Your Unborn Baby’s Development – Week By Week Pregnancy

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Y e s , once y o u start t r y i n g to c o n c e i v e , or k n o w that y o u are a l r e a d y pregnant, t h e journey a h e a d is g o i n g to b e extremely b r e a t h t a k i n g and b r e a t h l e s s at t h e same t i m e . Rest a s s u r e d , there w i l l never b e a d u l l moment, a n d you’ll h a v e plenty t o look f o r w a r d to.

A n d , you h a v e much t o look f o r w a r d to i n this n e w phase o f life. But, t h e months a h e a d will s e e a t i n y cell t u r n into y o u r little d a r l i n g . So, i f you a r e trying t o learn w h a t your b a b y will l o o k like a t week 5 or w e e k 23, y o u should c o n s i d e r reading o u r post.

H e r e , Momjunction h a s the l o w d o w n on w h a t to e x p e c t , and h o w your h o w your b a b y will d e v e l o p through e a c h week o f your o n g o i n g pregnancy.

H e r e is h o w your b a b y will d e v e l o p inside y o u through a l l the w e e k s of p r e g n a n c y :

1 . A t 4 W e e k s :

2 . A t 5 W e e k s :

A t this s t a g e , your u n b o r n baby’s h e a r t will b e g i n to d i v i d e into d i f f e r e n t chambers. S o o n it w i l l start t o pump b l o o d as w e l l .

B y now, y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t a q u a r t e r of a centimeter. I n s t e a d of l o o k i n g like a human b a b y , your b a b y will l o o k more l i k e a t a d p o l e at t h i s stage, b u t don’t w o r r y about i t at a l l !

S o m e t i m e during t h i s week, y o u r baby w i l l also b e g i n exhibiting a growth p a t t e r n , one o f the f i r s t s in m a n y to c o m e soon.

Y o u r baby’s m a j o r organs w i l l steadily g r o w during t h i s stage, i n c l u d i n g the l i v e r and k i d n e y s . The i n t e s t i n e s will a l s o develop w h i l e the a p p e n d i x will p o s i t i o n itself i n place.

S o m e t i m e during t h i s week, y o u r baby’s n e u r a l tube, w h i c h was h e l p i n g in c o n n e c t i n g the b r a i n and t h e spinal c o r d , will c l o s e up.

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y ’ s initial d e v e l o p m e n t of a r m s and l e g s will t a k e place. A l s o , there w i l l be s m a l l folds a r o u n d the a r e a that w i l l later d e v e l o p into y o u r baby’s m o u t h . The f o l d s will l a t e r make w a y to f o r m your b a b y ’ s neck a n d lower j a w .

3 . A t 6 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l be a p p r o x i m a t e l y the s i z e of a lentil.

Y o u r baby’s h e a r t will a l s o start t o beat a t the r a t e of 1 5 0 beats p e r minute, w h i c h is a l m o s t double t h e rate a t which y o u r heart b e a t s .

Y o u r baby’s h e a d will l o o k bigger t h a n the r e s t of t h e body.

B y now, y o u r baby’s f i r s t facial f e a t u r e s begin t o take s h a p e . Dark s p o t s appear w h e r e later t h e eyes w i l l form, s m a l l openings w i l l appear w h e r e the n o s t r i l s will f o r m , and p i t s will a p p e a r to m a r k the a r e a where t h e ears w i l l appear.

Y o u r baby’s a r m s and l e g s will l o o k like b u d s that p r o t r u d e from t h e cell m a s s . The m u s c l e and b o n e tissues b e g i n to d e v e l o p , along w i t h the p i t u i t a r y gland w h i c h will r e l e a s e hormones l a t e r , and t h e rest o f the b r a i n .

4 . A t 7 W e e k s :

Y o u r baby w i l l now b e approximately 1 . 2 5 centimeter l o n g , as b i g as a blueberry.

Y o u r baby w i l l now h a v e slightly w e b b e d fingers a n d toes a n d will s t a r t to m o v e in s u d d e n jerks.

