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I was thinking about when I was pregnant with my boys, and remembered how much I used to love reading up on my babys development for that particular week. One thing Ive noticed is I cant seem to find a pregnancy timeline anywhere on Minti, so I thought Id do
some research from various sources and make one of my own. I want to make it clear that due to copyright restrictions I have not directly cut and pasted or copied anything from websites or books, but have read it and re-written it in my own wording from what I have learnt. All credits will go to the corresponding websites, books and magazines at the bottom of the page, where I have gotten my information from. If anyone feels that I have breached copyright in any way, please let me know. Cheers, and enjoy your reading!
Interesting facts:
Did you know that the placenta acts as a substitute for your baby's lungs, liver and kidneys? And during pregnancy your uterus will increase 20 times its size in weight. That's pretty impressive! When a baby is forming in the womb, its ears begin to develop on its neck rather than on the sides of its head.
Weeks 13-16
Welcome to the second trimester. For the majority of women, this trimester is the easiest part. For many, morning sickness has eased or completely vanished, blotchy skin begins to clear up, your belly starts to round nicely, and your skin starts to glow. What a fantastic time in your life!
At week 13 your baby's neck is now longer, which makes it look more human on an ultrasound. And as for your body, the areola of your nipples may now darken, and you may start to notice a dark line run down the centre of your belly like a snail trail. As you get bigger you may notice silver, blue, or pinkish stretch marks beginning to appear on your belly, breasts, buttocks and hips. Some lucky women never see a stretch mark in their life. Its a good idea to take preventative measures if you ever want to show off your tummy at the beach again post-childbirth. Cocoa butter for stretch marks works wonders in keeping the elasticity in your skin, and will help prevent these nasties.
At week 14 your baby starts to begin to practice breathing movements to prepare him or her for life outside your womb. His or her hands are becoming functional, and can now grip the umbilical cord. At this point the baby still recieves all of its nourishment from the placenta.
At week 15 your baby can suck its thumb. Its reproductive organs are beginning to mature inside its body, and fine, downy hair is beginning to appear on its body. It is now beginning to grow eyelashes and eyebrows.
Week 16 sees your baby measuring about 15cm in length and weighing in at an impressive 170grams. It comes complete with fingernails and toe nails! It can even swallow amniotic fluid and pass urine now.
References:
pregnancyguideonline.com, the purple book supplied by Westmead Hospital, babyworld.co.uk
(September 2007) (
