Bean is fully formed, but his skull bones are not yet fused. This allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit during labor.

Size: A small pumpkin

Bean continues to gain weight, and the outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. He is growing more hair, and is continuing to add neural connections.

Size: Mini watermelon

Bean has really plumped up, and will continue gaining about 1/2 pound a week until he is born.  His organs have fully matured and are ready for life outside the womb.  Bean has already developed a strong grasp and his nails reach the ends of his fingers and toes.

Size: As long as a leek

Bean has increased his body fat to 8% as he continues to grow, and has considerably less space to kick and stretch.  He can be born at any time, but the longer he stays in the womb, the longer he has time to develop further brain connections in peace and quiet.  He can do all the things a newborn can, aside from breathing air.

Size: X-Large

Bean continues to grow and snuggle down into Mom's pelvis in a head down position.  This makes it much easier for Mom to breathe, but makes bathroom trips that much more frequent.

Size: About 6 pounds, and 21 1/2 inches

Bean's nervous system and immune system are still maturing, and he still needs to put on some fat. But everything else, from his toenails to the hair on his head, is fully formed.

Size: Small roasting chicken

Bean may be spending more time sleeping now, and as he rests his brain is busy forming connections between his billions of neurons and synapses.  This continuing brain development allows for Bean to learn in the womb.  

Size: Bag of sugar

Bean will probably move into the head down position soon, which not only prepares him for birth, but increases blood flow to his developing brain. Now he is in the process of receiving Mom's antibodies, which are neccesary because his immune system is immature, and he does not yet make his own.

Size: 4 1/2 pounds

Bean's skeleton is rapidly ossifying (turning from cartilage into solid bone) and his kicks will become that much stronger.  They might even be visible through Mom's shirt.  Not only will Bean's kicks be stronger, but they will peak in quantity this week, before he runs out of extra wiggle room.

Size: About 4 pounds

Bean is beginning to run out of room as he puts on weight faster than he lengthens. With the added fat being deposited under his skin, his skin tone is becoming more pink and less red. His chubby cheeks are also filling out.

Size: 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds

Bean has doubled in length in the last six weeks and will only grow a few more inches before birth.  He is very aware of his surroundings and environment and still has some room to move around.  Over the next few weeks space will get tight and he'll move into a head down position to wait to enter the world.

Size: Laptop computer

This week Bean is growing eyelashes, adding fat and further developing his brain.  His brain can now direct rhythmic breathing and control body temperature.  With increased brain wave activity, Bean may even be able to dream.

Size:  2 1/2 pounds and 15-17 inches tall

Bean has doubled his weight over the past month and should weigh in at 2 1/2 pounds.  His lungs are more developed and are now capable of breathing air.  He's able to open his eyes, and his sucking and swallowing skills are improving.

Size: Bag of flour

This week marks the end of the 2nd trimester. Bean has been growing rapidly and has now hit the 2 pound mark. More brain tissue is developing and as a result Bean's brain is very active. His lungs, liver and immune system are continuing to mature.

Size: Small pot roast
 

Bean's eyes are almost fully formed, and are blue (at least for now). His hearing system is completely formed and even more sensitive than before. His lungs continue to develop to prepare him for life on the outside.

Size: A foot tall standing, and 1 3/4 pounds

Bean is growing fast and now measures approximately 11 inches and 1 1/4 pounds. He can make a fist, and touch and hold his feet. His heartbeat is getting stronger (and louder) and may be heard with an ear pressed to mom's belly.

Size: Small bag of sugar

Bean's skin is becoming less translucent as pigment is deposited, and may even look wrinkly because his body is making the skin faster than it makes the fat to pad underneath it. Bean's hand and footprints are forming, and he seems to be in constant motion. He may even respond to touch and sound from outside.

Size: Banana

Baby Bean now weighs about 1 pound, and is 8 inches long. His skin is filling out as his muscles grow.

Size: Bag of coffee beans

Bean's fingernails are almost fully grown and his organ systems are becoming more functional. He even has a distinct pair of lips. Bean measures about 7 1/2 inches from crown to rump, and weighs between 13 and 16 ounces. He looks like a miniature newborn.

Size: Grapefruit

Baby Bean is putting on weight, and now weighs in at 10 1/2 ounces (the same weight as a bear cub when it is born). His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed, and taste buds are forming on his tongue.
 

Size: Spoon

Bean has made it to the halfway point and has been growing quite a bit.  Permanent teeth are already starting to form, and Bean's brain has already formed all the neurons it will need.  Bean can now differentiate between morning, afternoon, and nighttime and may be more active at certain times of the day.    

Size: Mango, 9-10 in. long from head to toe

Bean is busy exploring this week: touching the amniotic sac, leg pedaling, face touching and thumb sucking.  All this discovery has probably already given Bean a preference for left or right-handedness.  Bean's brain has developed complex connections for touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing.   

Size: Apple

There's still plenty of room for Bean to be active: turning somersaults, reclining and crossing legs.  Ear bones are fully formed and retinas are light sensitive, even though Bean's eyes are closed.  Bean's hearing has improved and (s)he may even react to bright lights shone on Sharon's belly.

Size: Lobster tail

Baby Bean is putting on weight for body heat, and may even be startled by loud noises from outside.

Size: About 6 inches tall, and weighs as much as a bar of soap 

Bean is busy playing with the umbilical cord and sucking his/her thumb.  A growth spurt is starting.

Size: Small avocado

Bean's liver and pancreas start functioning, and facial muscles develop.  Bean can wince and grimace 

Size: 4 - 4 1/2 inches

Baby Bean can't sit still.  Bean is busy wiggling fingers and toes, stretching, yawning and hiccupping.  Hair and eyebrows are growing and teeth are formed.

Size: As long as your fist is wide

This week Baby Bean develops vocal cords, and may start to hear.  Bean's pancreas, gall bladder and thyroid develop too.
 
Size: Medium size goldfish

Bean starts to stretch out and is less curled up.  Arms, legs and fingers grow longer and reflexes kick in.

Size: As tall as a squash ball

This week Bean doubles in height and can somersault, flex fingers, hiccup and stretch.  Fingernails, toenails, and hair follicles are forming.

Size: Peanut

Baby Bean forms kidneys and bones in arms and legs.

Size: Garden beetle

Muscles begin to develop and Baby Bean can make tiny movements.  Elbows are becoming visible, and dimples form where the knees and ankles will go.

Size: 3/4 inch long

Baby Bean develops a digestive tract, lungs, hands and feet.  Bean's heartbeat can be detected by ultrasound.

Size: Less than 1/2 inch, weight of a chocolate chip

Baby Bean looks like a tadpole and has gills.  Eyes and lungs start to form.

Size: About as big as an M & M

Baby Bean tranforms into a bundle of cells in a "C" shape and arm buds form.

Size: As tiny as a grain of sand

Ovulation, conception, cell division and implantation in the uterus.  Baby Bean is settling in.

Size: Fits on the head of a pin