The second quarter
The second quarter
During the entire period of the second quarter the fetus continuous its development. Baby grows up significantly. The pregnancy is visible as the belly is noticeable big. The baby does more simultaneously motions more than 600 per day, and becomes more lively and active during the 6th month.
By the end of the second quarter the baby is viable. If he/she is born at this time he/she can do first cry and breath. Yet baby is very weak and barely can survive.
The fourth month
The 4th month is the most quiet and smooth one for baby. At the beginning of the week 15th the abdominal cavity is well developed and contains all interior organs. That is why the belly seems bigger then the head. During four weeks the body covers with soft fuzz. They appear on the head, the elbows and eyelashes become noticeable.
Now the baby is more active than at the end week 16, baby do about 150 motions with the legs and hands per day. Baby often moves when awake. That lasts for about 20 minutes.
Then it is followed by 40 minute sleep. These terms are not common for every baby.
Circulatory system continues development; small veins are everywhere and that gives bright-red color to the skin. The heart beats very fast and rhythmically, about 160 times per minute.
During the week 16-17 the kidney starts its work. It is proved by meconium (he dark green mucoid material that forms the first period of a newborn infant) in the intestines. Meconium is green liquid which mainly contain bile produced by the liver.
The fifth month
During the 5th month very significant events and changes are happening that the mother can feel. Of course, there have been some motions before, but now baby is quite strong provided by developed muscles. That process continuous and the baby do first hits by legs and hands. The statistics says that baby movements are reflective and the reason is muscle clonus (contraction). All mothers should know that the baby shakes if she listen music of relax. So the baby can catch the mother’s mood. When the mother is worried or is upset the baby actively hits with hands and legs.
The doctors approved that the mother feels the first motions in the week of 18th.
During the second pregnancy the mother feels it at 16-17th weeks period. This is faster development of the fetus, the womb is accustomed of the conception and the walls are more sensitive. The first motions are very weak. But that process gradually speeds. Baby often twists as there is still enough space in the womb. Since the week 18th the baby catches the sounds, that is why reacts the mother’s voice especially when she caressing her belly, or moves when listen the father’s voice.
Many of the future mothers notice that when they walk fast or do sharp motions the baby stops to move. There is no need of worry for that. If the baby feels that the environment is not comfortable, accordingly pulls the hands and legs back. Baby will stay like that unless the mother relaxes. And another fact is that the baby should sleep every single hour, so you feel no movement at this time.
There is a public opinion that as often the baby moves in the womb as tempered baby will be during the childhood. But this concept is not approved by the specialists therefore there is no need of worry.
Starting from the week 20th doctors can locate the position of the baby simply touching the belly. This is necessary in order to learn the baby’s movement frequency and what kind of problems may arouse during the birth. (breech presentation, diametrical presentation and so on).
Starting 18-19th week of the pregnancy doctors will check up the heartbeat every 2-3 week. Now this can be performed just with a conventional periscope, which can catch the contraction of the heart muscles.
At the end of the 22nd week the baby has weight of 450-500 mg and 25 cm height. Ultrasound examination shows that the baby already has nails and hairs on the head. Lung muscles are develop enough to provide adequate breath in the womb. Baby of course does not breathe but ready for that.
During the 20-22nd week the baby can swallow pretty well, sometimes baby sucks his/her own fingers, especially while sleeping.
The sixth month
During the week 23-27th the fetus continues intensively develop. The face becomes more and more human like. The nose and the eyes increase, the outline of eyebrow become more obvious, the ear grow. The hairs become black and noticeable.
The baby can sip more. At that time baby doesn’t move. Baby may shake slightly with hands and legs when taking a nap. Deep sleep can last 16 hours with some interruptions per day. It usually starts at the midnight. That is why the baby shakes less during the night and in the morning hours.
During the 6 month the baby make more motions. Even some mothers think that there something is missing when the baby stops moving.
So there no need for worry if the baby doesn’t move for one or two hours. He/she might be sleeping. If no signs of movement last 20-30 hours we recommend to talk with the doctor. That means that the life of the baby is endangered so a rapid medical care is emergency case.
In the 22-25th weeks the baby starts to react more intensively to the mother’s mood. That can be monitored only by ultrasound examination. Baby smiles the mother smiles. And the otherwise, if she is upset then baby knit its eyebrows. Just recently the doctors discovered that baby can mimic after the mother. For instance if someone switches on the light in the room the pregnant screws her eyes and baby do the same. If the mother eats lemon, which is very sour, grimace appears on baby’s face.
At the end of the 6th month grows up to 30 cm and 1 kg twice more then a month ago. So, if baby born at this moment, he/she can cry and breath but still cannot survive.
