Fetal Development Week by Week – Week 19

Right now your baby is about 6 inches long and weighs about 7 ½ ounces.  If you haven’t felt baby move yet, hang in there, because baby is moving all around and soon you’ll recognize and feel those movements.

Your baby’s brain is continuing to develop at an amazing rate.  Millions of motor neurons are forming inside the brain, this allows the baby to make voluntary muscle movements, including thumb sucking and moving away from lights.  The forebrain is dividing into two hemispheres that will become the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain.  The nerve cells that serve the senses are also developing quickly now.

Your baby continues to mimic breathing, with their chest moving up and down taking in amniotic fluid to practice for their birth.  Reproductive organs will continue to grow and develop and can be distinguished on an ultrasound.  Be sure and tell your technician if you do not want to know the sex of your baby so that they won’t spoil your surprise!

Related Weeks
Fetal Development – Week 18 | Fetal Development – Week 20