I will be 22 weeks on Friday when is a good time to set up a 3D/4D ultrasound to get the best look at my baby’s features?!
WeMoms
2 Apr 2024
Your Baby Has Facial Features!
Your Baby Has Facial Features!
At this stage, ultrasound scans often reveal that your baby is developing facial features.
How awe-inspiring is it to know that those little cheekbones, nostrils, and even eyelids are forming?
This is a momentous period of growth where the foundational structures of the face establish themselves. But what exactly is happening?
- First Trimester: The basic facial structure starts to form, including the formation of the pharyngeal arches which will later become the jaw, cheeks, and neck.
- Second Trimester: Your baby's face becomes more defined. Tiny bones in the face begin to harden.
- Third Trimester: Further refinement takes place, including the depositing of fat under the skin which gives your baby that adorable chubby-cheeked appearance.
The Science Behind Those Adorable Features 👩🔬
Your baby’s facial development is a meticulously orchestrated process guided by genetics and impacted by environmental factors.
Around the sixth week of gestation, a flat sheet of cells called the ectoderm begins to fold into a structure known as the neural tube.
This eventually forms the brain and the spinal cord.
The frontonasal process, which will form the forehead, nose, and philtrum (the groove below the nose), also starts to shape.
- Oral-Nasal Partition: In weeks 7-8, this partition forms to separate the mouth from the nose.
- Fusion of Facial Prominences: Various 'buds' or 'prominences' merge to create distinct features like lips and eyelids.
- External Ears: By week 16, the external ears have moved from the neck to their final position.
It's not just genetics; environmental factors like your nutrition and exposure to harmful substances can also impact this process.
So it's important to stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle to support optimal facial development.
What You Can Do to Support Facial Development 👶
Now that you know how your little one’s face is developing, what steps can you take to ensure things go as smoothly as possible?
First and foremost, make sure you’re keeping up with all your prenatal appointments and ultrasounds. These check-ins with healthcare providers are essential for monitoring both your health and the baby's.
- Folic Acid: Make sure you're getting enough folic acid, crucial for neural tube development.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are great for your baby's brain and facial feature development.
- Avoid Harmful Substances: Steer clear of smoking, alcohol, and exposure to harmful chemicals.
Remember, while it’s exhilarating to see those first ultrasound images, the medical community often cautions against over-interpretation.
It’s a scientific marvel to see facial features develop, but these are just snapshots.
Continued monitoring and care are essential for a healthy pregnancy and baby.
By understanding the science behind your baby's developing face and taking proactive steps to support this crucial phase, you're setting the stage for that magical moment when you can finally meet your little one, face to face. 😊
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Ambrosia
23 May 2023
Question for my African American moms… y’all know how we have great features, full lips etc? Has anyone ever been told that their baby nasal bone was absent and baby came out just fine with it being just how his nose is my bd has a flatter type nose so I’m wondering if I should be worried. Hope my question makes sense.
Ambrosia
Supposedly this is an abnormal profile picture
27 Mar 2024
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Tamika🤰🏽💙👶🏽
My bby nose look like that on ultrasound. My doctor ain’t say nothing like this to me
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Shatia
13 May 2023
My husband and the baby have the same forehead and nose already!!!! Lol “He said it’s too early to determine the features”. I said “you can’t miss that forehead.”
Nour
Girl when my son had his 20 week ultrasound I saw right then and there he had his daddy nose structure and stuff 😂
27 Mar 2024
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Shatia
My hubby believe it’s too early I’m like it’s clear as day lol
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𝓣𝓲𝓯𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓨 💞
19 Mar 2023
I'm going to be scheduling a 3d/4d ultrasound sound! I'm so excited that my husband finally has agreed to it! I tried to get him to say yes but he wouldn't agree but since my ultrasound tech said this is the perfect time to have one done and recommend a place he has changed his mind! I can't wait to see our little girls facial features! I got a 3d one if my son at 29 weeks from the doctors office but I think it was bc I had gestational diabetes. It kind of sucks that they are so expensive but I think it'll be worth it! Has anyone else got them done or getting them done? How was your experience if you did and was it worth it?
𝓣𝓲𝓯𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓨 💞
yeah im 28 weeks and she said that it was the perfect time to getbit done. I'm going to try to get in before it's too late.
27 Mar 2024
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𝓣𝓲𝓯𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓨 💞
this was Silas ... he looked exactly like this pic when he was born and you can definitely tell he had hair lol
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Melissa
16 Mar 2023
So we found out we are having a girl and got to see baby girl move around on the ultrasound so cute I can't breath lol she's already adorable and has no features already !! She sdoing that newborn scrunch already !!! 16 weeks here now 17 weeks 6 days . ❤️💓
🍹Jenni
Congratulations 🌸🌸Aw!!🥰🥰Adorable.. during my anatomy scan my girl kept stretching back like your girl is doing! ❤️
27 Mar 2024
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Ari
31 Dec 2022
When do we get an ultrasound to see the babies facial features.. Do we have to request it ? I’m 30 weeks 5 days wondering if I have to beg for an ultrasound or will I get one in upcoming appointments
Madison
Every place is different. I had to bring it up actually bc they were booked at my doctors for it and now I have to go to the actual hospital to get one. It's a little annoying but at least I can still see him😩.
27 Mar 2024
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Amanda
So far IV done 2 ultrasounds one when I first started going andlast Thursday for the gender and she said I'd have one more at 30 weeks they are supposed to start doing the 3 d ones at 30 weeks beginning the first I hope I get one this is my last baby
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Arielle
2 Nov 2022
Having a rough day. Have gone twice for my anatomy scan and baby girl is not cooperating. She's all curled up in a ball. 3rd attempt to see face and heart features in 2 weeks.
Ashley
Try drinking something cold and sugary before. Orange juice would be good
27 Mar 2024
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Arielle
they did mention juice for next time so I'm going to try that! Thank you and fingers crossed 🤞
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Somaira🇵🇷
11 May 2022
Hii moms im 11 weeks and 3 days, and went on Monday to check in on baby everything was fine, way bigger then last time when I was 9 weeks you can definitely see more facial features it was amazing, I got to do the Blood test for the gender, & Down syndrome etc, i think it’s called (NIPT) I might be wrong , but I also got to hear the heart , and it’s was super strong I was surprised ☺️& when did they tell you your baby’s gender, like after testing how long did it take?
lindsey
Mine took 10_14 days for gender to be revealed and pray all goes well for u and your Lil one the rest of your pregnancy❤😊🙏
27 Mar 2024
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Somaira🇵🇷
Thank you!! And congrats mama 👣, you as well💖
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Liz
11 Jan 2022
I hate how my baby is sick and I can't know how he truly feels! Where does he hurt? Does he have a headache, does his tummy hurt etc it's a awful feeling as a mommy to not know what your baby is feeling when they're sick I know facial expressions, noises but it's not the same does anyone have any suggestions? 😟
Daisy
As long as you give your baby the medications as needed it should be fine.. Probly feels a little iffy. If they have a stuffy nose you can steam up the shower and sit in there w baby in bathroom so it helps atleast a bit..
27 Mar 2024
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Amanda
9 Jan 2022
Hey ladies! Was just wondering if anyone knew what week or time period I should say, is the best to get 4D ultrasound done to see babies facial features!? 💙✨
Noname
I think at 5 months would be best because they look more like a full baby and face is more shaped by then.
27 Mar 2024
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Natyia
Here for comments!
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