Buzz
In reality, there are numerous fascinating aspects about the fetus inside the mother's womb that not every doctor shares with expecting mothers. Throughout each stage, the fetus undergoes development in visual, auditory, olfactory senses, and more. Every week, the baby experiences new changes to become more refined.
Unveiling the Most Extraordinary Facts about the Unborn Child That Not Every Mom-to-be Knows:
The Tailbone is the First to Make an Entrance
Have you ever wondered which part of the fetus develops first – the brain, the heart, or the reproductive organs...? None of them are correct, as the answer is the tailbone.In the initial stage, the embryo forms a pouch, allowing the cells inside to move, creating a structure called gastrula. Subsequently, at the edge of this pouch, cells gradually form the anus, followed by the mouth on the opposite edge.
The Marvelous Development of Eyes and Ears
By the 8th week of pregnancy, the baby's eyes and ears have started to form and develop. Even though the fetus is only about 2cm long at this point, the baby's face is rapidly undergoing development.
The reproductive organs of the fetus begin to take shape in the 9th week and will differentiate into male or female genitalia by the 12th week of pregnancy. This is an incredibly interesting fact that not every expecting mother knows, and doctors rarely disclose.
When Does the Baby's Body Fully Form?
At the 12th week of pregnancy, even though the baby is only about 5cm long from head to buttocks, the body is fully formed, including fingers, toes with complete fingernails. The ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and internal organs are also fully developed.
Unborn Babies Can Feel Pain Too
At the 12th week of age, the fetus can feel pain everywhere, much like a newborn baby. The baby may experience pain from the nervous system to the spinal cord or the brainstem. At this point, the fetus has started developing parts like the umbilical cord and facial features. The baby can even suck on its fingers.
The Baby's Body is Half its Birth Length
This intriguing fact occurs in the 20th week of pregnancy. At this point, the length from the baby's head to buttocks is about 18cm. The fetus also begins to have strong movements in the mother's abdomen, which can be easily felt externally. Moreover, during this week of pregnancy, through ultrasound images, the mother can easily see the baby's eyebrows and fingernails.
When Can Baby Hear Sounds from the Outside World
According to experts, around the 20th-24th week of pregnancy, the baby starts to hear sounds from outside the womb and may even respond to them. At this point, the baby's face and internal organs are already well-developed. However, the skin layers are still thin, slightly wrinkled, and protected by a layer of fine hair.
How Does the Fetus Breathe?
Inside the mother's womb, does the fetus breathe? This is a question many expectant mothers have. The answer is: In the mother's womb, the fetus still breathes, although not by inhaling oxygen through the lungs as after birth. Around the 27th week of pregnancy, the lungs will be filled with fluid, and during childbirth, the process of exiting the mother's body will push out the fluid, allowing the baby to start its first breaths.
Intestines Outside the Skin
Few mothers are aware that a baby's intestines actually develop outside their body. In the 6th week of pregnancy, the baby's intestinal tube starts to form within the umbilical cord and connects directly to the umbilical cord. The baby's digestive system at that time is quite simple, consisting of three parts: foregut, midgut, and hindgut.The midgut portion will develop the most, splitting into two tubes, and both tubes will start growing outward from the body into the umbilical cord. Gradually, the intestinal tubes begin to twist and eventually return to the baby's abdomen when the connection to the umbilical cord disappears completely.
Sense of Smell
By the 28th week of pregnancy, the baby's sense of smell will be fully developed, and from this week onward, when the mother smells anything, the baby can also perceive that scent.Do Fetal Eyes Open?
Around the 32nd week of pregnancy, the baby's eyes will open when awake. At this point, the baby's head tends to turn downward towards the vaginal opening in preparation for birth. Mothers will also easily feel strong movements from the baby's legs and arms. In the 32nd week of pregnancy, the baby is approximately 35-38cm from head to buttocks and 44-55cm from head to feet.
Fetuses Dream Better Than Adults!
From the 17th week of pregnancy, dreams start to appear in the fetal mind. According to research by experts, babies dream more while in the womb than after birth, especially more than adults. One explanation is that the baby, being inside the mother's womb and not seeing the outside world, dreams more about future life. Although there is no conclusive evidence, it is clear that fetuses often have dreams, especially in the final months of pregnancy.
Does the Baby Arrive on the Expected Due Date?
Statistics show that only about 5% of newborns are born on their expected due date. The rest will be born within about 2 weeks before or after the due date. Usually, 40 weeks of pregnancy are considered full-term. The average weight of newborns is around 2.5-3.5kg.
Source: Vietnamese Family
