Monday, May 23, 2005

21 Weeks Today!

Weighing in at 13 to 14 ounces, and measuring 17.5 centimeters crown-to-rump, your baby is now busy putting fat onto those bones. Most likely, you have felt your baby's in-utero gymnastics. With lots of amniotic fluid providing room to move, your baby will be very active. Babies have sleep and wake cycles and you may find that these get more predictable as the months progress. Babies are typically active in the late evening, just when Mom is trying to get to sleep.

Your baby’s digestive system is developing and by now can absorb some nutrients such as sugars, which are found in the amniotic fluid inside the womb. However, your baby continues to get almost all food from mom, through the placenta.

The vernix (soft downy hairs) completely cover the body now. This will protect it during the last 3 months in the amniotic fluid (the urine content of which will increase).

The vernix will dissolve itself before birth, but enough will remain to assist in the lubrication needed to facilitate childbirth.

Towards the end of this trimester the baby will begin to settle, usually in a head down position (Although some babies do not turn head down until late in the last trimester.). About 3-4% of babies will remain in a breech position.

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