Your baby now weighs a little over a pound. Her hearing is well established, and she can make out a distorted version of your voice, the beating of your heart, and your stomach rumblings. Loud noises often heard in utero, such as the barking of a dog next door or the roar of a vacuum cleaner, probably won't faze your child when she hears them outside the womb. Numerous studies seem to indicate that the unborn prefer classical music, especially Vivaldi. Play "The Four Seasons" for your child, and pay attention to her movements. Does she quiet down during adagio sections, and speed up for the allegro portions? You may have a budding conductor in your womb.
In addition to advances in your baby's hearing, blood vessels in the baby's lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. She's swallowing, but usually won't pass stool until after birth.
If your baby were to be born now, she would have a great chance of survival (about 85 percent) with the right care. Advances in science and technology now mean that a 24-week-old baby can grow outside the womb if necessary.
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