By week 22, your baby weighs a full pound
and will double in size in the next 4 weeks.
Her lungs are developing rapidly and they
will begin making a protein called surfactant
which allows them to inflate without collapsing
and deflate without sticking together.
Vocal chords are fully developed at this point
and your baby can really hiccup now.
Your baby isn't bald anymore.
There is some hair on her head which is most
likely white because the pigment that gives
it color hasn't been made yet.
Her brain and hearing are move developed this
week and she's beginning to recognize your
voice.
She can also hear what is going on inside
your body including your heart beating and
your stomach gurgling until now your baby's
nostrils have been plugged to keep the amniotic
fluid out of her nose.
Her nostrils are opening now for practice
breathing.
She will go through the same motions of real
breathing but inhale amniotic fluid instead
of air.
This process helps the development of her
lungs and the muscles she needs to breath.
Your baby is also busy practicing sucking
her thumb.
She is developing a firm grasp and may reach
out and grab the umbilical cord.
She can stick out her tongue and may even
lick the umbilical cord while she has it in
her hand.
