This week the fetus growing inside of me is a big as a cauliflower! But does that mean a piece of cauliflower or a full head? Full head, you say? Well, last time I looked at the grocery store, the size of a full head of cauliflower can vary. Don't get me wrong: pregnancy apps that compare a fetus to fruits and vegetables get me through the slog of pregnancy by helping mark each week. But they also leave me scratching my head. Take the one list that told me the baby was now the size of a "cute vintage wallet." Is that smaller or larger than an ugly vintage wallet?
To help out curious parents-to-be like me, I decided to research how the length of a fetus compares to the everyday objects I come in contact with. I tried to choose things with more standard sizes. For weeks 1-19, the size correlates to the length of the baby from crown the rump. After week 20, I used the crown to heel size. Of course, growing babies are all squished up in there and differ in weight from these objects. But assuming I make it to week 40 [1], I'll take it as a badge of honour (or horror) that my baby is about the same length as a standard carry-on bag.
Week 4: a Grain of Sand
Wait — what happened to weeks one, two, and three of the pregnancy? Trick question! You're not actually pregnant during weeks one and two (those are freebies, since we start counting on the first day of your last period). At week three, conception probably just occurred and the fertilized egg is implanting
By week four, your baby, or more accurately your little collection of cells, is 0.07 inches, or about the size of a grain of sand. So cute!
Week 5: a Sesame Seed
At just 0.13 inches your fetus resembles the size of the sesame seeds sitting a top the inevitable bagels or burgers you will have while pregnant.
Week 7: an Eyelash
Make a wish! This week the fetus has doubled to 0.51 inches, about the length of a human eyelash.
Week 8: a Gummy Bear
At 0.63 inches your baby's length is about the same as a gummy bear's height. Don't you just want to squeeze them!
Week 9: the Return Key on Your Laptop
Anytime you press "enter" note that your baby's length (0.90 inches) is about the same size as that key.
Week 10: a Nespresso Capsule
These pods of caffeine have a height similar to your baby, who is 1.22 inches long this week.
Week 11: a Cork
You won't have any chances to pop open some wine this week, but if you did, your baby would be around the size as the cork, about 1.61 inches.
Week 12: a McDonald's French Fry
Pregnancy cravings got you wanting junk food? Run out and grab some McDonald's French fries, which are roughly 2.13 inches long, the same length of your baby this week.
Week 13: Lipstick
Each time you apply your lipstick, note that the tube is about the same length as the little one in your womb, 2.91 inches.
Week 14: Credit Card
Open your wallet, and you'll see a good approximation of how long your baby is: 3.42 inches.
Week 15: a Pint of Ice Cream
Your baby is as long as a Ben & Jerry's pint is tall: 3.98 inches. That sounds good right about now, doesn't it?
Week 16: a Can of Coke
While not the healthiest part of a pregnancy diet, a can of Coke is about the same size as your fetus, 4.57 inches.
Week 17: Mascara
Your baby is a long way from the size of an eyelash and has now graduated to about the length of a mascara tube, 5.12 inches.
Week 18: iPhone 7
Take a good look at your iPhone 7. You have a fetus about as long (5.59 inches)!
Week 19: a Starbucks Venti Iced Coffee
At 6.02 inches, your baby is now the size of a venti iced coffee from Starbucks, which has way more caffeine than you can handle at the moment.
Week 20: a Tall Water Bottle
Stay hydrated, and remember that this week, your baby is as long as a tall water bottle at 10.08 inches.
Week 21: a Magazine
There won't be much time to read once you welcome your baby, who is 10.51 inches long.
Week 22: a Roll of Paper Towels
That roll of paper towels sitting on your kitchen counter is the same length as your baby now, 10.94 inches.
Week 23: a Box of Rice-A-Roni
A box of the San Francisco treat is approximately the size of the other treat in your belly, 11.38 inches.
Week 24: a Bottle of Wine
That bottle of wine you're wistfully eyeing? It's about as tall as your baby is long, 11.81 inches.
Week 25: a Bottle of Champagne
Have a nice bottle of champagne you're saving to celebrate childbirth in a few months? It's about as tall as your baby, 13.62 inches.
Week 26: a Curling Wand
If you're adding waves to your hair this week (congrats for still trying!) — you're holding a wand about the size of your baby, 14.02 inches.
Week 27: a Party-Size Bag of Chips
While you might want one all for yourself, this oversize bag of chips is the same length as your little one this week, who measures 14.41 inches.
Weeks 28: a Handle of Vodka
At this point your baby is 14.8 inches, similar to a handle of vodka, which you won't be enjoying anytime soon.
Week 29: a Loaf of Bread
Your baby measures 15.2 inches this week, about the length of a good old loaf of store-bought bread.
Week 30: a Box of Cereal
15.71 inches is about the size of your baby and a box of cereal, a potential pregnancy craving.
Week 31: a Serving Tray
Your baby is measuring 16.18 inches now, approximately the size of a serving tray. (Side note: how good do those donuts look?)
Week 32: a Box For an Extra-Large Pizza
Mmmm . . . pizza. If you're ordering an extra large this week (which, you should), know the box is about the same length as your little one, 16.69 inches.
Week 33: a Paper Grocery Bag
At 17.2 inches, your baby is about as long as a paper grocery bag is tall.
Week 34: a Full-Size Keyboard
Your baby's getting long — 17.70 inches, or the same length as a keyboard.
Week 35: a Throw Pillow
A standard throw pillow is approximately the same size as your almost-here baby, 18.19 inches. Practice cuddling on the couch!
Week 36: a Rolling Pin
At 18.66 inches, your growing baby is about as long as a rolling pin.
Week 37: a Windshield Wiper Blade
Your baby is 19.13 inches long this week — just like a windshield-wiper blade.
Week 38: a Herschel Backpack
Your baby is as tall as a Herschel backpack, measuring 19.61 inches. You'll be carrying more than that soon.
Week 39: a Microwave
You're about to meet your baby, but it still has some cooking to do. This week, it's about 19.96 inches long, or the length of a microwave.
Week 40: a Carry-on Suitcase
Wow. You've made it to 40 weeks, which means your baby is now about 20.16 inches, approximately the standard height of a carry-on suitcase. I'll let that sink in.