A little late, had a busy work week, but that's a good thing!
Fetal Development This Week
Baby's Taste Buds Develop
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana. There's still a great deal of room in your womb — though your tenant will soon begin to feel cramped, so be prepared!
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana. By 21 weeks pregnant, your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day — not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting — skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain tastes in utero via the amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now!
Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb — though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day! (Now if only you could get some sleep!)
What is happenning now?
You are now 21 weeks pregnant (the beginning of week 22).
Your baby is around 10 inches and weighs about 1 pound.
Most women have definitely felt their baby move inside them by now, although the sensations may still be sporadic and infrequent. A few women are still waiting!
Your baby's skin is being increasingly covered by vernix. This is a thick, white, greasy cream that protects their skin in their watery environment. Vernix disappears by about 40 weeks, but if your baby is born at 39 weeks or less, you will notice it is still on their skin. Your baby's eyelids are still fused shut but the retinas of their eyes are fully developed and they now have distinct eyelashes and eyebrows. Your baby's hair follicles are now pigmenting to give them hair colour, looking dark, fair or red!
You are now 21 weeks pregnant (the beginning of week 22).
Your baby is around 10 inches and weighs about 1 pound.
Most women have definitely felt their baby move inside them by now, although the sensations may still be sporadic and infrequent. A few women are still waiting!
Your baby's skin is being increasingly covered by vernix. This is a thick, white, greasy cream that protects their skin in their watery environment. Vernix disappears by about 40 weeks, but if your baby is born at 39 weeks or less, you will notice it is still on their skin. Your baby's eyelids are still fused shut but the retinas of their eyes are fully developed and they now have distinct eyelashes and eyebrows. Your baby's hair follicles are now pigmenting to give them hair colour, looking dark, fair or red!
Physical Changes
Women often describe Braxton-Hicks contractions as a hardness or mild cramping of their belly. Some women liken it to a tight band being pulled across their uterus, which usually eases if they change position or what they are doing. Most women find Braxton Hicks contractions painless and many women are not even aware they are happening, perhaps until their caregiver points one out to them while feeling their belly at a pregnancy visit. However, Braxton Hicks contractions can feel quite strong and painful for a few women, even labor-like, especially if this is not their first baby.
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