What is a baby like just before birth?
At the 26th week, the baby is big enough to survive if it is born prematurely. It weighs about 1.5 kg, and from now on it increases in weight ready to be born. Soon the baby turns over into a head-down position ready for the birth, which usually takes place at around the 38th week.
How is a baby born?
The mother starts to feel strong tightening pains, called contractions, in her womb when the birth is near. These contractions become stronger, and the neck of the cervix starts to open. As the contractions continue, the baby’s head moves down. The membrane around it breaks, releasing fluid out through the vagina. After hard pushing, which can last for several hours, the baby emerges through the cervix and the vagina. The baby is still attached to the umbilical cord, which is tied off to prevent bleeding. Soon after, the placenta is pushed from the mother’s womb.
What is a foetus?
After the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the developing baby is called a foetus. By now all of its major organs have formed and it is growing at a very fast rate. By the 16th week the foetus starts to move about, and by the 20th week it may already have eyebrows and fingernails. It weighs approximately 350 g.
Pictures Credit: Google