YES this is a BABY – Not a Fetus
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22nd Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby weighs close to a pound at this point!
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Your baby can now hear your conversations more clearly
than before!. When you talk, read, or sing, expect her
to hear you. Studies have found that newborns will suck
more vigorously when read to from a book they heard
frequently in utero.
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Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
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Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
Be prepared for all those "Why" questions coming! Your
baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth,
especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This
structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a
kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly
before birth. But the brain's amazing expansion program
continues until around the five birthday.
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With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to
break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood
cells.
If your baby is male his testes begin their descent to
the scrotum.
Primitive sperm have formed and he is producing
testosterone.
Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1
pound (430gm).
23rd Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a
newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form
body fat.
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Bones located in the middle ear harden.
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Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know:
low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate
the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher
frequencies of the female voice?)
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The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks
pigmentation.
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The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones,
is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin,
important for the breakdown of sugars.
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If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his
odds going up with each passing day.
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The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm)
and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.
24th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this
week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
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His body begins to fill out with his appearance
increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
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Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something
strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his
distaste.
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Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular
coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his
thumb.
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Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be
forming in the skin.
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His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory
"tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance
that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
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This week your baby is officially considered viable.
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Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm)
long -- almost the length of a ruler!
25th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints,
ligaments and rings. These will protect the all
important spinal cord which serves as the information
transmitter for your child's body.
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Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
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Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out
of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the
capability of scent preferences!
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The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing
more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food
later on, these will be valuable!
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His swallowing reflexes are developing.
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Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and
would clasp objects placed in palm.
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Your child has now obtained an approximate length of
13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).
26th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is
1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length
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To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is
getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than
the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of
150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
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Air sacs in the lungs form now.
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Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called
surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would
stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is
born.
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Although they've been sealed shut for the last few
months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to
blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies
will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may
change color in the first 6 months of life) and some
will be born with brown or dark eyes.
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Retinas begin to form.
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Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be
detectable.
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Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a
light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head,
which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is
working.
27th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your little one's brain continues its rapid growth.
Don't forget to share music, conversation, and even
books with your baby!
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Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end
of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the
ear is complete. Your baby's hearing continues to
develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as
well as your partner's.
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Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning
outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly
increases survival rates!
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He also continues to take small breaths and although
he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still
good practice for when he's born.
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Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish
between light and dark.
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Retinas have formed.
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Your baby will grow over an inch this week alone! You
may suspect this phenomenal growth rate repeats in the
preteen years!
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Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound
(875gm).
28th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
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Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are
born with almost none at all, while others appear to be
ready for their first haircut!
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Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from
inside!
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Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of
that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be
added during the third trimester.
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Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics
feels like it is taking place in your womb!
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Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still
struggle and require medical attention if born now)
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Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs
and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and
will often calm to it later on!
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Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is
14.8 inches (37.6cm).
29th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He
appears more like a newborn each and every day!
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Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now
preparing for entering the *real world*.
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Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and
body temperatures.
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His eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able
to follow a blinking light.
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Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light,
sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your
baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for
particular tastes or odors at this stage
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He is also moving from side to side, but probably still
is head up. In the next few weeks, he will move to the
head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if
he is performing somersaults for a circus act!
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Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and
weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm)
30th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?
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His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of
rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach"
your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature,
and simply talking to him.
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A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he
grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic
fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any
lighter!
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She spends more and more time practicing opening and
closing eyelids. Her eyes can move from side to side,
following a light source. She may even reach out to
touch the light.
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Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to
protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb.
Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.
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Toenails are entering their final growth stage.
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Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell
production. These red blood cells will continue to
service your child's body by transporting oxygen and
removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).
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Your baby has the capability now to produce tears --
yes, within the womb.
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By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches
(39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm).
31st Week of Pregnancy From Conception
The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but
even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a
lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
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Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her
skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a
newborn.
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Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his
bones are growing and hardening.
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Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3
pounds (1502gm)
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His brain enters another period of rapid growth,
producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells!
Amazing!
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She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart
rates show that she also prefers some types of music to
others -- already!
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Lungs are the only major organ left to complete
development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to
meet your little one that these last few weeks can be
vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to
breathe on her own.
32nd
Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby is up to 3.75 pounds (1702gm) now and is 16.7
inches (42.4cm) long.
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You might notice she's not moving around as much now.
Don't worry! She is fine -- just running short on room.
She still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it
or not!
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All five senses are working. Your little one is
fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as
possible!
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Toenails are completely formed even though she may not
be quite ready for a French manicure.
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Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in. Will he
have dad's black hair or your red hair?
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Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream
sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you
suppose your son is dreaming about?
33rd Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your
pregnancy.
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Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch
due to rapid brain growth.
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Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers --
forming connections in your baby's brain will give him
the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week,
he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with
breathing.
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While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is
quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will
be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
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You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water!
