Catching up!!!

Week Twenty-Three

* Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.
* Bones located in the middle ear harden.
* Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?) * The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
* The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
* If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. * The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.

Week Twenty-Four

* Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
* His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
* Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.
* Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.
* Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
* His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
* This week your baby is officially considered viable.

Week Twenty-Five

* The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.
* Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
* Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!
* The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!
* His swallowing reflexes are developing.
* Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.