Table of contents
Baby development
Week 22
From the half of this week, the sixth month of pregnancy has been entered.
The baby continues to develop. However, even in this state, it has reached the image of a newborn baby. Responds to sounds, can distinguish beautiful sounds. It takes the taste of the food that the mother eats through the placenta and reacts to it.
The pancreas begins to produce hormones.
In males, the testicles begin to descend into the scrotum. In girls, the uterus replaces the ovaries.
Facial lines are well formed. Although the eyes are closed, there are eye movements. Teeth are formed. Heartbeats can also be heard easily.
The baby is now 26 cm tall and weighs 450 grams. Although the mother has gained 5-6 kilograms, she is in a relatively comfortable pregnancy period. Consuming plenty of water can also be good for ailments related to the enlargement of the abdomen. The short walks you will start during this period will also be beneficial in terms of having a comfortable delivery.
Week 23
Baby movements have increased in the mother’s womb. It can act as a reaction to almost everything during the waking periods. You can feel the baby movements when you put your hand on the mother’s stomach. Even if there is enough amniotic fluid, movements can be seen from the abdominal skin. For couples, their babies are now within touch. It’s the first time they feel it so close.
The internal organs of the baby are also completing their development. The respiratory system has also started to be prepared in order to ensure that the baby, who meets his oxygen needs through the mother’s channel, can breathe easily when he goes outside.
The most important substance that ensures the readiness of the respiratory system is surfactant. During these weeks, the lungs begin to produce surfactant. Surfactant is necessary to prepare the lungs for respiration in the external environment. It reaches a certain level until birth. In preterm birth, sometimes respiratory distress may occur because it does not reach a sufficient level.
The pancreas begins to produce insulin. The middle ear has completed its development and has begun to conduct sound.
Hand and footprints are formed. With ultrasonography, you can see the baby’s hand and arm movements, facial expressions, and sucking reflex. From the sucking movements of the baby to swallow the amniotic fluid for feeding, it can be seen that the jaw muscles have started to develop well. The baby is preparing to suckle the mother after birth.
The baby is now 28 cm tall and weighs 500 grams.
24. Week
The second trimester of pregnancy is about to end. The excitement of birth has begun for the pregnant woman. A baby with a gender is determined. Preparing for birth.
During this period, it is important for the expectant mother to have regular check-ups. Although the risk of miscarriage is reduced, there is a risk of premature birth. Planning for the birth begins. During this period, there are some cases that should not be delayed during pregnancy controls. First of all, expectant mothers who have high blood pressure before pregnancy or have a family history of pregnancy poisoning should have their controls checked for pregnancy poisoning (preeclampsia).
Pregnancy poisoning cases, which are not followed up regularly, whose controls are disrupted, and whose blood pressure levels are not kept under control, can sometimes result in maternal or infant death. The risk of preterm birth increases. Birth is tough. Especially in the following weeks, depending on the damage caused by the vascular structures to the internal organs, signs and symptoms leading to seizures may be encountered. Cases with seizures are called eclampsia.
As the birth approaches, the body of the expectant mother prepares itself for the baby. The first milk (colostrum) begins to be produced in the breasts.
During these weeks, pregnant women should also be careful in terms of diabetes. Sugar loading test can be done. Even if you do not have diabetes, it is useful to have this test done. Gestational diabetes mellitus (gestational diabetes) affects the baby very negatively. At least the baby is born large, the chance of normal delivery decreases.
During this period, the baby is quite active. It can be said that the baby, who used to react reactively to external stimuli, now gives more conscious responses in these weeks. The baby is starting to learn. Some of what you learn is also stored. Brain functions have started.
During this period, the baby’s skin is quite wrinkled. It can be seen that the skin surface is covered with vernix caseosa, which is produced to protect the baby from the irritating effect of the amniotic fluid. Especially in premature babies, wrinkled skin and cheesy coating can be seen.
The baby is now 32 cm tall and weighs 600 grams. It can open its eyes, hiccup, cough, suck.
Almost all internal organs of the baby are developed. Lungs develop in parallel with other organs. Surfactant production continues. However, it still uses the oxygen it receives from the mother. If he is born when he has to, his chances of survival are low, but he can live in intensive care conditions.
Week 25
The second trimester of pregnancy is ending. This period is one of the most exciting periods of pregnancy for the expectant mother . It is the period when the baby’s movements are felt most clearly.
The baby is preparing himself for the outside world. Skin wrinkles begin to fill in, the skin is flattened. The skin gradually loses its transparent appearance.
The baby is now 32 cm tall and weighs 700 grams.
Eyelids open. Nerve conduction to the brain is regulated.