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2Nd trimester symptoms of baby girl


12 Signs And Symptoms Of Baby Girl During Pregnancy

Predicting a baby’s gender isn’t possible; try these symptom-based gender predictions for fun.

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Guessing an unborn baby’s gender can be fun and interesting. Perhaps that’s why there are several old wives’ tales on this topic. One such myth calls for checking for certain symptoms that are considered the symptoms of a baby girl during pregnancy.

Though these signs or symptoms may have predicted the baby’s gender correctly for some mothers, it is usually due to luck and has no scientific backing. Hence, detecting a baby’s gender by mere signs and symptoms is impossible. Instead, getting an ultrasound at 20 weeks can help (1).  Greg J. Marchand, MD, FACS, FACOG, program director at Steward Health, Providence, Rhode Island, says, “You cannot determine the sex without blood testing, ultrasound, MRI, or some form of invasive sampling such as amniocentesis or CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling).”

However, if you’re looking for a fun way to pass time, keep reading for some interesting myths that are believed to indicate whether you are carrying a baby girl.

Signs You Are Having A Baby Girl – Are They True?

Here are some signs that people use to guess if the unborn baby is a girl. However, they do not have any scientific backing, as these signs may be true in the case of baby boys as well.

1. Fetal heart rate is high

It is said that if the heart rate of the baby is high, and above 140 -160 beats per minute, it indicates that you are having a baby girl.

Scientific studies state that there is no relation between the heart rate and the baby’s sex. The normal fetal heartbeat ranges between 120 and 160 bpm, and might usually go lower before birth (2). Also, there is no difference between the heart rates of male and female babies in the first trimester (3).

2. Carrying high

Another age-old belief says that if you appear to carry your baby higher, it indicates that you are pregnant with a baby girl.

How a woman carries her baby depends on the weight of the baby, the growing uterus, placental location, and the amniotic fluid (4). It has nothing to do with sex, and the myth has no scientific evidence.

Did you know?

The abdominal wall is not stretched out yet during the first pregnancy, so the uterus appears higher. In subsequent pregnancies, the uterus appears lower since the abdominal wall is already stretched out (15).

3. Severe morning sickness

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The common belief is that severe morning sickness is a clear sign that you are carrying a baby girl.

Morning sickness is associated with hormonal changes, and it is one of the common symptoms of pregnancy. Most women experience it until the first trimester, while some may have it until delivery (5). There is no scientific evidence suggesting that fetal sex and morning sickness are related.

Related: Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness: Is It Safe During Pregnancy

4. Skin and hair changes

Some people think that oily skin and dull hair are signs of having a baby girl.

Although there is a belief that girls steal the mother’s beauty, there is no scientific study or anecdotal evidence to support it. Hormonal changes could be the reasons for changes in the skin and hair, and that might differ from woman to woman (6).

5. Carrying in the middle

Another belief is that if your belly protrudes to the front and looks pointed, it is a sign that you are having a boy. And if your belly weight is accumulated in the middle, making it look round, then the belief is that you are going to have a girl.

This is similar to the idea of carrying the baby higher or lower. However, this is also a myth and may not help in determining the sex of the baby. Postural changes occur as the baby grows inside, and the tummy bulges outwards (4). The way you carry is related to your body type, weight gain, and other physical conditions. Dr. Marchand observes, “Each pregnancy is different, and ‘bumps’ can present in different ways depending on the strength of the ligaments supporting the uterus.”

6. Mood swings

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Sudden mood swings, such as extreme irritability, depression, and anger, are believed to indicate that you are probably carrying a baby girl.

Mood swings are common occurrences during pregnancy and usually last only a while (7). So, you are likely to experience mood swings irrespective of carrying a girl or a boy.

Trivia

According to a study, “Male fetal sex was associated with the onset of depressive symptoms during the postnatal period (16).”

Related: 9 Effective Measures To Control Your Anger During Pregnancy

7. Breast size

Another myth is that if the left breast appears slightly bigger than the right one, it means you are carrying a girl.

Breast changes are one of the early signs of pregnancy and are a result of hormonal changes. They tend to swell as they prepare for breast milk supply (8). However, there is no evidence linking the changes in breast size and sex of the baby.

8. Sleeping on one side

It is believed that if you tend to sleep on your right side for most of your pregnancy, you are probably going to give birth to a baby girl.

