Tuesday, November 27, 2007

17 Weeks......


The baby's weight has doubled in two weeks and now weighs about 3.5 ounces! The crown-to-rump length of the growing baby is 4.4 to 4.8 inches.
The uterus is moving up and is now approximately 1.5 to 2 inches below the navel.

Huge changes continue to take place within the developing baby. This week fat begins to form and will continue to do so until he is born. Fat is important to the body's heat production and metabolism. Right now, at 17 weeks, water makes up about 3 ounces and fat 0.018 ounces of the baby's body. In a baby at term, fat makes up about 5.25 pounds of the total average weight of 7.7 pounds. The placenta is continuing to grow at an amazing rate. The placenta will continue to develop in tandem with the fetus and it will weigh more than a pound at birth! By this week, the placenta is large and well established with a network of blood vessels that exchange nutrients and waste.

The eyes are facing more forward. The ears are now close to their final position.

The baby is more flexible with ability to move head, mouth, lips, arms, wrists, hands, legs, feet, and toes.

Fingerprints are forming now.