Fetal Development Month 8

You're on the home stretch. This is the eighth month of your baby's fetal development, and it will be time to check baby's movements once in a while as baby's pokes and prods become more uncomfortable due to less amniotic fluid to cushion the little blows. Baby will be about 20 inches and 5 pounds this month.

Week 32: Bye-Bye Lanugo

As baby’s brain continues to control body temperature, baby’s downy hair covering – lanugo – starts to fall off. More and more fat has been accumulating under baby’s skin, which has now turned opaque. As baby’s space in the uterus gets a little more cramped, baby’s movements may feel less forceful. Be sure to check baby’s movements from time to time. You should count at least 10 movements in two hours.

Week 33: Antibodies

This week, your antibodies are being transferred to baby to help protect baby from germs and sickness upon birth. Baby gains about ½ pound a week now, grows about 1 inch, and will probably double baby’s weight by the time baby is born. Baby’s lungs are fully developed and most babies survive and grow to be healthy with a little extra attention if born at this stage. Baby’s amniotic fluid also reaches its highest levels at this time, which is why baby’s pokes and prods become more uncomfortable now with less amniotic fluid to cushion baby’s movements.

Week 34: Got Baby Nail Clippers?

Baby is about 5 full pounds and 20 inches long this week. Baby’s pupils now constrict and dilate as they detect light. Baby’s fingernails will also reach the tip of the fingers by now as the vernix (pasty white substance that covers baby’s skin) gets thicker. The lanugo under this white layer is now almost completely gone. If baby is a boy, the testicles continue on their downward journey, though some 3-4% of boys are born with undescended testicles. If so, they usually make their way to the scrotum by baby’s first birthday.

Week 35: More Fat, More Brain Cells

As baby continues to add more pounds and more fat this week, baby’s brain is also hard at work developing more brain cells. This development noticeably increases baby’s head size, making baby look top heavy. Baby also starts to take a downward facing position in preparation for birth through your pelvis.



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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