So, here's a catchup of Boo's developments for the last couple of weeks - as I type this Boo is 19 weeks!
17 weeks:
Boo is now nearly 13 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs approximately 140 grams. His/her skeleton is mostly rubbery cartilage, which will harden later. A protective substance called myelin slowly begins to wrap around the spinal cord. He or she has a much more normal "human" appearance now and holds his/her head more erect and the body and limbs are longer in proportion to the head.
18 weeks
Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) has formed on Boo's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs) - both serve to protect your his/her skin during the months in water. Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs. Vocal chords are formed and Boo goes through the motions of crying but without air there is no sound. Features of your Boo's heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound. Boo is now measuring about 14.2cm from head to rump this week and weighs about 190gm.
19 weeks
Boo has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He/she has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
Throughout Boo's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly. Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow. The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth. If Boo is female the uterus starts to develop. If Boo is a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.
He/she is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine. Size is around 15.3cm from head to rump (mum - thats more than half a ruler) and weights 240gm.
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