Now that her ears are formed and in place, there are studies that show she can definitely hear you by now. Many people read to their babies at this stage, or play music for them to hear. Some studies have shown that babies who were read to can recognize their parents voices at birth, so go ahead and chat away with that little one. Now that he weighs about 8 ounces and is about 6 inches long, your baby is growing quickly. To protect him from looking like a little prune from marinating in that amniotic fluid, his body has developed a greasy protective coating, called vernix, which is shed as the baby approaches his due date. His brain is now also developing specialized sections as well, and is beginning to develop the five senses that he will need once he is born.

Remember those growing pains you had as a teenager? You’re probably having a major feeling of déjà vu then, since your body is growing so rapidly you may feel a bit achy, or maybe even a bit of pain here and there. Your ligaments are stretching to accommodate that increased weight in your uterus. The backache you may be experiencing is due to your pelvis loosening up so that you are able to deliver your baby easier when the time comes. You may notice some changes with your skin as well, especially a potential dark line that looks like a zipper, right down your abdomen. This is called the linea nigra, and often disappears soon after delivery. Some women also develop stretch marks on their abdomen and thighs as a result of your rapid weight gain, and there are plenty of skin creams and remedies to help with that, but make sure to check with your physician before you try anything new.