Six months pregnant corresponds to roughly weeks 21 through 24 of pregnancy. That places you near the end of the second trimester, with about 16 weeks still to go before your due date. The reason this conversion feels confusing is that pregnancy months don’t line up neatly with calendar months.
Why Months and Weeks Don’t Match Up
A calendar month averages about 4.3 weeks, but pregnancy is tracked on a 40-week timeline that starts from the first day of your last period. When medical sources divide pregnancy into months, they typically use a clean 4-week block per month. Under that system, month six covers weeks 21, 22, 23, and 24. By the time you complete week 24, you’re considered 6 months pregnant.
This is why you’ll sometimes see slightly different week ranges depending on the source. Some count month six as weeks 23 through 27, using a calendar-month approach instead. Your provider tracks everything by weeks, not months, precisely because of this ambiguity. If someone asks how far along you are and you want a simple answer, “6 months” works. But for medical purposes, your week number is what matters.
Where You Are in the Trimesters
At 6 months, you’re wrapping up the second trimester. The second trimester runs from week 13 through week 27 (or 28, depending on the source). So you’re in the home stretch of what many people describe as the most comfortable phase of pregnancy, with the third trimester just a few weeks away.
What’s Happening With the Baby
By week 24 to 26, a baby is roughly 9 inches long from head to rump and weighs close to 2 pounds. Eyebrows and eyelashes have formed. The eyes are developed, though they may not open for another couple of weeks. The lungs are maturing but aren’t yet ready to function on their own.
This stage also marks an important milestone for viability. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, survival rates for babies born at 24 weeks range from about 42% to 59%, jumping to 67% to 76% at 25 weeks. These numbers depend heavily on factors like birth weight, sex, and access to a neonatal intensive care unit. Viability at this stage is possible but far from guaranteed, which is one reason the remaining weeks of pregnancy matter so much for lung and brain development.
Common Symptoms at 6 Months
The second trimester is often described as the “honeymoon phase,” but by month six, some less comfortable symptoms tend to show up. Lower back pain is common as your growing uterus shifts your center of gravity forward. Hormonal changes loosen the joints in your pelvis, adding to the strain.
You may also notice Braxton Hicks contractions for the first time. These feel like a mild tightening across your belly that comes and goes. They’re more likely in the afternoon or evening, especially after physical activity or sex. They’re not a sign of labor, just your uterus practicing.
Other typical symptoms during this stretch include leg cramps (especially at night), occasional dizziness from changes in blood flow, and nasal congestion or nosebleeds. Rising hormone levels increase your blood volume, which can make the lining of your nose swell and bleed more easily.
Screenings That Happen Around Now
If you’re between weeks 24 and 28, your provider will likely schedule a glucose screening test. This checks for gestational diabetes by measuring how your body processes sugar. You’ll drink a sugary solution and have your blood drawn about an hour later. Most women pass without issue, but those with elevated results go on to a longer follow-up test.
Your provider will also start measuring fundal height around this time. That’s the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, measured with a tape measure. After week 24, the measurement in centimeters generally matches your week of pregnancy, give or take about 3 centimeters. So at 25 weeks, a fundal height of 22 to 28 centimeters is within the normal range. It’s a quick, low-tech way to confirm the baby is growing on track between ultrasounds.