Your Baby's Development
Ears move to their final position and they stand out from the head.
And start brushing up on your lullabies - in the coming weeks, your
baby will probably be able to
hear
! The bones of the middle ear and the nerve endings from the brain
are developing so that your baby will hear sounds such as your
heartbeat and blood moving through the umbilical cord. He or she
may even be startled by loud noises! Your baby's eyes are also
developing - they're now facing forward rather than to the
sides, and the retinas may be able to detect the beam of a
flashlight if you hold it to your abdomen.
Until now, your baby's
bones
had been developing but were still soft. This week, they begin to
harden, or ossify. Some of the first bones to ossify are those in
the clavicles and the legs.
Your Body
You're probably beginning to prepare for
life with baby
. Your preparations should extend beyond gathering the layette and
decorating the nursery, though. This is a good week to begin your
search for a
pediatrician
or other health care provider for your child. Schedule visits to
meet with potential doctors to discuss issues such as appointment
availability,
immunization
scheduling, and when to call in an emergency. You'll also want
to learn as much as you can about their practices and
procedures.
Some good questions to ask: How many health care providers are
in the practice? Who covers nights and weekends? What is their
policy on phone calls? Which hospitals are they affiliated with?
What insurance do they accept? What specialists do they work with?
How are emergencies handled?
It's important that you feel comfortable with your
child's doctor, so do your homework and make your decision
carefully.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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