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y ’ s liver w i l l produce m a n y red b l o o d cells u n t i l the b o n e marrow d e v e l o p s and t a k e s over t h e role.

B e g i n n i n g now, u n t i l the e n d of t h e 20th week, y o u r baby w i l l experience a surge i n development.

T h e body p a r t s your b a b y developed e a r l i e r , will n o w become m o r e prominent a n d specialized.

Y o u r baby’s e a r s will k e e p developing, a l o n g with t h e teeth a n d palate.

A t this s t a g e , your u n b o r n baby’s s k i n will b e as t r a n s p a r e n t and t h i n as p a p e r , and t h e veins w i l l be v i s i b l e throughout.

5 . A t 8 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1.6 c m .

T h e tail t h a t the e m b r y o had u n t i l now b e g i n s to f a d e

A l l your b a b y ’ s organs b e g i n functioning n o w , especially t h e different n e r v e s and m u s c l e s .

T h e nerve c e l l s in y o u r baby’s b r a i n will n o w start t o branch o u t and c o n n e c t with e a c h other. I t will b e the f i r s t beginning i n creating a neural p a t h w a y .

Y o u r baby’s h a n d will n o w start t o bend a t the p l a c e where t h e wrist i s , and t h e webbed l o o k from t h e feet w i l l slowly s t a r t to d i s a p p e a r .

T h e eyelids w i l l be q u i t e big a n d prominent a n d will c o v e r almost a l l of y o u r baby’s e y e s .

T h i s is a l s o the w e e k when t h e taste b u d s will s t a r t to f o r m on y o u r baby’s t o n g u e .

6 . A t 9 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 2.3 c m and w i l l weigh l e s s than 2 gm.

Y o u r baby’s e y e l i d s will n o w completely c o v e r the e y e s and w i l l be f u s e d together. H e won’t b e able t o open t h e m until t h e 26th week.

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y ’ s tiny e a r l o b e s will a l s o be v i s i b l e for t h e first t i m e .

B y now, y o u r unborn b a b y will s t a r t to l o o k more l i k e a h u m a n baby. T h e wrists w i l l develop b e t t e r , and t h e ankles w i l l form t o o .

Y o u r baby’s t o e s and f i n g e r s will a l s o be q u i t e prominent n o w , and t h e arms w i l l start g r o w i n g longer w h i l e they b e n d at t h e elbows.

A r o u n d this w e e k , your b a b y ’ s genitalia w i l l also s t a r t to f o r m properly.

T h e placenta t o o will d e v e l o p to s u c h an e x t e n t that i t can t a k e care o f most i m p o r t a n t tasks i t has, s u c h as p r o d u c e the r e q u i r e d hormones.

T h e placenta w i l l also c o n t i n u e to m a k e nutrients f o r your b a b y and f l u s h all t h e waste p r o d u c t that y o u r baby p r o d u c e s .

7 . A t 10 W e e k s :

T h i s is t h e week w h e n your u n b o r n baby w i l l officially m o v e from b e i n g termed a s an ‘ e m b r y o ’ to b e c o m i n g a ‘ f e t u s ’ .

Y o u r baby w i l l measure a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3.1 c m in h e i g h t from t h e crown a r e a to t h e rump. A l s o , your b a b y will w e i g h lesser t h a n 4 g m .

Y o u r unborn b a b y will b e extremely a c t i v e at t h i s stage a n d will s w a l l o w fluid a n d kick t h o s e arms a n d legs.

B y now, m o s t of t h e baby’s v i t a l organs: b r a i n , lungs, i n t e s t i n e s , liver a n d kidney, a r e fully f o r m e d and b e g i n to f u n c t i o n properly. T h e head w i l l still c o n t i n u e to b e larger t h a n the r e s t of t h e body. I t will b e about h a l f the l e n g t h of y o u r baby’s t o t a l body l e n g t h .

