Day 6

Life Card-

 Some of the mothers blood work has come back suspicious.. what might be wrong?

       Second trimester prenatal screening may include several blood tests, called multiple markers.  These markers provide information about a woman's risk of having a baby with certain genetic conditions or birth defects. Screening is usually performed by taking a sample of the mother's blood between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy (16th to 18th is ideal). The multiple markers include:

• An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test checks the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of an unborn baby. The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly.
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that involves taking a sample of some of the placental tissue. This tissue contains the same genetic material as the fetus and can be tested for chromosomal abnormalities and some other genetic problems.
• An amniocentesis is a procedure used to obtain a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus to diagnose chromosomal disorders and open neural tube defects (ONTDs) such as spina bifida. There is a small risk of miscarriage associated with amniocentesis which must be balanced with the risk of an abnormality and the patient’s desires.

Fetus weighs around 150 grams and is 14 cm long. The retina has developed sensitivity to light.
18 weeks

Now 15 cm long and weighs 200 grams. Aware of and reactive to noise. Active and rest periods are distinguishable.
19 weeks

17 cm long and weighs 250 grams, scalp has continued to develop and grow hair.
20 weeks

17 cm long and weighs 300 grams, mother can feel first fetal movements. Skin develops thickness and heart can be heard with a stethoscope.
21 weeks

27 cm long 360 grams in weight. Fat is being added to the body, red blood cells are being produced, and small intestine begins to absorb sugars.
22 weeks

Fetus now weighs around 450 grams and is 28 cm long .Fetus develops a regular waking and sleeping rhythm. Taste buds are present on tongue. Weight gains of an average of 70 grams a week.
23 weeks

Now weighs 550 grams. Eyebrows darken, ear bones harden.
24 weeks

Fetus now weighs 600 grams and is about 30 cm long. Eyelids are visible. Able now to survive outside mother’s womb.