24 weeks –
Seen here at six months, the unborn child is covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. Its tender skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix. Some of this substance may still be on the child’s skin at birth at which time it will be quickly absorbed. The child practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into developing lungs.
30 weeks –
For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby’s lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother’s blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the fetus. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well.
32 weeks –
The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming.
40 weeks –
The baby, now approximately seven and a half pounds, is ready for life outside its mother’s womb. At birth the placenta will detach from the side of the uterus and the umbilical cord will cease working as the child takes his first breaths of air. The child’s breathing will trigger changes in the structure of the heart and bypass arteries which will force all blood to now travel through the lungs.
Sources
Nine Month Miracle (CD ROM software) , A.D.A.M. Software, Inc., 1600 RiverEdge Parkway, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA, 30328.
The First Nine Months of Life, (brochure) Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO, 1995.
Introduction to Child Development , 6th ed., (text book) John Dworetzky, West Publishing Company, San Francisco, CA, 1996.
Psychology Today, (magazine) Fetal Psychology, Janet L. Hopson, October 1998.
When You were Formed in Secret, (handbook) Gary Bergel, Intercessors for America, 1988.
See all Pages Of The Growth Cycle
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFE BEFORE BIRTH
Recommended Books, Videos and Software
A Child Is Born by Lennart Nilsson (also in paperback). The pictures are truly amazing (if you are pregnant or even thinking about getting pregnant, you must see this book!). Order from Amazon.com.
Nova: The Miracle of Life includes a detailed account of how a baby is formed, from conception to birth, complete with prenatal footage. Order from Amazon.com.
Nine Months – Miracle of Birth, Parents and Children, Caring for Pregnant, Music for Leisure, All right, Take Care of Yourself, Time Expectations
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