Our baby now weighs 6.8 pounds and measures about 21 inches long. This is what many babies weigh when they are born, and our little one is just around the corner from arriving. Baby is gaining about an ounce each day.

Since our baby is using their lungs to practice breathing they may get hiccups occasionally and Mary will be able to notice these little jumps. The head and abdomen are about the same circumference at this point. The abdomen is large because of the liver, which is producing red blood cells.

Tear ducts will not appear until a few weeks after birth. The brain and the lungs are the last of the organs to develop, but both are nearly ready now. The lungs are developing surfactant now, which helps the alveoli expand. Baby can turn their head, react to sounds and lights and blink their eyes.

Vernix, the waxy substance that protects our baby’s skin while in the womb, is mostly gone. There is a small amount left to help the trip through the birth canal go smoothly.

Mary's appetite may decrease now, as she has less room for everything, including her stomach, as the baby has grown larger. She has to remember to rest often because many sleepless nights are ahead!

Plagiarized from amazingpregnancy.com