The baby's head-to-bum length is about 8.8 inches. Weight has increased to around 1.5 pounds and fat is still being deposited at a high rate. Babies come in all shapes and sizes, so our baby could vary slightly from these `average` measurements. Wendy's uterus has grown quite a bit bigger this week. The top of her uterus is between her bellybutton and her sternum. It is about the size of a soccer ball now!
If our baby were delivered at this time, it would have a good chance of surviving. It is best for her to remain inside for the remainder of the pregnancy, even though great advances have been made in the care of a premature baby. Ventilators, monitors and medications all help premature babies develop and grow outside of the womb. If she were born this early, she would probably have to spend several months in the hospital and would be more susceptible to infections and other complications. Her chances of riding the short bus to school would be very high.
We can hear the baby's heartbeat with both a doppler and a stethoscope at this time, and I can even hear the heartbeat unaided if I put my ear in the right position. Sex differentiation is being completed now. She is able to do more with her fingers now and can move them to make a complete fist. As she becomes more dextrous, she will be able to touch and hold her feet. Babies also begin to prefer their left hand or right hand at this time. Wendy has noticed the baby has routines of sleep and activity. Sometimes she feels the most fetal movements while she is trying to rest, which is pretty much all of the time.
We can hear the baby's heartbeat with both a doppler and a stethoscope at this time, and I can even hear the heartbeat unaided if I put my ear in the right position. Sex differentiation is being completed now. She is able to do more with her fingers now and can move them to make a complete fist. As she becomes more dextrous, she will be able to touch and hold her feet. Babies also begin to prefer their left hand or right hand at this time. Wendy has noticed the baby has routines of sleep and activity. Sometimes she feels the most fetal movements while she is trying to rest, which is pretty much all of the time.
