Your Pregnancy Week By Week

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week – Pregnancy Week 17

By now, your little baby is almost 5 inches long. Slowly, their body is catching up to their head size and your fetus no longer looks so top heavy! The eyes are in their final position and your baby is almost finished developing BOTH sets of their teeth buds. During this 17^th week of pregnancy, the baby also begins to develop a protective skin sealant known as Vernix and brown fat stores begin to build up.

You may begin to feel a small tightening of the uterus during this month, known as Braxton-Hicks Contractions. These contractions are harmless and are your body's way of preparing you for the “BIG DAY”. But monitor them closely. If you experience more than 3-4 an hour, or if they are painful, you should notify your OBGYN to rule out preterm labor.

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week – Week 18

Your baby's hearing is becoming better and better with each passing week. During the 18^th week of pregnancy, your baby can distinguish between your heartbeat and your voice. He/She will even respond negatively to a loud noise they don't like. In addition, her eyes are becoming sensitive to light and your baby can make facial expressions like squinting and frowning. If you were to have a prenatal ultrasound during this week, you may even be able to see your baby hiccup!

During these next few weeks, your OBGYN doctor will order your large prenatal ultrasound to check the baby's growth and development. If anything abnormal shows up on ultrasound, she may order more testing to rule out any complications.

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week – Pregnancy Week 19

During the next few weeks of pregnancy, your baby will be developing his brain at rapid rate. Millions of motor neurons are forming and nerve cells are developing to serve the senses. In addition, your baby will continue to mimic the act of breathing by taking in amniotic fluid and swallowing.

Yet another fun Pregnancy Symptom:
While your baby is growing at an amazing rate, you may notice an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest and throat. As your uterus continues to expand, many pregnant women develop acid reflux. If the symptoms are extremely uncomfortable, talk with your OBGYN doctor before taking any over the counter medications. He may be able to suggest something to help ease your discomfort.

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week – Pregnancy Week 20

This week you are officially halfway through your pregnancy! At almost 6 inches long and 10 ounces, his movements may be easier to feel as he jumps and kicks around inside. If you are having a little boy, his testes will begin to drop into his scrotum during the next several weeks! Hair will begin to grow on your baby's scalp and your baby's legs are almost finished growing to their final length.

As you enter your 20^th week of pregnancy, monitor your feet closely for any signs of edema or swelling. While some swelling is considered normal for pregnant women, excessive or pitting edema can be a sign of a dangerous pregnancy complication and condition known as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Notify your OBGYN or doctor if you are concerned about any swelling you may have.

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week – Week 21

Your baby now has thin eyebrows and the hair on his head continues to grow and develop. During the 21^st week of pregnancy, your baby's bone marrow will begin to make red blood cells for your baby. Until now, that was mainly done by your baby's liver and spleen. Movements are getting more frequent and easier to feel. If you haven't already had a prenatal ultrasound, now is the time---but be sure to tell the technician if you don't want to know the baby's sex!

Shopping for maternity clothes now is a must for most women. Have fun with it and take along a friend to help you shop. Remember that your belly will continue to grow over the next 20 weeks, so make sure you get a size that will accommodate your growing belly!