All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. – James 1:17-18
The gift of life is one that we know comes from the Heavenly Father who longs to share His love and eternity with as many souls as possible. It is from His tender love and care that each week of pregnancy we can see the unfolding of a plan far beyond our control or power to prepare a new soul and body for life outside of a mother’s womb. God is so good and His love so tangible if we just open our hearts a little wider.
Nineteenth Week
The baby is now the length of a small banana or an eggplant. By this week the baby weighs about 9.5 ounces. There is a layer of fat developing under skin to protect the baby. Hair can now be seen covering the head. The baby has clearly defined waking time of about 6 hours scattered throughout the day. Much like a newborn, the baby sleeps about 18 hours. The baby’s hearing is increasing and can now recognize sounds outside of womb so music played now will often sooth the newborn if played after birth.
The red blood cells are visible through the transparent skin. The baby’s bronchioles or main airways of the lungs are developing. The best time to see all the baby’s parts is in the coming weeks due to good size now and before space gets tight over the next weeks as the baby grows and prepares for birth.
The protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming and has many functions including the following: lubricant for birth, waterproof skin protectant, prevents infection, regulates body temperature, moisturizes skin, and promotes wound healing.
Twentieth Week
Now the baby is the size of a cantaloupe or a papaya and the length of a humidifier. The baby typically weighs 11.5 ounces now. Baby’s hearing is continuing to develop, and baby might even cover the eyes or “jump” when startled by a loud sound outside the womb. Cartilage is turning into bone and bone marrow is starting to make red blood cells. The baby’s sweat glands begin to form, and the gallbladder is producing bile to help in digestion.
Baby is very active with maturing muscles. If twins, the babies are continually encouraging and stimulating each other to do things already. Babies, at this age, love to put feet and toes in their mouth with their stunning flexibility.
Baby’s reproductive system has significant developments by this week. If baby is a girl, she already has eggs in her ovaries ready to continue the gift of life. If baby is a boy, testes are currently in abdomen and will begin their descent through the coming weeks.
Twenty First Week
Now the size of a large banana or large butternut squash, the baby weighs about 14 ounces. The mom’s placenta is supplying most of the baby’s nutrients, but baby’s digestive system is developing. Pancreas is making enzymes to add in digestion. Small intestine is absorbing nutrients from amniotic fluid.
Kicks might be hard enough so now people other than the mom can feel these power kicks. The baby’s brain is still developing very rapidly. The arms and legs are growing and are now in more normal proportion to rest of body.
Overall growth is slowing down, organs are still developing, and baby development is focused on gaining fat for insulation. Baby’s sealed eyelids are slowly beginning to separate.
Twenty Second Week
The baby is sized to now fit in your hands cupped together. The baby is the length of an ear of corn and weighs just over a pound. Many of the baby’s body parts are fully formed including inner ear, retina in the eyes, but the irises lack color at this time.
Eyelashes and full-length nails are now present. Tear ducts are developing for those hard days ahead when the baby needs to communicate needs after birth. The baby is taking in more calcium to strengthen the bones. Hands now move independently.
By this week, the baby’s heartbeat can be heard through a stethoscope. A doctor can distinguish the baby’s heartbeats from the mom’s since the baby’s heart rate is about 110-160 beats per minute while the mom’s is 60-100 beats per minute
A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above, a handful of happiness a heart full of love. The mystery of life, so sacred and sweet, the giver of joy so deep and complete. Precious and priceless, so loveable too, the world’s sweetest miracle baby is you. (Baby Love Quotes)
References:
Resources include: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy-at-week-1-4, https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/health-baby-second-trimester and https://www.verywellfamily.com
Baby Love Quotes retrieved from https://www.paperheartfamily.com/quotes-about-babies-love/