That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the
placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and
encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a
protein essential for healthy lung development).
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If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending
from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both
testicles won't move into position until after birth.
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Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs
4.23 pounds (1918gm).
34th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes
opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also
find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping &
awake times.
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She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly
when there is a bright light on your stomach and
probably has the outline of all your organs memorized!
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Antibodies from your blood are being transferred to him.
These immunities continue to build until birth. Then
breast milk will add even more protection against
disease.
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Your baby may have already turned to a head-down
position in preparation for birth. If he is your first
baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head
pressing against your cervix.
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Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now.
She may scratch her face even before she is born!
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Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and
weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).
35th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
The average baby weighs almost five and a half pounds
now.
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Most babies born now will survive and without many
long-term problems.
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Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week.
These layers of fat will help him regulate his body
temperature. They also provide those cute little dimples
on elbows and knees!
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Her hearing is fully developed, so be sure to talk to
your daughter. Do you find yourself speaking in a
high-pitched tone? That's okay since some studies show
babies respond better to higher pitches.
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It's getting crowded! Your baby is now taking up most of
the uterus and you may even feel like your chest has run
out of room! Soon enough though, baby will move down and
you'll be able to breathe easily again (just not walk so
easily! Ha!).
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Your baby is 18.2 inches (46.2cm) long and weighs 5.3
pounds (2383gm).
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The testes have completed their descent in males.
36th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby is almost ready and most likely, so are you!
The only organ still to mature is the lungs. While
certainly you are both growing anxious to meet, remember
that each day (up to 42 weeks), that your little one
stays within your womb will multiply his chances to
breathe on his own.
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If he hasn't already, this week your baby may drop into
the birth canal. While breathing for mom becomes easier,
walking may be the exact opposite! If he's not your
first baby, this "lightening" may not occur until right
before labor.
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Fat is dimpling your baby's elbows and knees, and
forming creases in the neck and wrists.
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His skin is growing smooth and, shall we say it, "baby"
soft.
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His gums are very rigid. It won't be many months before
you'll see his teeth.
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She has a fully developed pair of kidneys and her liver
has begun processing some waste products.
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Your child's average size is now 18.66 inches (47.4cm)
and 5.78 pounds (2622 g). Between now and birth she will
gain about an ounce a day!
37th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
This week, the average size is about 6.3 pounds (2859gm)
now and 19.1 inches (48.6cm) length.
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She is official full term now but can still benefit from
extra days in the womb.
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Your baby continues to practice breathing movements.
Isn't it amazing how she can breathe "under water?"
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Grasp is firm now. It won't be long until you'll feel
that strong little fist confidently grasping your finger
(or tightly clenching your hair)!
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A few weeks ago, your baby would move her eyes toward
light. Now she turns towards light outside the uterus.
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" As the uterine wall stretches and thins allowing more
light to permeate, he develops definite daily activity
cycles. You will want to be sure to establish good
patterns yourself at this time, thus encouraging them in
your child. Ever heard of a baby getting his days/nights
mixed up? Now's the time to try to avoid that!
38th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
If he is the "average baby," he weights 6.8 pounds
(3083gm)and is 19.6 inches (49.8cm) long.
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Have you noticed she hiccups a lot? Because there is no
air around her, those breathing exercises cause amniotic
fluid to get into her windpipe. The result? Hiccups!
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Your child's intestines are accumulating lots of
meconium. Meconium takes on the role of being your
baby's first bowel movement -- removing the waste that
has accumulated.
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He may have a full head of hair now -- an inch or more
long! Don't be surprised if it's an unexpected color.
Some blond couples have dark haired babies; some dark
haired couples have red-haired babies; some couples have
babies with only peach fuzz! It may just persuade you to
take a closer look at your family tree!
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Circumference of head and abdomen are about the same
size for your baby. No wonder it's so hard to get a
t-shirt over a newborn's head!
39th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
The lanugo has mostly disappeared, but you'll probably
find a bit on her shoulders, arms and legs and in those
protected little bodily creases. It will vanish
completely on its own in time.
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His lungs are maturing and surfactant production is
increasing and fully prepared to take on the outside
world!
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Your baby doesn't have much room to move and certainly
mom agrees! Did you imagine 8 months ago that this wee
one would be able to hook a toe in your ribs while
elbowing your bladder? She certainly has grown!
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His body continues laying on the fat stores that will
help regulate his body temperature after birth. In
addition to normal fat, he is accumulating a special
"brown" fat in the nape of his neck, between his
shoulders and around organs. Brown fat cells are
important for thermogenesis (generating heat) during his
first weeks.
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Your infant's weight is around 7.25 pounds (3288gm) and
length is 19.9 inches (50.7cm).
40th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Much of the vernix has vanished but you will notice
traces on her body.
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15% of your child's body is fat. Since he hasn't learned
to shiver yet, these fat stores will help regulate his
temperature.
