The baby’s eyes have opened!

Your Baby

Until now having been sealed, your baby can now open and close its eyes!  The retinas begin to develop as well. If a light is shined on your abdomen at this point, your baby will turn its head in response.  Medical researchers suggest this to be proof that the optic nerve is functioning from this week on.

The air sacs and lungs form even further and the spine strengthens in preparation to support the baby’s growth.  This week the spine is approximately the length of your hand.

The baby will grow to about 14 inches in length this week.

Changes in your Body

You should be feeling your baby move regularly, a reassuring feeling.  The  average weight gain is 1 pound per week in the months to  come.  Some women experience pain in the ribs due to the baby’s increasing size and subsequent pressure on the rib bones.  This same pressure may be contributing to digestion problems such as heartburn.

You may be experiencing “Braxton Hicks,” which are contractions of the uterus muscles that are usually painless and occur at irregular intervals.  These contractions help to prepare your muscles for labor.  For more information on the difference between Braxton Hicks and labor contractions, visit When am I actually in labor?

Further reading

< Pregnancy week 25             Pregnancy week 27 >

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