Pregnancy And Baby Care Articles Fetal Development

...crown to rump and is 10 ounces in weight. The baby continues to derive its nourishment from the placenta. The baby’s skin begins to thicken with fetal development at week 20. Fine hair called lanugo hair starts growing on the body. This hair is later replaced by vellus. Hair begins to grow on the scalp. The eyebrows and eyelashes also start developing with fetal development at 20 weeks. The baby’s fingernails and toenails continue to grow. The bones become stronger. A protective layer called vernix caseosa covers the baby’s body so as to offer protection to the delicate skin from its constant exposure to amniotic fluid. This is a whitish layer of a fatty substance. At the time of delivery, this smooth layer aids the delivery process.

The brain is developing quickly. The nerve cells that are vital for the proper functioning of the sensory organs begin to develop in the corresponding areas of the brain at 20 weeks of gestation. They also begin to send signals. The little baby starts picking up sounds and gradually begins to recognize her mother’s voice. The mother may find that the baby developing within her womb responds differently to loud or unusual sounds. This is generally felt in the form of movement inside the womb. Studies show that music has a calming effect on the developing baby and continues to have similar effects even after birth. The heartbeat becomes more distinct and can be heard with the help of a stethoscope. The baby begins to swallow significant quantities of amniotic fluid. The water content is absorbed by the body and this strengthens the digestive system. Babies born at this stage have a fifty percent chance of survival for at least a few hours as the vital organs are formed and partially functional.

Week 20 marks the midpoint of a pregnancy. By this point the mother may start to tire easily and may feel a little under the weather due to the various pregnancy symptoms like nausea and vomiting. It is important for the mom-to-be to keep in touch with her loved ones as this will help to prevent anxiety and depression.

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