24th Week of Life until Birth

The division of cells in the cerebral cortex is visible. The fetus is already a good 37 cm long. Regular breathing and body temperature control is now taken over by the brain.

Numerous connections between nerve cells in the brain are formed. The iris of the eye becomes coloured, the pupils react to light differences. The uterus will become so crowded that the fetus will have to assume the typical “fetal position”.

The eyes are open when the fetus is awake and close when it is asleep. The immune system of the fetus is formed.

The body has taken on the typical chubby baby form. The fetus turns toward light sources. It now reaches a total of 47 cm.

The head remains slightly deformable, the cranial sutures are still open. The head can thus adapt to the narrow birth canal. After birth it returns to its round shape. With 70 complex reflexes the baby is ready for birth. It is about 50 cm tall and has over 300 bones from which only 200 will remain into adulthood due to the merging of some bones.

The calculated delivery date is in the 39th week of life. Statistically most babies are born exactly 38 weeks and 2 days after fertilization. Some fetuses remain longer in the womb. Up to 14 days after the due date is still normal. No harm comes to the baby by staying longer in the womb. The gynecologist will meet the pregnant mother regularly to check on the condition of the unborn child. Only when the child is 14 days past the due date, contractions are triggered with the use of prostaglandin suppositories.