The fetus is now coated in a waxy, white substance called vernix caseosa. This protective layer shields the skin from the amniotic fluid and will help the baby slide through the birth canal. All five senses are actively developing.
Your Baby This Week
Size: Mango (about 15 cm, or 6 inches)
Weight: About 240 grams
- Vernix caseosa: A creamy, white coating covering the entire body. It protects the skin, helps regulate temperature, and has antimicrobial properties.
- Senses developing:
- Touch: Highly sensitive, especially on the lips and soles of the feet
- Taste: Can distinguish sweet from bitter in the amniotic fluid
- Hearing: Increasingly responsive to sound
- Sight: Light-sensitive cells are forming in the retina
- Smell: Olfactory neurons are developing
- Hair: Scalp hair is starting to grow
- Brain: Specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch are being established
- Movements: Stronger and more frequent. You may feel kicks, rolls, and stretches throughout the day.
Your Body
- Stronger movements. Kicks and rolls are becoming harder to mistake for anything else.
- Hip and pelvic pain as the hormone relaxin loosens ligaments in preparation for birth
- Skin changes: Darkening of moles, freckles, and the linea nigra. Some people develop a "mask of pregnancy" (melasma) on the face.
- Increased vaginal discharge (leukorrhea), which is normal as long as it is clear or white and odorless
- Better sleep for some, as second-trimester energy stabilizes
What to Do This Week
- Wear sunscreen. UV exposure can worsen melasma and other pregnancy-related skin darkening. Use SPF 30 or higher daily.
- Do hip-opening stretches. Prenatal yoga poses like cat-cow, pigeon, and butterfly stretch can help relieve pelvic discomfort.
- Start a kick-counting habit. While formal kick counts are usually recommended from week 28, getting familiar with your baby's movement patterns now is helpful.
Common Questions
What is vernix and will my baby be born with it?
Vernix caseosa is a protective coating that keeps the baby's skin moisturized in the amniotic fluid. Babies born at term may still have patches of vernix, especially in skin folds. Premature babies tend to have more. The WHO recommends leaving vernix on the skin for at least 6 hours after birth, as it has natural moisturizing and immune-boosting properties.
Should I worry about changes in vaginal discharge?
Increased clear or white discharge is normal during pregnancy. Contact your provider if the discharge is green, yellow, has a strong odor, or is accompanied by itching or burning, as these could indicate an infection.