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At 16 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus’s ears are almost in their final position, and the eyes face forward [1]. Although the eyelids are still fused, the fetus can slowly move its eyes which are now sensitive to light [1,2].

The fetus may start hiccuping. These hiccups help the lungs develop. Besides hiccups, twitchy and uncontrolled movements are a thing of the past. The fetus can now coordinate its limb movements and make facial expressions like squinting or frowning [1,2].

The placenta is almost fully developed, as is the umbilical cord with two arteries and one vein [3]. Toenails start developing [1].

If you are having a girl, her ovaries now contain up to seven million eggs [4]. Between now and birth, her body will reduce the number of eggs by two-thirds [4].

References:
1. Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016.
2. Harms R, Wick M, editors. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. Boston: Da Capo Press; 2011.
3. Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, Johnson E, Poe B, Kruse DH, et al. 28.2 Embryonic Development. Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax; 2013.
4. Conway GS. Premature ovarian failure. Br Med Bull. 2000;56: 643–649.

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At Maila Health, we’re on a mission to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes and experiences through meaningful innovation in digital health. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or raising a baby, we’re here to help ensure you get the support and quality health care you deserve.

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#Pregnancy #PregnancyJourney #Fetus #BabyDevelopment #MailaHealth

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Produced and written by: Samantha Lattof, PhD MSc
Medically reviewed by: Ayodeji Olelakan Abere, MD MBA MHA
Animation by: SciePro / Pond5
Music by: audiomarket / Pond5
Narration by: Ava / Wellsaid

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