There's a little acrobat in there! Muscles are growing stronger rapidly.
What's Happening With Your Baby This Week?
- The eyelids have closed and will stay shut until around weeks 26-28; they protect the eyes.
- Tooth buds have formed inside the jawbones; the foundations of baby teeth are being laid.
- Muscle structure is developing rapidly and involuntary movements are happening; you can't feel them yet, but soon!
- External genital organs are beginning to form, but gender cannot yet be distinguished on ultrasound.
- Organs like the pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen are beginning to become functional.
This Week's Tips for Mom
- Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines, walnuts) can be very valuable for your baby's brain and eye development.
- As your skin starts to stretch, it's a good time to begin moisturizing with almond oil or cocoa butter.
- You might want to have your thyroid hormones checked in blood tests; thyroid changes during pregnancy can be common.
- Daily 30-minute gentle exercise (walking, swimming) can help improve circulation and mood.
- You might experience nasal congestion; pregnancy rhinitis is normal — saline solution is safer than nasal spray.
Tip of the day: When eating fish, it's best to choose small fish with low mercury content (sardines, anchovies, salmon). It's important to limit large fish like swordfish and tuna; their high mercury content can negatively affect baby's brain development.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Length and weight values are averages; every baby grows at their own pace.