This, however, is not true, and no scientific studies link the baby’s sex to the side on which the mother sleeps. It is natural for pregnant women to change sleeping positions often, to find a comfortable position for accommodating the growing tummy. Some use pillows underneath the belly or between the knees for extra comfort (9) and sleep in a position that most suits them.

9. Urine color

Image: iStock

Convention wisdom says that dull yellow colored urine indicates that you are carrying a girl.

Urine color is not related to the sex of the baby, but it tells about your health. Dull or clear urine could be due to hydration, whereas dark urine is a sign of dehydration (10). Foods, supplements, and medications may also change the color of urine.

Related: Why Does The Urine Color Change During Pregnancy And When To Worry?

10. Craving sweets

A common belief is that when you crave for sweet foods like chocolates and ice-creams, you are having a baby girl.

There is no connection between cravings and the baby’s sex. Cravings could be due to hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, pharmacologically active substances (present in specific foods), cultural and psychosocial factors. However, there isn’t enough research to support these hypotheses (11).

11. Graceful appearance

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Some believe that if you remain graceful throughout your pregnancy, you are going to have a beautiful baby girl, and if you feel clumsy, it is a boy.

Being graceful or clumsy is not at all related to the baby’s sex. The minor slips and clumsiness usually because of the increasing weight and change in center of gravity that could put you off balance. Most women tend to feel clumsy, tired, and imbalanced in the second trimester (12).

12. Linea nigra

It is believed that the dark line (linea nigra) that appears on your baby bump can also indicate the baby’s sex. If the line continues to stretch above your belly button, it is a baby boy. But if the line finishes below your belly button, it is a baby girl.

In reality, the linea nigra is a skin change that occurs due to an increase in the melanin pigment and is not determined by the sex of the baby (13).

Culturally, women tried a few things to predict the sex of the unborn baby. We list a few of them next.

Related: Linea Nigra: What It Is, Causes And How To Get Rid Of It

Fun Ways To Predict You Are Carrying A Baby Girl

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People use these fun ways to try and predict the sex of the baby at home, or on special occasions such as a baby shower. However, these are not scientific and should not be taken seriously.

1. Swinging a ring

  • Tie a ring using a thread and hang it over your belly.
  • If the ring rotates in a circular motion on your belly, then it is a sign that you’re carrying a baby girl.

Related: What Is Ring Gender Test? How Does It Work? And Its Accuracy

2. Unlocking the mystery

  • Your partner or a friend can try it on you. They will place a key in front of you, and you have to pick it up.
  • If you grab the round end, you will have a girl and if you pick the narrow end, it is a boy.

3. Chinese birth calendar

  • A Chinese birth chart determines your baby’s sex by monitoring the age and month of your conception.
  • This method emphasizes your age and year of conception. If both the numbers are even or odd, then it’s a girl. But if one is even and the other is odd, it’s a boy.

Quick fact

Research established that the popular Chinese lunar calendar method is as non-reliable as other non-medical gender prediction techniques (17).

1. How do you guarantee the conception of a baby girl?

Although some beliefs and methods claim to guarantee the conception of a baby girl, the only technique that may guarantee the desired sex of the baby is preimplantation genetic diagnosis. In this technique, a sperm is implanted in the egg through in vitro fertilization. However, the result of this method is also not 100% certain (15).

2. Are headaches more common when pregnant with a girl?

No, headaches are common during pregnancy, irrespective of the sex of the fetus. Some causes of headaches may be lack of sleep, dehydration, low blood pressure, or stress (16).

3. Who kicks more in the womb — boys or girls?

Studies show that the frequency of kicking in the womb does not depend on the baby’s sex but on how active the baby is inside the womb. Hence, boys and girls may kick with the same frequency (17).

4. Which side of the uterus is the baby girl?

Dr. Marchand says, “There is no correlation between the baby’s gender and the side of the uterus the baby is on.”

Experiencing a central or upper bulge, severe morning sickness, mood swings, and sweet cravings are some of the tell-tale symptoms of baby girl during pregnancy. However, none of these have scientific backing and can’t be used to identify the gender. You may also use a ring or a key to add to the guessing game. Sex determination is legal in some countries, and only the doctor can help you know your child’s sex by taking an ultrasound scan between the 18th and 22nd week (14).

Disclaimer: Sex-prediction methods are only for fun and do not replace medical examinations. MomJunction believes in gender equality; we do not support or encourage sex determination nor entertain any queries on finding the sex of the baby.

