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Baby's Development: Week 13: Fingerprints Forming

Baby's Development

Your fetus is now about 5-6 cm (2.0-2.4 inches) long (crown to rump) and weighs approximately 14 grams (0.5 ounces). The head and backbone are now connected, giving the fetus a more proportionate appearance. The kidneys are functioning, producing urine to carry away waste products. The liver is secreting bile, playing its role in digestion, and the pancreas is producing insulin, regulating blood sugar levels. The intestines, which were temporarily located outside the abdomen in the umbilical cord, have now moved back into the abdominal cavity, as there is now enough room. Muscles are forming in the gut, further developing the digestive system. The neck is becoming more defined, and the arms and legs are growing longer, with fingers becoming more tapered. The skin is delicate and pinkish. The baby is making hormones, including insulin. The liver is producing bile.