By this week, some fine hairs have developed on your baby's face. This soft colorless hair is called lanugo, and it will eventually cover most of your baby's body until it's shed just before delivery.
Your baby's genitals have fully developed, though they may still be hard to see on an ultrasound. Your baby also starts to make thyroid hormones because the thyroid gland has matured.
Your baby now weighs about 1.6 ounces (45 grams) and is about 3.5 inches (9 cm) long from crown to rump.
Your health care provider may discuss amniocentesis with you if you're older than 35 or if your screening tests indicated a possible problem with the fetus. Amniocentesis is a test usually done between 15 and 18 weeks that can detect abnormalities in a fetus, such as Down syndrome.
During this test, a very thin needle is inserted into the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby to take a sample of the fluid for analysis. Amniocentesis does carry a very slight risk of miscarriage, so talk to your health care provider about the risks and advantages of the test.
While we are ranked among the best children's hospitals in the country, it's our compassionate approach to treatment that makes us truly exceptional. Through a combination of revolutionary treatments and extraordinary patient experiences, our care does more than heal. It brings the entire family together for emotional support and understanding across multiple locations to reach you in the community where you live. Learn more...