Did you notice any of the signs when you were pregnant with a girl? How accurate were they? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. 20 weeks ultrasound; Cleveland Clinic
2. Fetal Heartbeat; OB-GYN 101: Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology; Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
3. McKenna D.S et al.; Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy; Karger Journals (2006)
4. Antenatal Care Module: 7. Physiological Changes During Pregnancy; The Open University
5. Noel M. Lee and Sumona Saha; Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy; Gastroenterol Clin North Am (2013)
6. Normal Breast Development and Changes; University of Rochester Medical Center
7. Amy L. McKenzie et al.; Urine color as an indicator of urine concentration in pregnant and lactating women; Eur J Nutr (2017)
8. Marc T. and Gary R. G.; Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy; American Academy of Family Physicians (2007)
9. Maternal Mental Health; Oregon Health Authority
10. Natalia C. Orloff and Julia M. Hormes; Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy; Frontiers in Psychology
11. Week-by-week guide to pregnancy – Week 26 – your second trimester; NHS (UK)
12. 7.8.1 Linea nigra; The Open University
13. What Do The Kicks Say About Well-Being? Mombaby
14. Common Prenatal Tests & Screenings; UC San Diego Health
15. WHICH PREGNANCY MYTHS ARE ACTUALLY TRUE?; University of Utah Health
16. Whitney Cowell et al.; Fetal sex and maternal postpartum depressive symptoms: findings from two prospective pregnancy cohorts; Biol Sex Differ (2021)
17. Eduardo Villamor, et al.; Accuracy of the Chinese lunar calendar method to predict a baby’s sex: a population-based study; Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology (2010)


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8 signs of having a baby girl: Myths vs. facts

Apart from having a doctor’s opinion during an ultrasound, is it possible to predict a baby’s sex?

Friends and family may point out signs of having a girl or boy, but most of these will probably be based on folklore rather than science.

An ultrasound at 20 weeks into the pregnancy is the most reliable way to tell a baby’s sex.

This article discusses some of the traditionally held signs that someone is having a girl, as well as whether they have any scientific evidence to support them.

We look at the science behind eight traditional signs of having a girl:

1. Severe morning sickness

Share on PinterestSevere morning sickness may be a sign of having a girl.

Some people think that severe morning sickness is a sign of having a girl. In fact, recent research suggests that feeling ill during pregnancy may be linked to the baby’s sex.

A 2017 study found that women carrying girls experienced more inflammation when their immune systems were exposed to bacteria compared to those carrying boys.

This difference may impact the way women carrying girls experience morning sickness. They may feel more unwell than those carrying boys.

More research is needed to fully understand if there is a link between morning sickness and a baby’s sex.

2. Extreme mood swings

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can often cause mood swings. Some people think that women carrying girls have higher levels of estrogen and are moodier as a result. Research does not support this theory, however.

Hormone levels rise during pregnancy and fall after giving birth regardless of whether the baby is male or female.

3. Weight gain around the middle

If a woman gains lots of weight around her middle during pregnancy, some people think this means she is having a girl. They may also believe that gaining weight just in the front of the body indicates a boy.

Again, scientific evidence does not back up this theory. Where a woman gains weight in pregnancy depends on her body type.

4. Carrying the baby high

Carrying the baby high is an often-repeated sign of having a girl. Despite its popularity, this has no scientific basis.

Where a woman carries her baby depends on her:

  • body type
  • weight gain
  • fitness level
  • muscle strength

5. Sugar cravings

Women often experience new cravings when pregnant. Some people think if a woman craves sugar, she may be carrying a girl, whereas salty cravings may indicate a boy.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that food cravings during pregnancy can indicate the sex of the baby.

6. Stress levels

Share on PinterestIf a woman has high stress levels before conceiving, she may be more likely to have a girl.

A women’s stress levels before she conceives may influence a baby’s sex. A 2012 study found a relationship between levels of the stress hormone cortisol and the male to female birth ratio.

In this study, women with high levels of cortisol were statistically more likely to have a girl.

A 2013 study found that in the two years following an earthquake on the Greek island of Zakynthos, the male birth rate dropped. Researchers suspected that increased stress levels in the island’s community affected the birth ratio.

More research is needed to properly understand the link between stress and the sex of unborn babies.

7. Oily skin and dull hair

Some people believe that having oily skin and dull hair may mean a woman is carrying a girl.

This belief is not scientifically based.

On the other hand, changes in oil production or hair appearance during pregnancy may relate to hormonal changes or changes in diet.

