Baby's growing by leaps and bounds (and inches and ounces), this week reaching nine inches in length and more than one and half pounds in weight. And there are exciting developments on the horizon, too. Capillaries are forming under the skin and filling with blood. By weeks end, air sacs lined with capillaries will also develop in your baby's lungs, and getting them ready for their first breath of fresh air. Mind you, those lungs aren't ready for prime time breathing yet - and have a lot of maturing left to do before they will be. Though they're already developing surfactant, a substance that will help them expand after birth, your baby's lungs are still underdeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide from the blood (aka breathe). And talking about breathing, your baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open up this week. This enables your baby to begin taking practice "breaths". Your baby's vocals cords are functioning now, leading to occasional hiccups (which you'll certainly be feeling).
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