Rapid overall growth of the baby continues this week. Seems like I say that every week, but its true!!! His brain is developing rapidly this week and his lungs and taste buds are following suit. The main lung tissue is beginning to develop branches with special cells that produce surfactant, which is a substance needed to inflate the air sacs in his lungs. The reason preemies have difficulty breathing at birth is the dramatically reduced number of these lipoproteins produced by the new type II alveolar cells. He is also seeing a lot of vascular development as extra blood vessels are showing up bringing fresh blood and oxygen into those developing lungs in increasing quantities. The sheer growth in overall mass is a product of increased dense muscle tissue and the little guy packing on the brown baby fat that will help him try and regulate his body temperature at birth. He also adds some bone mass and additional organ tissue development. White blood cell development hits a new level now. These cells will help the baby fight disease and infection throughout his life.
Antoinette is seeing that belly continue to grow. The little guy is a kicking machine and his kicks are more and more pronounced. On some days, we can feel his head (or what we thing is his head) pressing against the outer wall of her belly. Some of the major pregnancy symptoms will soon begin for Antoinette. Which week this occurs, we don't really know. She's experienced minor cramping, a little discomfort sleeping, etc. Ultimately, nothing too crazy yet.
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