Fetal Development Month 7

Believe it or not, you're entering your seventh month and your third trimester of fetal development. Baby's eyes open and blink. Baby's growth shoots up to about 18 inches and 3 pounds. And you will definitely feel baby's movements as less and less space becomes available to the growing little one inside you.

Week 28: Blinking

Now baby’s eyes begin to open and close, and baby’s eye color has been established. Baby begins to blink, and goes through rapid eye movement (REM) while sleeping. At this point, baby sleeps for about 20 to 30 minutes at a time, and you’ll more readily feel baby move when you’re sitting or lying down. Baby’s lungs are now almost mature, so there is a 90% chance of survival if baby is born this week.

Week 29: More Movement

Baby’s growth becomes phenomenal at this stage of development. Baby’s bones are fully developed though still soft and pliable. Baby begins storing iron, calcium, and phosphorus as baby grows to about 17 inches and weighs about 3 pounds. Baby’s movements become more vigorous as space in the uterus becomes less available and mom starts feeling stronger jabs and punches and pokes from hands and feet, or elbows and knees.

Week 30: The Heavy Weight

Baby starts packing on the pounds – about ½ pound per week! Baby’s brain is beginning to look more like a brain, with all the grooves and indentations that allow for expansion of the brain tissue as your baby develops into a child and on to adulthood. The brain also begins to regulate the body’s temperature, and baby may begin to practice breathing in rhythmic repetition by moving baby’s diaphragm.

Week 31: Sleepy Little One

At about 18 inches and more than 3 pounds, baby is getting to sleep for longer periods of time – about 90 to 95% of the day. Baby’s brain is able to process more information, track light, and perceive signals from all baby’s senses. Baby’s reproductive organs continue to develop, as a boy’s testicles will move from the kidneys through the groin and a girl’s clitoris becomes more prominent.



References:

Murkoff, Heidi and Sharon Mazel. What to Expect When You're Expecting. Workman Publishing Company, Inc. 2008

The Mayo Clinic. "Fetal Development." www.mayoclinic.com

The Westside Pregnancy Clinic. "Fetal Development." www.wpclinic.org




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