Update on Baby Horak - 24 Weeks Pregnant

Our baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That probably puts her at just over a pound. Since she's nearing a foot long, she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point; but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon!  Her beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed.  What's still missing from the picture is the fat that will be piled on under our baby's skin.  Until those fat deposits are made, that very tender skin is still transparent, which means a close look would let you see clear through to all the organs, bones, and blood vessels. Fortunately, that see-through look won't last much longer. Babies at this stage of fetal development are gaining about six ounces each week — with much of that gain coming from fat, in addition to growing organs, bones, and muscle.  All kinds of sounds can be heard by our baby in my womb: from air exhaling from my lungs, my tummy ‘gurgles’, and her parent’s voices!  :)