Development of the Fetus (page 2)

24-28 Weeks

You...
  Find you are peeing constantly as your baby pushes against your bladder again.
  Your back aches because of your enlarged uterus and it's hard to find a comfortable sleeping position.
  Your baby has the same proportions as a newborn so there's less room to wriggle around.
 
Your Baby...
  Prepares himself for birth.
  Fat builds up under his skin, his head hair grows, his eyelids open and his brain is more active.
  She can hear a lot now, including internal and external noises. She also recognises your voice and her heartbeat will quicken when you speek.
  Aprroximately measures about 28 cm.

28-32 Weeks

You...
  Find your abdomen so stretch that you naval has flattened
  Your uterus is hardening and contracts ready for labor (Braxton Hicks) but you may not be aware of it.

Your Baby...
  Approximately measures 32 cm.
  Is now perfectly formed.
  He can see light through your abdomen wall, making him blink.
  He moves around less as he puts on weight and his head should point down.
  His lungs aren't fully mature yet but he has a good chance of survival if born now.

Click on baby to go back home!

36 Weeks

You...
  May actually lose weight as birth nears.
  The heartburn eases as your baby moves away from the ribs and down into your pelvis.
  Should rest now and conserve your energy for labor

Your Baby...
  Gets ready for birth by practicing her breathing, sucking and swallowing.
  The fine downy hair on her body is gone.
  Her intestines fill with meconium (first bowel movement) which she will pass in the first 2 days after birth.
  Her head now dropped into your pelvis ready for birth.  It could be any day now!!!

Go back to page 1 of Fetal development

Information about pregnancy and birth

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