We’re half way there!
- The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
- Pudding’s legs are reaching their relative size. With an increase muscle development occurring as well, we will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
- Immunities are being transferred from me to our baby now. These immune cells will protect Pudding from viruses I’ve already had for up to six months after birth!
- Pudding’s nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
- Our baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds and can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during development stages often are calming after birth.
- Pudding’s little delicates bones continue to ossify and toughen while his/her itsy, bitsy finger and toe pads are finishing up.
- At this point, our little one really looks like a miniature baby—and I do mean miniature as our little swimmer currently weighs a mere eighth of his/her final birth weight. With half the pregnancy behind us, the most significant gains are yet to come!
- White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body’s defence systems. They help fight infections and diseases.
- Our little one’s skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque. While in the dermatology department: Pudding’s thin soft skin is very red, rather translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it’s not a premature aging disease. It’s just his/her clever little body setting them up with extra space that will smooth out once our little one starts packing on the baby-fat.
- The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting to fill in to help our baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as Pudding is not yet capable of regulating his/her own body temperature.
- Our baby’s tongue is fully formed. If we were able to peek we might catch Pudding practicing giving us a raspberry!
- Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets his/her internal clock to match the outside world’s even before birth! My eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as Pudding’s signals. I am pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement (REM) a key component to any healthy baby’s sleep schedule.
- Babies are measured from the crown of the head to the rump (or bottom) until about 20 weeks. After that, they’re measured from head to toe. This is because a baby’s legs are curled up against his torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.
- By the end of the week Pudding measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).
God’s interest in the human race is nowhere better evinced than in obstetrics. ~Martin H. Fischer
I read this somewhere, and loved it!
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
Elizabeth Stone
I’m so proud of my niece or nephew, undertaking so many tasks this week so that they will come out perfect. Its so amazing to find out how it happens and when. When i see you next i will talk to the belly because they are going to know their Auntie’s voice when they decide to come out!
Catch ya later.