Baby Chris is 37 Weeks Old

Illustration via BabyCenter.com

[This is part 38 of a multi-part series chronicling a pregnancy through the lens of “Baby Chris.” Click here for other parts.]

37 weeks after fertilization (39 weeks LMP), Baby Chris is 20 inches long and weighs 7 ¼ pounds—about the size of a mini watermelon. He or she is full term and could be born any day! The Endowment for Human Development reports that “[t]he eye of the full-term fetus or newborn has achieved roughly 75% of its adult size and about two-thirds its adult weight.”

Although we’ve been using averages to educate our readers about prenatal development, it’s important to keep in mind that every person is different and grows on their own timeline. Many babies are born before 37 weeks or weighing less than 7 pounds; this is perfectly healthy and normal. I myself was not born until three weeks after my due date (an early sign of my bad tendency to procrastinate) at 9 pounds, 3 ounces. My brother was right on time yet weighed in at 10 pounds, 12 ounces!