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The baby looks more and more like a newborn
Pregnancy

The baby looks more and more like a newborn

2 min readWeek 24
Key takeaways
2 min
  • Recognize that your baby develops newborn-like features around 24-28 weeks due to subcutaneous fat accumulation making their face and body more rounded.
  • Understand that unique fingerprints and footprints form as grooves develop on finger pads and heels during this developmental stage.
  • Know that babies born at 24+ weeks may be viable in hospitals with adequate NICU facilities, though every additional week in the womb improves outcomes.
  • Observe clear ultrasound images showing your baby's head, arms, and legs as they prepare for life outside the womb.

Babies start looking like newborns around 24-28 weeks of pregnancy when subcutaneous fat accumulates, making their face and body rounded with proportional arms and legs. This is when they develop their unique fingerprints and newborn-like features.

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The baby looks more and more like a newborn

Due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fat, the baby's face and body are more rounded and the arms and legs become proportional to the body. They look more and more like a newborn [1].

The baby looks more and more like a newborn - The baby looks more and more like a newbornThe baby can get hiccups and make movements with his arms and legs. During sleep, the eyes move quickly. Grooves develop on the pads of the fingers and heels to form the unique patterns that will become their fingerprints and footprints [2].

Tear glands, or lacrimal tubules, develop to lubricate the eyes. The lungs are almost fully formed, but the baby is not yet ready to breathe outside the mother's womb.

Smell, tactile sensitivity, and taste buds are formed during the first trimester, and by this point the baby can hear their mother's heartbeat, her voice, and loud sounds from the outside [3].

If you are expecting twins

The twins now weigh about 500-560 g each. In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies born before week 28 are considered extremely preterm. In hospitals with adequate facilities (NICUs) though, babies born during or after week 24 may be considered viable (each case is different) and every possible measure, treatment and medical intervention will be made to save them [4], including periods of nursing or feeding the baby with expressed breast milk when they are too premature to suckle. However, every additional week (or even day) in the mother's womb means the babies can be born stronger and healthier.

What can be seen on ultrasound

In the picture, the baby is lying on their side, facing the screen. The head, arms, and legs are clearly visible.

The baby looks more and more like a newborn - The baby looks more and more like a newborn
  1. head

  2. hands

  3. legs

In this photo, the baby is lying on their side in profile toward the screen. The nose and upper and lower jaws are visible. The arm is bent at the elbow, and the hand is resting on the chin.

The baby looks more and more like a newborn - The baby looks more and more like a newborn
  1. hand

  2. head

This photo allows you to view the heads of twins from above. On the surface of the hemispheres, you can see the central and lateral grooves.

The baby looks more and more like a newborn - The baby looks more and more like a newborn
  1. head


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Frequently asked questions

Babies typically start looking like newborns around 24-28 weeks of pregnancy when subcutaneous fat accumulates. This makes their face and body more rounded, and their arms and legs become proportional to their body.

Babies develop fingerprints around 24-28 weeks when grooves form on their finger pads and heels. These unique patterns become their permanent fingerprints and footprints that will remain unchanged throughout their life.

Babies born at 24+ weeks may be viable in hospitals with adequate NICU facilities, though outcomes vary by case. Every additional week in the womb significantly improves the baby's chances of being born stronger and healthier.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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