The special phase of the fourth month in pregnancy

With the beginning of the fourth month, a completely new world opens up for many parents-to-be, in which the uncertainties of the first few weeks are gradually giving way and the feeling is growing that the great project of life together is really beginning. The initial fear of an early loss of the child decreases, and the physical discomfort the pregnant woman in the first few monthshave accompanied, usually decrease significantly. This moment of transition is characterized by a special atmosphere in which expectations and joy in the coming life are increased, while the common hope of a healthy child grows.

The rapid development of the baby

During this period, a rapid development of the baby takes place, which gradually forms from a tiny fruit ball into a small, living being. It grows in length, grows and takes the shape of an elongated body that soon shows clear contours. The baby is already designed like a real little child, only in miniature form, witha tender nudge, developed lips and eyes that can open and close. Mobility increases, and the baby is already rehearsing his facial expressions by frowning, raising his eyebrows, or showing other subtle facial expressions, which are the first signs of his conscious perception.

swallowing, filtering and excretion

As the baby grows in the mother’s belly, it also practices basic functions that shape his later life. It swallows amniotic fluid that gets into the stomach through the umbilical cord and filters it out again over the kidneys that have not yet been fully developed. The residues of the amniotic fluid in the intestine are processed and form the first pile of faeces, the so-called meconium.This dark, tarry-looking material, which appears in dark green tones to black, remains in the intestine and is only excreted after birth. For parents who are diaper-free, this early first chair can be an important experience as they learn to observe their child’s signals, the first signs of hunger, malaise or theto recognize the need for contact.

The movements in the room

Although the baby still has a lot of space in the uterus, its movement is often still difficult to feel. It kicks, yawns, leads the hands to the mouth and sucks on the thumb, but the mother usually hardly feels these movements. The baby goes through active phases and rest periods in which he trains his touch senses by playing with the umbilical cord or testing his movements in the room. Especially atTwins growing in the same amniotic fluid can be observed as siblings are already in contact with each other, touching each other carefully and thus developing one of the earliest forms of interaction. These delicate touches are a significant step in the development of social behavior.

The skin and the protective hair

The baby’s body is completely covered with a fine, barely visible down of hair, the so-called lanugo hair, during the fourth month. Each of these hairs is accompanied by a sebaceous gland that produces a protective, greasy substance, the so-called cheese smear. This layer protects the baby’s delicate skin from the amniotic fluid and prevents the skin from swelling ordries out. Although lanugo hair and cheese smear are usually broken down by birth, some babies are born with visible fluff, which is out in the first few weeks after birth and facilitates the transition to mature skin. These fine hairs are a natural protective mechanism that protects the baby from contact with the fluid in the womb and the development of the skinsupported.

The development of the sexual organs

At this point, the baby’s genital organs are already so wide that they are able to be made visible at the second ultrasound. Parents who want to know whether they are expecting a boy or a girl now have the opportunity to receive this information. It is a decision that the parents should make together, although some preferRely on the surprise at birth, while others want to form a picture of their child early on. The sex characteristics are now clearly recognizable, which increases the anticipation of the moment of birth.

bone development and flexibility

As the baby grows, his skeleton also changes. The cartilaginous structures, which initially form the basic form, develop into solid bones, which are becoming increasingly stronger and more resistant. Despite this ossification, the bones remain flexible in order to protect the baby later on through the narrow birth canal. This flexibility is a natural oneMechanism that gradually subsides during pregnancy to make the child more stable and resilient after birth. The development of the bones is further evidence of the complex, finely tuned processes that shape the baby’s body and prepare for life outside the womb.