Can the baby hear in utero?

Around 16-18 weeks of gestation, the baby can hear internal sounds, i.e. sounds coming from inside the mother's body, such as breathing, the mother's heartbeat, bowel sounds, etc.

However, as the baby's auditory system and brain develop, the baby will be able to hear external sounds and differentiate them around 28 weeks gestation.

However, the baby will not perceive sounds as they are perceived from the outside. The layers of tissue and amniotic fluid that protect it cause these sounds to reach it in a distorted way.