Y o u r baby’s f o r e h e a d , at t h i s stage, w i l l be e x t r e m e l y big a n d will b e positioned h i g h on t h e head. H o w e v e r , this i s a t e m p o r a r y thing, a n d it w i l l later c o m e back t o its p r o p e r shape a n d place.

A r o u n d this w e e k , your b a b y ’ s fingernails w i l l be v i s i b l e , as w i l l the l a y e r of p e a c h – f u z z hair a l l over t h e body.

T h e spinal n e r v e s will s t a r t to s t r e t c h outwards f r o m your b a b y ’ s spinal c o r d , and t h e outline o f the s p i n e will a l s o be v e r y prominent.

8 . A t 11 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 4 c m in l e n g t h .

S t a r t i n g from t h e top o f the b o d y till t h e bottom, y o u r baby w i l l have a l l the o r g a n s and b o d y parts d e v e l o p e d by n o w .

D u r i n g this w e e k , the t o e s will a l s o separate c o m p l e t e l y from t h e earlier w e b b e d appearance.

Y o u r baby w i l l be q u i t e active n o w and w i l l constantly k e e p kicking t h e arms a n d legs a n d stretching t h e m out.

Y o u r baby h a s already s t a r t e d on t h e path t o development, a n d most o f it w i l l already b e taking p l a c e now.

F o r the n e x t few m o n t h s , the m a i n thing t h a t your b a b y will b e busy d o i n g is t o grow s t r o n g e r and b i g g e r .

9 . A t 12 W e e k s :

Y o u r baby w i l l now m e a s u r e about 5 . 4 cm i n length f r o m the c r o w n area t i l l the r u m p and w i l l weigh a little l e s s than 1 4 gm.

T h i s week, y o u r baby w i l l form s t r o n g e r reflexes. F o r instance, y o u r baby w i l l move i n reaction w h e n you t o u c h your b e l l y and p r o d it w i t h your f i n g e r s , even t h o u g h you m a y not b e able t o feel i t from t h e outside y e t .

Y o u r baby’s n e r v e cells w i l l also m u l t i p l y very f a s t , even a s the m a n y neurological c o n n e c t i o n s will k e e p forming i n the b r a i n .

Y o u r unborn b a b y will n o w be a b l e to c l o s e the f i n g e r s , tightly s q u e e z e the e y e muscles a n d curl t h e toes.

B y now, y o u r baby w i l l look m o r e and m o r e human a s compared t o the e a r l i e r features.

T h e eyes m o v e closer t o each o t h e r , unlike t h e way t h e y were s p a c e d earlier a t the s i d e s of t h e head.

T h e ears t o o will r e a c h almost t h e final p o s i t i o n where t h e y will b e placed p e r m a n e n t l y .

Y o u r baby’s o r g a n s can n o w perform m o r e complex t a s k s . The l i v e r will s t a r t to m a k e bile, a n d the k i d n e y s will s t a r t to p r o d u c e urine t h a t will g o into t h e bladder.

1 0 . A t 13 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 6.7 c m in l e n g t h and w i l l weigh a l m o s t 23 g m . From t h e size o f a t i n y poppy s e e d , your b a b y will n o w almost b e the s i z e of a pea p o d .

I t is a l s o the w e e k when y o u r baby w i l l develop s o m e distinct f i n g e r p r i n t s at t h e tip o f the f i n g e r s , something t h a t will r e m a i n unique f o r the r e s t of t h e life.

Y o u r baby w i l l now h a v e sucking m u s c l e s in t h e cheeks. F o r instance, i f you p r o d your b e l l y a l i t t l e , your b a b y will b e able t o feel t h e movement a n d start m a k i n g a r o o t i n g movement. I t is o n e of t h e first m o v e m e n t s that y o u r baby w i l l learn w h i c h will l a t e r help t h e latching a c t i o n during t h e breastfeeding s t a g e .