8. Baby’s rapid heartbeat

Some people believe that if the baby’s heart beats rapidly, they may be female.

However, researchers debunked this myth decades ago in a study that found no significant difference between the heart rate in male and female fetuses.

The best opportunity to find out a baby’s sex is when the doctor carries out an ultrasound scan at 20 weeks.

The doctor will look at the baby’s genitals during the scan to determine their sex. This is usually accurate but not always, as many things can obscure the ultrasound image.

There are some other procedures the doctor can perform to get a definitive answer, including:

  • amniocentesis
  • chorionic villus sampling
  • noninvasive prenatal testing

A doctor will usually only offer these procedures if they are concerned about the health of the baby.

Most anecdotal signs of having a girl are myths that need debunking.

Excessive morning sickness and preconception stress may mean it is more likely a woman will have a girl, but much more research is needed to understand fully how these factors influence a baby’s sex.

The most useful way to determine a baby’s sex is to ask for the doctor’s professional opinion at the 20-week ultrasound.

Second trimester of pregnancy (from 13 to 28 weeks)

The beginning of the second trimester is traditionally considered one of the calmest. Walk more. Walking is very helpful. Sit down to rest only when you are tired. Movement in the fresh air improves the supply of oxygen to the fetus, which is very necessary for its normal development.

Nausea disappears, appetite improves. Do not eat a lot of salty, refuse marinades, smoked meats, if you have not done this before. The increased need of the child's body for proteins and vitamins begins. The daily diet should include meat or fish (boiled or stewed), dairy products, especially cottage cheese, eggs. Do not forget about vegetables, fruits, greens. An excellent source of vitamin C is sauerkraut (rather than salted) cabbage. Salads from carrots, cabbage, beets, apples, green radish should be on your table every day.

At 17-20 weeks you will feel your baby's first kicks. From them you can determine how comfortable the baby feels. Intense tremors are a signal of lack of oxygen. Maybe you haven’t walked for a long time or, on the contrary, you are engaged in hard physical labor. Get out into the fresh air or lie down to rest and you will immediately feel how the child has calmed down.

But the lack of movement is an alarm. See a doctor immediately!

The fetal need for calcium sharply increases - intensive growth of the skeleton has begun. If you don't have enough free calcium in your body right now, you could lose your teeth. To prevent this from happening, start taking calcium supplements in consultation with your doctor.

At this time, toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy may occur, the child suffers greatly from it. Therefore, if the doctor suggests hospitalization, do not refuse. Toxicosis can, if not be avoided, then at least reduce its manifestations. Be sure to follow your diet. Completely exclude salty, smoked, fried, spicy, canned food, chocolate. Do not eat a lot of grapes and drink fresh milk. Limit flour and rich products. As before, your diet should include boiled meat and fish, oatmeal and buckwheat porridge, vegetables and fruits

Periodically, once a week, check for fluid retention in the body. It is allowed to release liquid 200-300 ml less than what was drunk. If little urine is released, this is a signal of latent edema and the onset of toxicosis.

It is very good if you can measure your blood pressure at home. Show the results of measurements at the next visit to the doctor. Both high and too low pressure should alert. With low pressure, blood sluggishly crosses the placenta, and the baby does not receive enough nutrients.

Do not neglect blood tests - it is important not to miss the development of anemia. In this case, you will be prescribed iron supplements and multivitamins. The diet should include beef liver, tomato juice, buckwheat porridge, apples, preferably Antonovskie (they contain more iron than other varieties).

Women who are at risk of giving birth to a child with a genetic pathology (those who have severe hereditary ailments in their families), as well as women over 35 years old (they have an increased likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome) are referred for a consultation by a geneticist.

In case of a normal pregnancy at 20-22 weeks of pregnancy, a second scheduled ultrasound examination is prescribed.

Second trimester of pregnancy - “Healthy baby online account”

Home — Healthy baby account — Articles by age — For pregnant women — Second trimester of pregnancy: changes by weeks

So, the most carefree period of bearing a child has come - the second trimester. The tummy of the expectant mother is already a little rounded, but the movements are not yet constrained, the unpleasant symptoms of toxicosis are behind, there are practically no edema and shortness of breath, the fact of pregnancy is psychologically accepted, the woman feels peace, interest in what is happening and energetically makes plans for the future with a new family member.

The child continues to develop and improve every second. It is during this period that his movements will become tangible.

