7 months pregnant: Development and what to expect

At 7 months pregnant, you’re finally in the 3rd trimester. As this is the trimester you’ll get to meet your baby, it can be filled with anticipation, nerves, and excitement. Month 7 might feel like a good time to get some things checked off your to-do list. You might be planning your baby’s nursery, buying a stroller and other baby gear, or going on a well-deserved babymoon. 

On the other hand, the 3rd trimester can bring new, less-than-exciting pregnancy symptoms. The changes can be uncomfortable — after all, your baby is starting to get pretty big inside your 7-month pregnant belly. To find out more about the symptoms and your baby’s development this month, Flo expert Dr. Renita White, obstetrician and gynecologist, Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia, US, gives us the lowdown. 

And don’t forget: You can also learn about your pregnancy week by week by downloading a pregnancy-tracking app like Flo. 

Key takeaways

• At 7 months pregnant, your baby gains lots of new skills, including opening their eyes, kicking, stretching,  grasping, and hearing your voice.  
• From 31 weeks pregnant, your baby will have finished most of their major development — but they’ve still got lots of growing to do.
• Many people find that fatigue returns in the 3rd trimester. You may also experience new symptoms like Braxton Hicks contractions, which are practice contractions and not linked to actual labor. 
• You can follow the changes in your body and your baby using an app like Flo.  

Fetal development between weeks 28 and 31 of pregnancy

Seven months pregnant is a busy time for your baby, as they finish most of their major development this month. This means that from this point, they’ll be pretty much fully formed; they just need to grow and gain weight. 

Along with gaining new skills in movement, their senses significantly mature this month. “At this stage, the fetus can now hear,” says Dr. White. “They may respond to sound and light stimuli. The fetus also continues to gain more body fat and grow longer.”

Week 28

The first time you hear your baby cry after birth can be a moment you’ll never forget. But amazingly, at 28 weeks pregnant, they are practicing crying facial expressions inside your uterus. It’s not all unhappy faces, though. Between 24 and 35 weeks pregnant, they may also start practicing the facial movements needed for laughing. 

And that’s not the only way your baby is preparing for your first meeting. This week, they may also be starting to turn head-down in your uterus to get ready for birth.  

Week 29

It might feel like your baby’s movements have taken on a different quality lately. It’s not all in your head. At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is able to kick, stretch, and make grasping movements. “At 7 months pregnant, you should be feeling all of the baby’s movements,” says Dr. White. “You will continue to feel rapid jabs and kicks.” 

In other news, this week, your baby might be losing their protective coating. Called the vernix caseosa, your baby started producing this coating back in week 19. The substance has been protecting their delicate skin from the amniotic fluid (which can cause abrasions, chapping, and hardening) and regulating their temperature. A layer of fine hair — called lanugo — has been helping to keep the coating in place. At 29 weeks, that hair may also start to fall off. 

However, not all babies lose their vernix caseosa and lanugo this early — in fact, some babies still have these protective features when they are born. 

Week 30

At 30 weeks pregnant, your baby’s eyes are able to open. Their eyesight will continue to develop after they are born, though. By the time they are three months old, they’ll be able to follow moving objects with their eyes and reach for things. By five months, they should have good color vision — but it won’t be as sophisticated as an adult’s. 

Week 31

By now, your baby will be able to hear voices and music from the outside world. They may be getting familiar with your voice in particular, plus other voices they often hear around them, like your partner’s. They’re also able to distinguish between different types of sounds — like loud or quiet noises — and may become calmer in response to soothing music. This can be the ideal time to try chatting with your baby if you haven’t already or to introduce your baby to your favorite playlists. 

At 31 weeks pregnant, your baby has officially finished most of their major development. In fact, your baby is now looking more baby-like, with plumper, smoother skin. Currently the size of a zucchini, your baby’s next job is to start rapidly gaining weight. 

