Our little one’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of Pudding’s remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development.
The good news is: if Pudding is born premature now he/she will be more likely to survive without too much trauma as his/her lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means our little one’s tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day.
· The structures of Pudding’s spine – 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments – begin to form. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for our child’s body.
· Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
· Our 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!
· The nerves around Pudding’s mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now and his/her swallowing reflexes are developing.
· Dexterity is improving. Our baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.
· This week Pudding will be moving slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating into a better position for exit during birth. Pudding’s head and feet are slowly rotating so that his/her head is pointed down towards the birth canal.
· Our child has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).
When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments: tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become. ~Louis Pasteur
That research about scent preferences is amazing! I wonder how the research is undertaken. Be surrounded only by nice smelling scents!
You will be pleased when it is out of breech and sitting in the right spot!
Yay! Week 25! Does that count has hump week? Knowing that if Pudding does arrive early he/she will be safe? Not too long now until your first Mother and Father Day!