lungs nearly mature. Week 37: Full term โ€” safe to deliver. All organs mature. Weeks 38-40: Labour imminent. Due date at week 40. Baby size at end of month 9: watermelon (~51.8cm, ~3.5kg) Key milestone: full term at week 37, GBS test at week 36, due date at week 40.

RELATED CALCULATORS

MORE PREGNANCY CALCULATORS

Was this calculator helpful?

Pregnancy month 9 ยท Weeks 33โ€“40 ยท 3rd trimester ยท Sources: ACOG, NHS, WHO