Welcome back to our monthly dose of education. We will have made it to week 20 on Friday, past the halfway point, and by now you probably all know that we are going to have a girl.
Size-wise we really haven’t grown much since the last time we spoke. She may have grown an inch longer (6 inches now) and maybe gained an ounce or two (7 to 10 oz. now) in the last month. The remarkable thing here is that in the second half of the pregnancy her weight will increase as much as 2000%, her length more than 200%.
By this time in TNH’s development she has been moving for a few weeks, but now her movements are more coordinated because her nervous system is more sophisticated. Add to that the fact that her bones are harder and muscles and limbs are stronger, Momma is feeling those movements regularly and has no doubt what they are.
Almost all of the follicles from which her hair will grow are in place now and some of her hair might already be growing. One look at her parents’ baby pictures will tell you that that hair may not amount to much for a loooooooong time. Her fingernails and toenails are now formed and starting their journey to the tips of her fingers (and then to the manicurist!)
The number of nerve cells in the brain is increasingly rapidly, particularly in the thinking centers. Her senses continue to awaken. She can likely feel Momma massaging her abdomen. In addition to being able to hear Momma’s heartbeat and blood flow, she may also be able to discern Momma’s voice and loud noises or music may elicit movement as a fear response, but most external noise remains unheard for another month or so.
She now sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. The sucking reflex, which is necessary for nursing, is much much stronger now and she may suck her thumb if her hand floats up near her mouth.
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