This is the last week you are carrying an embryo. Your unborn baby, now called a fetus, is over 4 centimeters long, He has limbs, toes, and fingers. His head has grown very quickly and makes up over half of the size of its body. The nervous system has started to connect with the forebrain.
His heart is divided into four chambers and has developed heart valves. His kidneys have started to function and he can now urinate.
Your baby’s face is becoming distinct. His mouth, nose, and nostrils are distinguishable and the upper lip has also formed. The principal joints, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles are now also distinct, allowing the fetus to move his limbs. Nevertheless, the baby growing in your belly can’t be said to be conscious nor will he open his eyes until around week 27. Pregnancy hormones thin and soften your mucosa (the thin lining between different parts of the body) and as a result, you may suffer from nosebleeds, blood clots, and bleeding gums.
Similar changes occur in the vaginal mucosa. Your sexual appetite can change a lot during pregnancy. You may not in the mood for sex but you should be aware it is harmless to your baby. When it comes to diet, follow your doctor’s advice, food must be healthy, eat frequently but in small portions. Don’t forget to avoid everything and anything which might be harmful to the child. Consult your doctor or midwife before using medications, when you catch a cold or develop a fever.