The baby is aware of noise and light and responds to touch. Limbs are now fully formed. kidneys are beginning to function; baby swallowing amniotic fluid or breathing the amniotic fluid in and out of their lungs, rather than absorbing it through the skin, and excretes it. The thyroid gland

is maturing or already matured and the baby begins to produce hormones which they will use throughout their life.

The babies body systems are starting to work on their own now, which is very exciting. The digestive system starts to practice food moving alone the intestines and out through the renal and can now create or eliminate urine. The boys the prostate gland starts to develop and in the girls the ovaries begin to move from the abdomen to the pelvis.

Your baby has little tiny fingers and very soft nails as they are growing on their fingers and toes. The hair is also beginning to grow and your probally wondering what colour it is. Also the Lunugo which is very fine hair will shed prior to birth usually and it will grow until baby is 26 weeks gestational age, this is to help protect baby's skin while in the womb full of water. Baby also learns to suck his/her thumb at this point, but not to worry if your baby isnt.

Your baby is approximately 3.5 – 4 inches) around 10 – 11.5cm long. At this point your baby's bones are getting stronger yet harder every day. The joints and muscles allow baby to have full body movement and is able to move around in the womb. The eyes and ears slowly move into place and also the hands are becoming functional. The baby's nourishment is coming from the placenta now so whatever you eat and drink is going through to your baby.

Now you will be having mood swings and your hormones will be all over the place but they are starting to slow down now that you are out of the first trimester. You may experience constipation as your baby maybe pushing against your bowel. This is because of the lower hormone levels and your intestinal muscels are working a little more slowly than usual. Try having or increasing fibre in your diet if this is the case.

Also by this stage you may notice the areola is darker and a lot largerthis is the dark part of your nipple area. This is normal as it is getting ready for you to breastfeed when baby is born. Remember to be taking your pregnancy vitamins they will be helping with the development of baby and yourself.

 

Here is a picture of a 14 week old fetus

www.pregnancy.org/images/pregnancy/pregnancycalendar/newcalpics/14wk500.jpg