Mattie is in her 24th week of pregnancy. What developmental milestones is her unborn baby MOST likely working on at this point?
At 24 weeks of pregnancy, the unborn baby is likely working on several developmental milestones, including:
1. Rapid brain development: The baby's brain is undergoing significant growth and development, with an increasing number of brain cells and complex neural connections being formed.
2. Sensory development: The baby's senses continue to develop and become more refined. They can now hear sounds from the outside world, including the mother's voice, heartbeat, and external noises.
3. Lung development: The baby's lungs are maturing and starting to produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate and prevents them from sticking together.
4. Increased movement: The baby's movements are becoming stronger and more coordinated. They can now respond to stimuli by kicking, turning, and even responding to external touch or sound.
5. Eyelid and eyelash development: The baby's eyelids have formed and may start to open and close. Eyelashes are also beginning to develop.
6. Taste bud formation: Taste buds are forming on the baby's tongue, allowing them to sense different tastes through the amniotic fluid.
It's important to note that these milestones can vary slightly between pregnancies and individuals. Development is a dynamic and continuous process, with overlapping milestones occurring throughout the pregnancy.