Fetal Development Month by Month: Stages of Baby Growth in the Womb
Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!
Are you wondering how big your developing baby is,
what your baby looks like as it grows inside you,
and when you'll feel it move?
Take a peek inside the womb to see how a baby develops from
month to month.
Month 1
As the fertilized egg grows, a water-tight sac forms around it,
gradually filling with fluid. This is called the amniotic sac,
and it helps cushion the growing embryo.
The placenta also develops. The placenta is a round
flat organ that transfers nutrients from
the mother to the baby, and transfers
waste from the baby. A primitive face
will take form with large dark circles
for eyes. The mouth, lower jaw, and throat
are developing. Blood cells are taking
shape and circulation will begin. The
tiny "heart" tube will beat 65 times a
minute by the end of the fourth week.
By the end of the first month, your baby is about
1/4 inch long, smaller than a grain of rice!
Month 2
Your baby's facial features
continue to develop. Each ear begins as a
little fold of skin at the side of the
head. Tiny buds that eventually grow into
arms and legs are forming. Fingers toes
and eyes are also forming. The neural
tube (that's brain spinal cord and other
neural tissue of the central nervous
system) is well formed. The digestive
tract and sensory organs begin to
develop. Bone starts to replace cartilage.
The head is large in proportion to the
rest of the baby's body.
By the end of
the second month, your baby is about an
inch long and weighs about 1/30 of
an ounce. At about six weeks, your baby's
heartbeat can usually be detected.
After
the eighth week, your baby is called a
fetus instead of an embryo.
Month 3
Your baby's arms, hands,
fingers, feet, and toes are fully formed.
Your baby can open and close its fists
and mouth. Fingernails and toenails are
beginning to develop and the external
ears are formed. The beginnings of teeth
are forming. Your baby's reproductive
organs also develop, but the baby's
gender is difficult to distinguish on
ultrasound.
By the end of the third month,
your baby is fully formed.All the organs
and extremities are present and will
continue to mature in order to become
functional. The circulatory and urinary
systems are working and the liver
produces bile.
By the end of the third
month, your baby is about four inches
long and weighs about one ounce.
Since your baby's most critical
development has taken place, your chance
of miscarriage drops considerably after
three months.
Month 4
Your baby's heartbeat may now
be audible through an instrument called
a doppler. The fingers and toes are
well-defined. Eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes,
nails, and hair are formed. Teeth and
bones become denser. Your baby can even
suck his or her thumb, yawn, stretch, and
make faces.
The nervous system is
starting to function. The reproductive
organs and genitalia are now fully
developed, and your doctor can see on
ultra sound if you're having a boy or a
girl.
By the end of the fourth month your
baby is about six inches long and weighs
about four ounces.
Month 5
You may begin to feel your
baby move since he or she is developing
muscles and exercising them. This first
movement is called quickening. Hair
begins to grow on the baby's head. Your
baby's shoulders, back, and temples are
covered by a soft fine hair called
lanugo. This hair protects your baby and
is usually shed at the end of the baby's
first week of life.
The baby's skin is
covered with a whitish coating called
vernix caseosa. This cheesy substance is
thought to protect baby's skin from the
long exposure to the amniotic fluid. This
coating is shed just before birth.
By the end of the fifth month, your baby is
about ten inches long and weighs from
one half to one pound.
Month 6
Your baby's skin is reddish in
color, wrinkled, and veins are visible
through the baby's translucent skin.
Baby's fingers and toe prints are
visible. The eyelids begin to part and
the eyes open. Baby responds to sounds by
moving or increasing the pulse.
You may notice jerking motions if baby
hiccups. If born prematurely, your baby
may survive after the 23rd week with
intensive care.
By the end of the sixth
month, your baby is about 12 inches long
04:51 and weighs about 2 pounds.
Month 7
Your baby will continue to
mature and develop reserves of body fat.
Your baby's hearing is fully developed.
He or she changes position frequently
and responds to stimuli, including sound,
pain, and light. The amniotic fluid begins
to diminish.
At the end of the seventh
month, your baby is about 14 inches long
05:19 and weighs from 2 to 4 pounds. If born
prematurely, your baby would be likely to
survive after the seventh month.
Month 8
Your baby will continue to
mature and develop reserves of body fat.
You may notice that your baby is kicking
more. Baby's brain is developing rapidly
at this time, and your baby can see and
hear. Most internal systems are well
developed but the lungs may still be
immature.
Your baby is about 18 inches
long and weighs as much as five pounds.
Month 9
Your baby continues to grow
and mature: the lungs are nearly fully
developed. Your baby's reflexes are
coordinated so he or she can blink, close
the eyes, turn the head, grasp firmly, and
respond to sounds, light and touch.
Baby
is definitely ready to enter the world!
You may notice that your baby moves less
due to tight space. Your baby's position
changes to prepare itself for labor and
delivery. The baby drops down into your
pelvis. Usually the baby's head is down
towards the birth canal.
Your baby is
about 18 to 20 inches long and weighs
about 7 pounds.
Instill the virtue of patience and cultivate a sense of creativity together with your baby.
There is no better time to educate your baby intimately than while he/she is inside of you!
You definitely wouldn't want to miss this great opportunity!
Find out more HERE!!!
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