Symptoms you might experience when 7 months pregnant

As your baby grows, things can get increasingly uncomfortable during the 3rd trimester. You may find yourself feeling more tired and irritable. “Fatigue may return at this stage of pregnancy,” says Dr. White. 

Besides having a rapidly expanding bump, this month, you may notice other new symptoms (although, do remember that everyone experiences pregnancy differently). “Heartburn may start or worsen,” says Dr. White. “Braxton Hicks contractions may also start to occur now.”

Let’s look at the possible 3rd-trimester symptoms in more detail. 

Braxton Hicks contractions

These contractions are your body’s way of preparing for labor. However, they are different from true labor contractions as they don’t cause your cervix to dilate or culminate in birth. They are irregular and uncomfortable rather than painful — a bit like mild menstrual cramps. Find out more via our guide on what Braxton Hicks contractions feel like. 

Peeing more

Your baby can press against your bladder as they move further into your pelvis, making you feel like you need to pee more. 

Insomnia

Unfortunately, it’s common for sleep to suffer in the 3rd trimester, thanks to needing to pee more during the night and the challenge of finding a comfy position with a pregnant belly.

Fatigue

Due to sleep troubles and the extra weight you’re carrying, it’s common to feel more tired in the 3rd trimester. However, fatigue can also be a sign that your iron levels are low, so it’s worth speaking to your doctor about doing a blood test to check this out.  

Back pain

All that baby growth can, unfortunately, come with backaches during the 3rd trimester as your body adjusts to carrying the extra weight. 

Nesting

Contrasting symptoms of fatigue, you might experience bursts of nesting energy in the 3rd trimester. If you’re feeling the urge to deep clean your home or plan cute baby outfits, embrace it. 

Swelling

Fluid retention can increase around now, which, along with weight gain, can cause your ankles and feet to swell. Our guide on how to reduce swelling during pregnancy might help. 

Hemorrhoids

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids are common in pregnancy, caused by increased pressure on the veins in your anus, increased blood volume, and greater chances of constipation. 

Varicose veins

These lumpy-looking veins are caused by the increased hormones and pressure of the baby on your blood vessels. 

Leg cramps

These can often strike at night as your pregnancy progresses.

Heartburn

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, causing stomach acid to leak through and result in heartburn during pregnancy. 

Constipation

The increase in hormones can slow down your digestive system and lead to constipation. 

Some of these symptoms can understandably leave you feeling like you are not in the best mood. However, it’s not just the physical changes that can affect your mood. “It is not uncommon to feel anxiety as you get closer to your due date,” says Dr. White. “At this stage, the pregnant person is probably getting set up for their baby’s arrival, such as decorating the nursery, installing the car seat, and picking a pediatrician. This can trigger many emotions.”

If you’re feeling worried, frustrated, or overwhelmed, know that that’s totally normal. It’s important not to beat yourself up if you’re finding things hard. Instead, lean on your loved ones for support and be extra gentle with yourself as you navigate the enormous changes happening in your life and to your body. You’re doing amazingly. 

Moving into the 3rd and final trimester of pregnancy

The 3rd trimester can be tough on your body with new aches, pains, and fatigue. It can be emotionally challenging too. You may feel a little uncertain about birth and life postpartum. Whether you’ve had a child before or not, it can be tough to picture what life will be like. However, discovering what your body is capable of can be an incredible experience. Plus, being on the homestretch means you’re getting closer and closer to meeting your baby. 

Dr. White recommends getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water at this stage. “This could also be a great time to start taking prenatal classes to prepare for the labor and delivery experience,” she says. Prenatal classes can introduce you to other parents-to-be, too, helping you expand your support system.

Flo’s pregnancy-tracking app also has plenty of advice on how to prepare for labor and stay on top of your 3rd-trimester checklist. You can also share any worries you have with other pregnant people via our anonymous chatroom, Secret Chats. But as always, if you have any concerns about your pregnancy or birth, don’t hesitate to have a chat with your doctor.