The child’s ears can now perceive sounds from outside of the womb, and loud noises may even startle her. And though the mother can’t hear her, the child’s vocal cords are now active. If you were to peek into the womb through ultrasound, you’d be able to see her squinting, smiling, and frowning.
Essential Facts
• Eyes are fully functional.
• Eyebrows and eyelashes are almost fully formed.
• Rapid brain growth continues.
• Lungs are developing rapidly.
• Rapid eye movement, which is associated with dreaming, can be measured.
For Further Discussion
The child has now reached a point where she could survive outside of the womb if given intensive care. The youngest children known to survive preterm birth were not even 22 weeks old; they were born barely halfway through pregnancy!