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Approximately 60 - 75 percent is water!
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Your baby's chest sticks out, almost as if he's ready to
strut proudly over his accomplishment!
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His lungs will continue developing until birth. They are
manufacturing large quantities of surfactant which works
to keep the air sacs open.
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She continues to grow; her hair and nails longer as
well. You may need to trim those fingernails soon after
birth or protect her face from scratches with mittens.
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Small breast buds are present on both sexes.
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The baby now weighs 7.6 pounds (3462gm) and is 20.2
inches (51.2cm) long.
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Congratulations! Any day now you will be cradling
your son or daughter! Cherish the moments and learn all
you can about this new personality in your life. They go
by all too fast!
Baby
Development
You’re pregnant, and now you are you curious how big
your developing baby is, what your baby looks like as it
grows inside you, and when you’ll feel it move? Take a
peek inside the womb to see how BABY develops from month
to month.
8 Weeks
The baby is now a little over half an inch in size.
Eyelids and ears are forming, and the tip of the nose is
visible. The arms and legs are well formed. The fingers
and toes grow longer and more distinct.
9
Weeks
Your baby is probably about an inch long now and
its tail has all but disappeared. During this week of
pregnancy, some tiny fetuses have even been shown to
suck their small thumbs, and they have begun to make
facial grimaces and even swallowing motions.
If you
haven't already made your first prenatal doctor's visit,
you should do so quickly. Prenatal care is crucial to
the health of you and your baby.
10 Weeks
This
week of your pregnancy will show that your baby's brain
is developing rapidly right now. A
prenatal ultrasound
would reveal well formed arms and legs as well as
fingers and toes. During this week of pregnancy, your
baby will begin to kick his little feet and even open
his mouths. In addition, your baby's intestines may
begin to move into his body.
11 Weeks
Between week 10 of your pregnancy and week 12 of your
pregnancy, your doctor will be able to hear your fetus'
heartbeat with a hand held doppler. At this stage of
your pregnancy, your baby is completely developed with
all the necessary major organs and systems he/she needs
to survive. From here on out during your
pregnancy, your baby will mainly be growing and maturin
12 Weeks
The fetus measures about 2 inches and starts to make its
own movements. You may start to feel the top of your
uterus above the pubic bone. Your doctor may hear the
baby’s heartbeat with special instruments. The sex
organs of the baby should start to become clear.
13 Weeks
During 13th weeks of pregnancy, your baby will grow
around 1.5 to 3 in (35 to 75 mm) length and weighs
around 1/2 to 3/4 oz (14 to 21 grams).
Your baby is
more and more looks like human as its body is catching
up the size of its head
His or her eyes start to move
closer together and ears are beginning to move to their
final positions.
By now, your baby's hands and feet
are fully formed.
Inside of his or her belly, the
liver begins to secrete bile while the pancreas is
starting to produce insulin.
His or her intestines
are moving from the umbilical cord into his or her own
abdomen
All 20 milk teeth have formed and waiting
under the gums, while your baby has begun to practice
swallowing by taking in the surrounding amniotic fluid
and passing it back in his or her urine
Your baby can
smile and his or her vocal cords are quick developing.
By 13 weeks pregnancy, your baby has as many nerve
endings as you do! The connections are being made
between brain, muscles and nervous system
16 Weeks
The fetus now measures about 4.3 to 4.6 inches and
weighs about 3.5 ounces. The top of your uterus should
be felt about 3 inches below your belly button. The
baby’s eyes can blink and the heart and blood vessels
are fully formed. The baby’s fingers and toes should
have fingerprints.
20 Weeks
The baby weighs about 10 ounces and is a little over 6
inches long. Your uterus should be at the level of your
belly button. The baby can suck a thumb, yawn, stretch,
and make faces. Soon — if you haven’t already — you’ll
feel your baby move, which is called “quickening.”
24 Weeks
The fetus weighs about 1.4 pounds now. It responds to
sounds by moving or increasing its pulse. You may notice
jerking motions if it hiccups. With the inner ear fully
developed, it may be able to sense being upside down in
the womb.
The fetus weighs about 2 pounds 6 ounc es. It
changes position frequently at this point in pregnancy.
There’s a good chance of survival if your baby is born
prematurely now. Ask your doctor about preterm labor
warning signs. Register for birthing classes. Birthing
classes prepare you for many aspects of childbirth,
including labor and delivery and parenting the newborn
36 Weeks
Babies differ in size, depending on many factors (such
as gender, the number of babies being carried, and size
of the parents), so your baby’s overall rate of growth
is as important as the actual size. On average, it’s
about 18.5 inches and weighs close to 6 pounds. The
brain has been developing rapidly. Lungs are nearly
fully developed. The head is usually positioned down
into the pelvis by now. A pregnancy is considered “at
term” once 37 weeks has been completed!
YES this is a BABY – Not a Fetus
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