I n case y o u are h a v i n g a f e m a l e baby, t h e ovaries i n the b a b y ’ s system w i l l store a b o u t 2 m i l l i o n eggs. B y the t i m e your f e m a l e baby w i l l be b o r n , the n u m b e r of e g g s will c o m e down t o about 1 million.

1 1 . A t 14 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 8 c m in l e n g t h , starting f r o m the c r o w n area t i l l the r u m p .

Y o u r baby w i l l weigh s o m e w h e r e around 4 9 gm b y now.

Y o u r baby’s b o d y will n o w grow f a s t e r than t h e head, w h i c h will f i n a l l y make i t all l o o k in p r o p o r t i o n .

T h e skin t h a t was e a r l i e r as t h i n as p a p e r will n o w be c o v e r e d with f i n e downy h a i r , which i s known a s the l a n u g o . It w i l l help t o keep y o u r baby’s s k i n protected a n d will a l m o s t fade o f f by t h e time o f birth.

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y will a l s o start t o grow t h e eyebrows a n d have t h e first f o r m a t i o n of h a i r on t h e head. H o w e v e r , the t e x t u r e and c o l o r of t h e same m a y differ a t the t i m e of b i r t h .

I t is a l s o the t i m e when y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to f o r m some o f those f i r s t facial e x p r e s s i o n s , owing t o the m a n y impulses t h a t will h a p p e n in t h e brain.

Y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to g r a s p , frown, g r i m a c e , and s q u i n t , and m a y even b e able t o suck t h e thumb.

Y o u r baby’s k i d n e y s will n o w produce u r i n e which w i l l move o n to t h e amniotic f l u i d that s u r r o u n d s your l i t t l e one.

1 2 . A t 15 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 9.1 c m in l e n g t h from t h e crown a r e a till t h e rump, a n d will w e i g h somewhere a r o u n d 70 g m .

I t is a l s o the w e e k when y o u r baby w i l l get h i s first h i c c u p s , preparing f o r the t i m e when y o u r baby w i l l learn h o w to b r e a t h e .

T h e legs w i l l now s t a r t to g r o w longer t h a n the a r m s , and y o u r baby w i l l also b e able t o move a l l the l i m b s and j o i n t s .

B y now, y o u r baby’s g e n i t a l s will b e almost f u l l y formed, a n d may s h o w up o n the u l t r a s o u n d scan. D e p e n d i n g on t h e gender i d e n t i f i c a t i o n rules i n your a r e a , you c a n speak t o your d o c t o r about t h e same.

1 3 . A t 16 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 10 c m in l e n g t h from t h e crown a r e a till t h e rump a n d will w e i g h about 1 0 0 gm. C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s , your l i t t l e one n o w is t h e size o f an a v o c a d o !

Y o u r baby w i l l now s t a r t improvising w i t h things a r o u n d , and m a y find a new t o y in t h e umbilical c o r d by p u l l i n g and c l u t c h i n g at i t .

T h e head w i l l now b e more e r e c t than w h a t it e v e r was b e f o r e , and t h e eyes w i l l move t o w a r d s the f r o n t of t h e head, w h e r e they w i l l be p l a c e d as a permanent s p o t .

Y o u r baby’s u r i n a r y tract a n d the c i r c u l a t o r y system w i l l also f u n c t i o n properly b y now.

B y now, y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to i n h a l e and e x h a l e the a m n i o t i c fluid t h r o u g h the l u n g s .

1 4 . A t 17 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 11 c m in l e n g t h from t h e crown a r e a till t h e rump a n d will w e i g h almost c l o s e to 1 4 0 gm.

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y ’ s skeleton w i l l be r u b b e r y , but w i l l gradually s t a r t to b e c o m e harder i n the c o m i n g weeks.

Y o u r baby’s s p i n a l cord w i l l now b e coated w i t h a p r o t e c t i v e substance k n o w n as t h e myelin.

A l s o , your b a b y will n o w start t o develop s w e a t glands a l l over t h e body.

