At 7 months pregnant, there's only two months left of your pregnancy journey. Your bump might be a lot bigger now that you're at least 28 weeks pregnant and you might have started to notice other physical changes too.
You're now officially in your third trimester too!
Symptoms at 7 months pregnant
• Itchy skin: Experiencing itchy skin during pregnancy is normal. It's most common from 28 weeks, as your skin stretches with your bump. Your skin can also become dryer, which can also lead to skin irritation.
• Vaginal discharge: Pregnant women experience an increase in vaginal discharge. It can be difficult knowing what is normal and what isn't, but at this stage discharge is often your body's way of preparing for labour. If you're concerned about discharge, speak to your midwife or GP.
• Back and pelvic pain: With a growing bump and your body adjusting as it prepares for labour, it's no wonder you get a lot of aches and pains. Back pain can come from your growing bump and a shift in your centre of gravity. Resting and supporting your bump were possible through pregnancy pillows can help. Pelvic pain can be uncomfortable too, but you can speak to your midwife for advice.
• Cramps: You might have experienced cramps during your second trimester, and unfortunately, it does continue. Often striking at night when you finally fall asleep too! Ensure you're drinking plenty of water to try and help reduce the chances of leg or foot cramps.
• Indigestion and heartburn: If you're suffering from heartburn or indigestion, you might want to try eating smaller meals more often.
Your baby's development at 7 months pregnant
As time is going by, your little one is working hard to mature and grow.
Their hearing will be fully developed
Your baby's hearing should now be fully developed, and you might see that they change their position or move a little when they hear your voice. Now is a great time for your and your partner to sing or read to your baby.
They may be getting ready for birth
By now, your baby may be getting ready for birth by changing position so their head is pointing down. This will make it easier for them to travel down the birth canal when the time comes.
Their lungs will be developed
Your baby's lungs are developed enough that they could survive outside the womb by seven months.
They will be developing sleep patterns
You might notice that there are longer periods of rest between times of your baby's movement. This is down to your baby beginning to have REM sleep, which helps to develop their sleep patterns. They will also be able to sense light.
How big is my baby at 7 months pregnant
At 7 months pregnant, your baby will weigh approximately 1.5kg, which is around the same as a coconut.
Changes to your body at 7 months pregnant
• The pregnancy waddle: You'll soon start to develop the pregnancy waddle as you adjust to your new walking pace and growing bump. Take your time while walking as you might feel a bit unsteady. As your belly expands more, you'll also start to lose the ability to bend over.
• Your breasts: Your boobs will start to feel way heavier, your nipples will darken and the veins may become more visible. You may also experience changes to your boobs such as leaking. Around now the first form of milk arrives as it gets ready for your baby's arrival. If you experience this, investing in reusable or disposable nursing pads might be good!
7 months pregnant checklist
Start planning your labour
This month you can begin to imagine your pregnancy journey coming to an end but with that comes the question on how you plan on giving birth. Consider all your options, including planned C-sections, water births and home births.
Pack your hospital bag
Now's the time to make sure you have everything you need for your hospital bag. Make sure you pack a few different sized baby grows, and make sure you have all the essentials, so if you plan any day trips or even have to make a visit to your midwife, you have everything ready to go just incase.
Plan your baby shower
Your baby shower might be something you've had planned for awhile, but now is the time to get a date set in! These last two months will go by really quickly, so make sure you have it in plenty of time to just enjoy your final few weeks and rest before you go into labour.
Maria Martin is Digital Group Editor for Yours.co.uk and Motherandbaby.com. She is a mum-of-two with a passion for helping women from all walks of life – from supporting breastfeeding mothers with expert advice to encouraging conversations about mental health. In her professional role, she has over 10 years' experience in the digital world, including editing articles, focussing on SEO, social media engagement, picture researching and video editing.