Life
5 Gross Things That Babies Do Inside The Womb
When I was pregnant, I looked forward to my ultrasound appointments more than any other doctor's visit, because it gave me the opportunity to see what my little munchkins were up to inside the womb. Although my own kids were pretty chill and mostly just floated around, some parents have been lucky enough to catch their babies sucking their thumbs, clapping their hands, or even giving hand gestures such as a peace sign or a thumbs up. With all the cool things we catch on ultrasounds, did you know that there are also gross things that babies do inside the womb?
According to Parents, fetuses spend most of their time sleeping. At 32 weeks, your baby tends to sleeps 90 to 95 percent of the day. As you get closer to your due date, your baby reduces his sleep pattern to about 85 to 90 percent of the day, which is about the same as a newborn baby. But don't let those numbers fool you. Your little one is doing some gross stuff when he's not napping the day away.
Here are some gross things your little one might be doing inside of you right at this very moment.
1They Pee
Unborn babies begin passing urine at about 10 weeks of development, according to Begin Before Birth. Swallowing the amniotic fluid is what makes babies pee in the womb.
2They Swallow Their Pee
Since babies pee in the womb and drink their amniotic fluid, this means they also swallow their urine. Although it may sound gross, urine is sterile, so your baby is not in any harm by drinking his own pee.
3They Eat Their Hair
According to Best Ever Baby, fetuses swallow intestinal cells, mucus, bile and lanugo (a fine hair that covers the baby's body) while in the womb, which will accumulate in the baby's lower intestine. This turns into meconium, your baby's first poop.
4They Poop
Meconium should pass within the first day or two after birth, however, if a baby is overdue or has experienced a stress before birth, he may pass his first poop prior to delivery. This can put the baby at risk of breathing the meconium into the lungs and developing meconium aspiration syndrome according to the University of California San Francisco.
5They Get Erections
According to Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, male fetuses can have an erection around 16 weeks gestation. Yes, there are actually scientists researching penile erections and fetal penile length.