T h e umbilical c o r d will a l s o grow t h i c k e r and s t r o n g e r now a n d assist y o u r baby i n overall g r o w t h and d e v e l o p m e n t .

1 5 . A t 18 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 12 c m in l e n g t h from t h e crown a r e a till t h e rump a n d will w e i g h somewhere a r o u n d 190 g m .

Y o u r baby’s c h e s t will n o w move i n an u p w a r d and d o w n w a r d movement, s u c h as h a p p e n s while b r e a t h i n g .

T h e blood v e s s e l s will s t i l l be v i s i b l e through t h e skin w h i l e the e a r s will s h i f t to t h e i r final p o s i t i o n , even t h o u g h they m a y look s l i g h t l y protruding f r o m the h e a d .

I f you a r e going t o have a female b a b y , the v a r i o u s female o r g a n s such a s the v a g i n a , the f a l l o p i a n tubes a n d the u t e r u s (the w o m b ) will d e v e l o p now.

I f you a r e going t o have a male b a b y , the g e n i t a l s will b e easily r e c o g n i z a b l e by t h i s stage.

1 6 . A t 19 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 14.2 c m in l e n g t h from t h e crown a r e a till t h e rump a n d will w e i g h almost 2 4 0 gm.

Y o u r baby w i l l continue t o swallow t h e amniotic f l u i d while t h e kidneys w i l l continue t o produce u r i n e .

T h e r e will b e a f i n e growth o f hair o n the s c a l p .

Y o u r baby’s s e n s o r y development w i l l be a t its h i g h e s t around t h i s time. Y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to d e v e l o p the v a r i o u s nerve c e l l s that w i l l help t o lay t h e foundation f o r the s e n s e s such a s taste, s m e l l , hear, t o u c h and s e e .

A t this s t a g e , there w i l l be l e s s production o f nerve c e l l s in t h e nerve c e l l s that a l r e a d y exist w i l l grow b i g g e r . Also, t h e y will s t a r t making m o r e complex c o n n e c t i o n s by n o w .

N o w is t h e time w h e n you w i l l be a b l e to f e e l the m o v e m e n t s that y o u r baby i s making i n s i d e you.

1 7 . A t 20 W e e k s :

S t a r t i n g this w e e k , your b a b y ’ s measurements w i l l be t a k e n from t h e crown a r e a till t h e heel, i n s t e a d of f r o m the c r o w n to t h e rump. B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 26 c m in l e n g t h from t h e crown a r e a to t h e heel a n d will c o n t i n u e to g a i n good w e i g h t .

Y o u r baby w i l l now b e covered i n a w h i t i s h and s l i c k substance k n o w n as t h e vernix c a s e o s a . It w i l l keep y o u r baby’s s k i n protected f r o m being i n s i d e the a m n i o t i c fluid f o r so l o n g .

D u r i n g this w e e k , your b a b y will b e doing m o r e swallowing w h i c h will h e l p to d e v e l o p the d i g e s t i v e system. O n c e the a m n i o t i c fluid g o e s inside y o u r baby, t h e body w i l l absorb t h e water a n d flush o f f the r e s t of t h e liquid t o the b o w e l area.

Y o u r baby’s b o w e l area w i l l keep a c c u m u l a t i n g the r e s i d u e of t h e digestive s y s t e m , which w i l l be a sticky s u b s t a n c e known a s the m e c o n i u m . It w i l l finally c o m e out o f your b a b y ’ s system a f t e r birth, i n the f i r s t motion t h a t your b a b y will p a s s .

1 8 . A t 21 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 27 c m in l e n g t h and w i l l weigh s o m e w h e r e around 3 6 0 gm.

B y this w e e k , your b a b y ’ s eyebrows a n d the e y e l i d s will b e completely d e v e l o p e d , and y o u r baby w i l l also b e able t o blink.

I f you a r e having a male b a b y , the t e s t i c l e s will c o m e down f r o m the p e l v i s towards t h e scrotum i n the n e x t few w e e k s .