However, pregnancy is not always a predictable condition. Troubles can overtake both mother and baby. Parents should be careful, be vigilant and inform their gynecologist about issues of concern to them in the condition of a woman.

What happens to a pregnant woman in the second trimester?

At the beginning of the second trimester, special outward signs of pregnancy are not yet noticeable. The tummy is rounded, but clearly contoured in the late afternoon, and the girl, if desired, can easily hide it from prying eyes with clothes. With each week, the waist circumference increases, the pelvic bones expand, the chest increases significantly in size, and by the end of the fifth month, an interesting position becomes obvious to others.

What other changes might an expectant mother face? Let's take a closer look

  • A dark strip appears and becomes more and more noticeable on the tummy, going from the pubis to the navel along the midline. It is a consequence of hormonal changes, after delivery, pigmentation will go away by itself, you should not worry about this. The same should be said about the increased "fluffiness" of the tummy during this period of time.
  • Due to the increased tension of the skin of the abdomen (it does not have time to stretch behind the growing uterus), it becomes drier, areas of peeling, stretch marks appear, which may be accompanied by itching. Special cosmetics that should be used regularly, as well as comfortable clothing made from natural materials and water massage, will improve the situation.
  • There are discharges from the mammary glands, resembling colostrum. Do not be afraid of them - this is the norm. But it also should not be specially squeezed out, so as not to injure the nipples.
  • There is also discharge from the genital tract. Normally, their volume is small, they are colorless and odorless, transparent. If their character changes to purulent or bloody, the smell becomes unpleasant, there is a burning sensation, itching or pain in the genital area - this is a reason for urgent medical attention. A situation in which the amount of clear watery discharge significantly increases is also dangerous - it may be amniotic fluid leakage - a condition that requires an urgent unscheduled visit to the doctor.
  • The general state of health changes somewhat. From eternally tired and sleepy, a pregnant woman turns into an energetic, active one.
  • Due to the increase in the volume of circulating blood (BCC), the girl's blood pressure rises (by 10-15 mm Hg) and her pulse quickens (the norm is 80-90 beats per minute). Often the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases - anemia develops. These changes are usually accompanied by headache and dizziness.
  • During the first pregnancy at about 20 weeks, the first movements of the fetus will become noticeable. If the pregnancy is repeated, this significant moment will happen a few weeks earlier.
  • Under the influence of progesterone, the tone of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract decreases, in particular, the sphincter located between the esophagus and the stomach. As a result, the acidic contents of the stomach enter the esophagus and heartburn occurs. To reduce the risk of this unpleasant symptom, you should avoid overeating, eat often and in small portions, refuse acidic foods, and do not bend over or be in a horizontal position for an hour after eating. In addition, you can use medicines to eliminate heartburn, they will be prescribed to you by a doctor.
  • Many pregnant women are concerned about short-term pains of a pulling nature in the lower abdomen (usually girls say that they “pull the stomach”), especially against the background of overwork. The uterus grows, and the ligaments that support it stretch, which leads to discomfort. The uterus also compresses the loops of the intestine, its swelling occurs, which is also manifested by pain in the abdomen. Due to the increased load on the spine, the lower back often hurts.
  • If abdominal pain is intense, cramping, accompanied by a feeling of muscle stiffness, repeated 10 times a day or more, these are symptoms of increased uterine tone, which can lead to termination of pregnancy. An urgent consultation with a doctor is required. In most cases, it is possible to defeat hypertonicity by rest and taking antispasmodics, but sometimes more drastic measures are needed. Bloody discharge from the genital tract, which occurred in parallel with pain, is also dangerous - this is also a sign of a threat of interruption and a signal for urgently seeking help from a specialist.
  • Compression of the intestines by the uterus often causes a violation of the stool in a pregnant woman. Sometimes it is manifested by diarrhea, at other times it leads to constipation. If there are no other symptoms of pathology, you should adjust the diet and everything will work out.
  • High BCC leads to stagnation of blood in the veins of the lower extremities - the woman's feet and legs swell, they feel heaviness and pain. To avoid this, you should not overwork, wear comfortable shoes without high heels, and refuse salty foods.
  • With a deficiency in the body of calcium, potassium, magnesium, the girl is disturbed by convulsions and a feeling of numbness of the extremities. A rational balanced diet and the intake of vitamin and mineral complexes recommended by a doctor will help alleviate the condition.

What to look for?

