Fetal Development During the 2nd Trimester By: Shelby Dixon, Meggie Scott, and Siarah Herrmann
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Week 13
During week 13 of the pregnancy the baby's intestines have returned to his or her abdomen and is also beginning to urinate and discharge. "What is coming out of me?" -
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The Second Trimester
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Week 14
By the fourteenth week, the baby's gender can be determined. For girls, ovarian follicles begin forming. For boys, the prostate appears. "I hope mom is okay with a boy!" -
Week 15
The baby's skeleton is developing bones, which will become visible on ultrasound images in a few weeks. Your baby's scalp hair pattern also is forming. "I hope I have a good hair pattern." -
Week 16
The baby's eyes have begun to face forward and slowly move. The ears are close to reaching their final position. Your baby's movements are becoming coordinated and can be detected during ultrasound exams. "I can finally get mom's attention!" -
Week 17
The baby's toenails have begun to develop. Soon fat stores begin to develop under your baby's skin. The fat will provide energy and help keep your baby warm after birth. "I'm glad I'll have this coat of fat to keep me warm." -
Week 18
The baby's ears begin to stand out on the sides of his or her head. Your baby might begin to hear. "What is that terrible noise?" -
Week 19
A greasy, cheese-like coating called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby. The vernix caseosa helps protect your baby's delicate skin from abrasions, chapping and hardening that can result from exposure to amniotic fluid. For girls, the uterus and vagina might begin to form this week. "Yuck! I feel slimy." -
Week 20
The mother will be able to feel her baby's movements, also known as quickening. If she has been pregnant before, she might have begun feeling the baby's movements a few weeks ago. "Look at me mom! Look at me!" -
Week 21
The baby is ready to gain more weight. By this week your baby is becoming more active and is able to swallow. "I hope I don't get fat." -
Week 22
The baby is completely covered with a fine, down-like hair called lanugo. The lanugo helps hold the vernix caseosa on the skin. Your baby's eyebrows might be visible. "What are these patches of hair above my eyes?" -
Week 23
your baby's skin is wrinkled, more translucent than before and pink to red in color. This week your baby begins to have rapid eye movements. The baby's tongue will soon develop taste buds. Fingerprints and footprints are forming. For boys, the testes are descending from the abdomen. For girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place. With intensive medical care, some babies born this week might be able to survive. "I'm gettin' a little tired of being in here..." -
Week 24
The baby is regularly sleeping and waking. Real hair is growing on his or her head. "Aww, I wanted mom's hair color." -
Week 25
The baby's hands and startle reflex are developing. Your baby might be able to respond to familiar sounds, such as your voice, with movement. "I like mom's soft voice, but she talks alot." -
Week 26
The baby now has fingernails and his or her lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, the substance that allows the air sacs in the lungs to inflate and keeps them from collapsing and sticking together when they deflate. "I am ready to be out of here!"