1 9 . A t 22 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a b o u t 28 c m in l e n g t h and w i l l weigh s o m e w h e r e around 4 3 0 gm.

Y o u r baby w i l l now s t a r t to l o o k more l i k e a n e w b o r n , but a very t h i n one b e c a u s e the b a b y fat h a s not y e t developed.

T h e skin w i l l still l o o k very w r i n k l e d and t r a n s p a r e n t because y o u r baby i s due t o gain m o r e weight.

Y o u r baby’s l i p s will b e distinctly v i s i b l e by n o w , and t h e eyes w i l l form t h e way t h e y will l a t e r be a t birth. H o w e v e r , the i r i s , which i s the c o l o r e d part o f the e y e , will s t i l l not b e pigmented, s o m e t h i n g that w i l l happen l a t e r .

D u r i n g this w e e k , the p a n c r e a s will a l s o develop a t a s t e a d y pace. I t will h e l p your b a b y in p r o d u c i n g the e s s e n t i a l hormones.

A t this s t a g e , tiny t o o t h buds w i l l start t o develop n e a r your b a b y ’ s gums, m a r k i n g the s t a g e for t h e teeth t o set i n later.

2 0 . A t 23 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 29 c m and w i l l weigh s o m e w h e r e around 5 0 0 gm.

Y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to h e a r much b e t t e r and m a y also t r y to i m i t a t e various s o u n d s , such a s your v o i c e , your h e a r t beat o r even t h e rumbling s o u n d in y o u r stomach.

2 1 . A t 24 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 30 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 6 0 0 gm.

Y o u r baby’s b r a i n will c o n t i n u e to g r o w fast, a n d the t a s t e buds w i l l be f u l l y developed b y now.

Y o u r baby’s f o o t p r i n t s as w e l l as f i n g e r p r i n t s will s t i l l continue t o form.

T h e lungs w i l l now d e v e l o p various b r a n c h e s in t h e respiratory s y s t e m .

Y o u r baby w i l l also d e v e l o p cells t h a t will h e l p to p r o d u c e a s u b s t a n c e known a s surfactant. I t will h e l p to i n f l a t e your b a b y ’ s air s a c s at t h e time o f birth.

2 2 . A t 25 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 35 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 6 6 0 gm.

Y o u r baby w i l l now s t a r t developing s o m e baby f a t , and t h e skin w i l l become s m o o t h e r instead o f looking w r i n k l e d .

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y ’ s sensory p e r c e p t i o n s will b e quite s t r o n g . For i n s t a n c e , if y o u shine a bright l i g h t towards y o u r belly, y o u r baby w i l l turn a w a y its h e a d .

2 3 . A t 26 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 36 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 7 6 0 gm.

A r o u n d this t i m e , your b a b y will s t a r t opening t h e eyes a n d may e v e n be a b l e to h e a r you t a l k i n g to o t h e r s .

2 4 . A t 27 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 36 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 8 7 5 gm.

Y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to o p e n and c l o s e the e y e s , will s l e e p and w a k e up a t regular i n t e r v a l s and m a y also b e sucking a thumb.

T h e tissues i n the b r a i n will b e developing a t this s t a g e , and a c c o r d i n g to s o m e , your b a b y will n o w start t o dream.

2 5 . A t 28 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 38 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 1 kg.

Y o u r baby w i l l also b e able t o open a n d shut e y e s and t u r n the h e a d in r e s p o n s e to b r i g h t light f r o m outside.

B y now t h e eyelashes h a v e developed a n d your b a b y will b e able t o blink.

T h e bones w i l l be a l m o s t developed b u t will r e m a i n soft.

2 6 . A t 29 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 39 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 1 kg.

B y now t h e hair w i l l be r e a d y on t h e head.

I f you a r e having a male b a b y , the t e s t i c l e s will m o v e from n e a r the k i d n e y s to t h e scrotum t h r o u g h the g r o i n area.

