FACTS: The womb environment, like a bag of water, cushions the baby from bumps, keeps it at a constant warm temperature and allows freedom of movement.

FACTS: All the baby’s organs are perfectly formed miniatures and the features are more discernible. It has eyebrows, a small amount of hair on its head and its heartbeat can be heard by ultrasound.

FACTS: The placenta is now fully-formed and functioning. It can now supply all the oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby via the umbilical cord.

FACTS: Your baby can now co-ordinate its own movements. You may feel fluttering in your abdomen, like bubbles bursting, as your baby moves around.

FACTS: Your baby now weighs more than the placenta and is covered in swirls of soft down-like hair covering the body called lanugo.

FACTS: A skilled ultrasound operator can now determine if your baby is a boy or a girl. Although ultrasound scans have become a routine part of antenatal care, you may choose not to have one if your pregnancy is problem-free.

FACTS: The baby’s dental development continues as the buds for permanent teeth are already forming behind its milk teeth.

FACTS: You are now halfway through your pregnancy. The baby has now reached its correct relative proportions, measuring up to 20 – 25cm in length.

FACTS: Your baby’s muscles are now more developed. You may notice there is more activity when you are resting and less when you are moving around. This is because your movement creates a soothing, rocking sensation coaxing your baby to sleep.

FACTS: At this stage, the baby may be settling into a regular pattern of activity and sleep that may be opposite to yours. This pattern remains for the first few months of life.