Our Baby's Development This Week - 16 weeks

This week the baby's muscles are continuing their development. The baby is going through motions to prepare for life outside the womb. Now the baby can kick with its legs, turn its feet in and outward at the ankles and even curl its toes. The baby's head has experienced significant growth, but during this month the body will now begin to grow faster than the head.

Other changes that are happening:

• The baby's head and neck will straighten more this week as back muscles get stronger and more bone is formed.
• Toenails are now forming from the nail bed.
• Rapid growth of the baby may result in you showing and the need to switch to looser fitting maternity clothes.

Baby's Size (head to rump) this week: About 4.3 to 4.7 inches

Weight: Approximately 2.75 ounces

Right now our baby would fill the size of your open palm and fingers.

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15 Weeks!

This is me at 15 weeks!

Our Baby's Development This Week-Week 15

The baby's muscles are developing well. By this point they have become less jerky and operate with a smoother motion like an infant. The baby's face is becoming more human-like as the eyes, which started near the sides of the head, have moved inward and the ears have come to their natural place.

Other changes that are happening:

• The baby's neck is well defined and the head now rests on the neck and not the shoulders.
• The baby's scalp hair pattern will be determined this week.
• Our baby now has considerable hand movement and can make a fist and move at the wrist.

Baby's Size (head to rump) this week: 4 to 4.5 inches.

Weight : 1.75 ounces

Right now our baby is about the size of a large grapefruit.

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Our Baby's Development This Week-Week 14

By this week most of the major structures are formed in the baby and they continue to grow for the remainder of my pregnancy. The baby begins practicing inhaling and exhaling, sending amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. This is believed to be an important part of proper formation of the air sacs.

Other changes that are happening:

• The baby is beginning to use its thumb in opposition to other fingers.
• The baby's spleen will start to work with the liver to remove old red blood cells and to create antibodies.
• The baby's muscles in the cheeks are strengthening with sucking motions and salivary glands are beginning to function.

Baby's Size (head to rump) this week: About 3.5 to 4 inches.

Weight : About 1 ounce

Right now our baby is about the size of your computer mouse or small fist.

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Thirteen Weeks!

This is me at 13 weeks!

Our Baby's Development This Week-Week 13

The growth of our baby is rapid and the head to rump length will double in the next 3 weeks. The baby's vocal cords are developing in the larynx but the baby will not make sounds until birth. This week all of the baby's twenty baby teeth have formed in the gums!

Other changes that are happening:

• Our baby's external genitalia are starting to show distinguishing characteristics.
• The baby's intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to the abdomen.
• The baby's pancreas is now producing insulin.

Baby's Size and Weight this week: About 2 1/2 to 3 inches.

Right now our baby is about the size of a nectarine.

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Our other baby!

Max's first picture with Santa!

Our Baby's Development This Week-Week12

Both me and the baby are growing right along. By now I have probably gained 2-4 pounds. The baby's palate has formed. The palate divides the mouth from the nose, making it possible to eat and breathe at the same time.

Other changes that are happening:

• Our baby's fingernails and toenails are beginning to grow.
• The baby's brain has the basic structure it will have at birth.
• The baby's digestive tract is becoming functional and developing the ability to push through food.

Baby's Size (head to rump) this week: About 2.5 inches.

Right now our baby is about the size of a billiard ball.

BabyFit.com

Prenatal Visit!

I went to see my doctor yesterday for a check-up. Everything is going good and my progress is right where it should be. An added bonus of this doctor's visit was that Zach and I heard our baby's heartbeat! It was the most exciting thing that I've ever experienced, the doctor said the heartbeat was very strong!