At any stage of pregnancy, a woman needs to protect herself from infections. A slight increase in body temperature is not a sign of pathology, but occurs due to hormonal changes, but if it is accompanied by a cough and other symptoms of SARS, you should consult a doctor. Today, there are many drugs that are approved for use by expectant mothers, but you should not self-medicate - you should be observed by a doctor.

It is important to pay attention to proper nutrition.

  • Eat food often, in small portions - this will reduce the burden on the digestive tract.
  • The diet should be balanced (contain all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and trace elements), products - natural (without harmful dyes, stabilizers, preservatives). Fast food should also not be consumed by pregnant women.
  • Alcoholic beverages (including beer) are contraindicated - alcohol is toxic to the child and adversely affects the health of the pregnant woman. Many people are worried about whether a woman in position can drink kvass. The opinions of experts are ambiguous. The alcohol content in kvass is low, so if the drink is made from natural ingredients according to old recipes, then you can drink it. From kvass, which contains more chemistry than natural components, of course, should be abandoned.

Fetal development

It doesn't stop even for a second. Consider what happens to the baby during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Weeks XIV-XV

  • Fetal length approx. 12-17 cm, weight 50-100 g.
  • Head and limbs are practically formed.
  • A sense of taste develops (it reacts to substances coming from the mother's body into the amniotic fluid).
  • The heart beats at a rate of 160-180 beats per minute.
  • Movements are more and more coordinated.
  • The kidneys are working hard, every hour the baby excretes urine into the amniotic fluid.
  • Gender identity is more and more clearly visible - the ovaries have formed in girls, the prostate gland appears in boys.

Weeks XVI-XVII

  • Body length - 15-18 cm, weight - 150-200 g.
  • The head is still disproportionately large.
  • The vascular network of the skin is developing rapidly - it acquires a pink tint.
  • The heart beats at a frequency of 150 beats per minute.
  • The fetus is constantly moving: opens and closes the mouth, blinks, makes swallowing (swallowing amniotic fluid) and grasping (squeezing and unclenching fingers) movements.

Weeks 18-19

  • Baby's body length is 17-23 cm, weight is 200-350 g.
  • The respiratory system is developing rapidly - bronchi and lungs are being formed.
  • Sense organs are improved: hearing, smell, touch, vision - the fetus hears the mother's heartbeat and the sound of blood flow through her vessels, feels the light.
  • The spleen functions by producing blood cells.
  • In girls, the uterus and fallopian tubes are being formed.
  • Some mothers during this period may feel the first movements of the crumbs.

XX-XXI weeks

  • Body length - 23-26 cm, weight - 400-450 g.
  • The child is in constant motion, his coordination improves. He smiles, moves his limbs, clenches his fists, pushes off the walls of the uterus, grabs the umbilical cord.
  • Hearing develops - the fetus distinguishes intonations well, and experiences positive emotions, calms down from the affectionate words of parents, singing pleasant songs by them. Communicate with the baby more - this helps to improve his hearing.
  • The intestine begins to perform its main function - it forms the original feces - meconium.

XXII-XXIII weeks

  • Body length - 25-30 cm, weight - 450-500 g.
  • The baby's head-to-body ratio is getting more and more proportional. Hairs (lanugo) appear on the head and body.
  • The fetus is more and more active, the mother feels his movements well. It is considered the norm from 10 to 20 perturbations during the day.
  • Bone tissue is being formed - bones intensively accumulate calcium.
  • Endocrine glands develop. The spleen is active.
  • Improved lungs, sweat glands appear.
  • The genitals of both girls and boys are clearly visible on ultrasound.

XIV-XV weeks

  • Body length - 32-35 cm, weight - 600-700 g.
  • The skin is delicate, pink, covered with lanugo and primordial lubricant, which makes it easier for the baby to slide through the birth canal. A pattern is formed on the fingers.
  • Mimicry develops, its connection with emotions is observed: in a state of comfort, the fetus smiles, when exposed to adverse factors, for example, sharp loud music, it frowns and tightens its lips.
  • The fat layer is intensively formed - the torso and limbs of the crumbs are rounded.
  • The cycles of sleep and wakefulness have been established: 16-19 hours a day the child sleeps, the rest of the time he is awake, actively moving.
  • All senses continue to improve.
  • The lungs begin to produce surfactant - a substance that prevents the alveoli from sticking together during breathing. A baby born at this time is able to survive and breathe on its own.

XVI-XVII weeks