Abigail's Development

Our baby is now 1 ½ pounds, with a length of about 13 ½ inches. Her wrinkly skin is soon going to be a thing of the past, as she begins to accumulate fat deposits. Before you know it, she will be a plump newborn. If we were able to look inside, we would see that Abigail’s hair has formed in texture and color. She may or may not lose that hair after she is born. Some babies lose their hair and grow new hair, maybe even a different color.

The spine is strengthening this week, as the joints, ligaments, and rings form to protect the spinal cord from any injury. The blood vessels in the lungs develop, in preparation for breathing. Our baby’s eyes can open and close now, and they will react to light. Her mouth is developing in preparation for the sucking reflex, as well as for swallowing. Her nostrils are opening this week, and she may even be able to smell. She is already practicing walking, as her feet pedal up against my uterine wall. With all her twisting and turning, it’s amazing that the umbilical cord remains uncompromised. The umbilical cord is built to sustain life even through all the twists and turns of our baby, as its tough anti-knotting capabilities keep it well intact.