If you’re going to be a surrogate, you’ve already had at least one healthy pregnancy. You’re familiar with all those little butterfly kicks you feel early on during the pregnancy, the hiccups, and the big swift kicks as the baby grows. However, even veteran moms and gestational carriers might not know some of the other antics that go on in the womb. Check out these other surprising things you can expect the baby to do when you’re going to be a surrogate.

1. Taste the Foods You Eat

Did you know that the foods you eat while you’re carrying the baby will flavor the amniotic fluid. Because the baby “breathes” it in, he will taste it, too. What’s even more interesting, scientific studies have shown that when babies start eating real foods, they actually prefer foods they’ve tasted in the womb; yet another reason to pack in lots of fruits and veggies when you’re going to be a surrogate.

2. Carry their Own “Children”

By the way, baby girls make all the eggs they’ll ever need, while they’re still in the womb. As a result, as a surrogate you’re not just carrying a baby for the intended parents; you’re carrying their grandchildren, too!

3. Develop Teeth

All babies start developing their teeth while they’re in the womb. And somewhere around 1 in every 2,000 children actually have one visible tooth at birth.

4. Form Fingerprints

A baby’s fingerprints actually form early in a pregnancy. The pattern is set somewhere between the 10th and 16th week.

5. Cry

Studies have shown that babies actually cry while they’re in the womb. Although the study may seem cruel to some of you, researchers came across the phenomenon accidentally.  They were trying to find out if babies who had been exposed to nicotine or cocaine in the womb responded differently to stimulus, so they played soft music to see how the babies reacted. Babies from all backgrounds occasionally responded by crying, and researchers learned that the response was a natural development that occurs during the third trimester.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi-01eITZaU

6. Learn

Another interesting fact is that babies start to pick up the nuances of language during the last ten weeks of development. Studies show that babies respond to the language they hear while in the womb more than they do to other languages, and this change is noticeable just hours after birth. They also recognize voices, so it’s helpful to spend lots of time with the intended parents if you’re going to be a surrogate. You can also play recordings of the intended parents’ voices or put them on speakerphone, so that the baby recognizes them and finds natural comfort in their words after arrival.

Ready to Be a Surrogate?

If you’re not already established with an agency and would like to be a surrogate and help a very lucky family, we’d like to help you meet your ideal match. We’ll also walk you through the entire process, so it’s simple and enjoyable for everyone. Take a moment to review our surrogate guidelines and contact us when you’re ready to get started.