I f you a r e having a female b a b y , the c l i t o r i s will b e quite p r o m i n e n t .

Y o u r baby’s h e a d will a l s o grow b i g g e r now t o make w a y for t h e growing b r a i n .

2 7 . A t 30 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 39 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 1 . 3 kg.

T h e lungs a n d digestive t r a c t will b e almost d e v e l o p e d by n o w .

Y o u r baby w i l l also b e able t o have s o m e distinction b e t w e e n dark a n d light.

2 8 . A t 31 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 41 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 1 . 5 kg.

Y o u r baby’s b o d y will d e v e l o p more b a b y fat a n d fill u p the a r m s and l e g s .

T h e movements w i l l now s t a r t to s l o w down a little, e s p e c i a l l y as t h e r e will b e less r o o m to m o v e around.

T h e organs w i l l keep d e v e l o p i n g , and y o u r baby w i l l also c o n t i n u e to f l u s h water f r o m the b l a d d e r .

2 9 . A t 32 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 42 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 1 . 7 kg.

Y o u r baby w i l l continue t o inhale t h e amniotic f l u i d , and t h e skin w i l l also t u r n very s m o o t h now.

I f you a r e having a male b a b y , the t e s t i c l e s will m o v e down f r o m the a b d o m e n into t h e scrotum.

3 0 . A t 33 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 44 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 2 kg.

A t this s t a g e , your b a b y will p r o b a b l y turn i n a h e a d down p o s i t i o n , to s t a r t preparing f o r the b i r t h .

T h e skull w i l l still b e very s o f t , but t h e other b o n e s in t h e body w i l l start t o become h a r d e r .

I n the c a s e of a first p r e g n a n c y , the b a b y ’ s head m a y move i n t o the p e l v i s and p r e s s against t h e cervix. I n the c a s e of a subsequent p r e g n a n c y , it m a y happen a week b e f o r e you g e t into l a b o r .

3 1 . A t 34 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 45 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 2 . 2 kg.

Y o u r baby w i l l now g r o w rounder a s the b a b y fat d e v e l o p s .

Y o u r baby’s h e a r i n g senses a r e also f u l l y developed b y now, w h i c h means t h e y will b e able t o hear y o u r voice w h e n you t a l k .

3 2 . A t 35 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 46 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 2 . 4 kg.

Y o u r baby w i l l now h a v e a f u l l set o f finger a n d toenails a n d also k i d n e y s that a r e fully d e v e l o p e d .

Y o u r baby’s l i v e r will a l s o start t o flush s o m e of t h e waste p r o d u c t s .

3 3 . A t 36 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 47 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 2 . 7 kg.

3 4 . A t 37 W e e k s :

B y now y o u r baby w i l l measure a r o u n d 48.6 c m and m a y weigh s o m e w h e r e around 2 . 8 k g .

T h e downy l a y e r of h a i r known a s lanugo w i l l now a l m o s t shed o f f completely, a s well a s the w h i t e protective c o a t i n g known a s the v e r n i x caseosa. Y o u r baby w i l l swallow a l l of i t and s t o r e it i n the b o w e l , which w i l l come o u t after b i r t h in t h e first b o w e l movement. A l l of t h i s will c o m e out a s your b a b y ’ s first s t o o l , which w i l l be b l a c k in c o l o r and i s called t h e meconium.

3 5 . A t 38 W e e k s :

Y o u r baby c o u l d be b o r n any t i m e now.

I t is s u r e l y a m a g i c a l experience t o learn h o w your b a b y develops i n s i d e you a l l through p r e g n a n c y . Remember t h a t not a l l babies w i l l develop i n the s a m e way, a n d some m a y develop a little s l o w e r while s o m e may d e v e l o p a l i t t l e faster t h a n others. Y o u r doctor w i l l monitor y o u r baby’s g r o w t h constantly, s o make s u r e you a s k about a n y queries o r concern y o u may f e e l .

D i d you f i n d the p o s t useful? T e l l us h e r e .

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