Fetal Growth & Development
A Miracle in You
Amazing changes are taking place in your body during pregnancy as your baby grows and develops.
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each trimester is approximately thirteen weeks. Starting with the first day of the last period, an average pregnancy lasts approximately 280 days or forty weeks. It is more accurate to calculate the length of pregnancy and growth of the baby in weeks.
The First Eight Weeks
During the first eight weeks after conception (the first ten weeks following the first day of your last menstrual period) all the major organs of your baby are formed. During this time, exposure to drugs, toxins, radiation, and other external factors could be harmful to the embryo. The majority of miscarriages occur during the first trimester.
It is very important to avoid exposure to drugs, smoking, alcohol, harmful chemicals, fumes, sprays, even some herbal products. It is also known that cats could carry a disease known as Toxoplasmosis. Therefore, it is recommended to have someone else change the cat litter.
The Amniotic Fluid
As pregnancy progresses, amniotic fluid starts forming and filling the amniotic sac around the baby. This fluid cushions and protects the baby, provides some fluid for the baby, helps keep the temperature of the baby stable, and allows the baby to swim.
The Umbilical Cord
This long, semi-transparent, jelly-like rope is attached to the placenta and grows from the baby's navel. It transports nourishment and oxygen from the mother to the baby and helps remove waste products. Fetal blood is separate from the mother's blood, and the transfer of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products takes place through a selectively permeable membrane in the placenta.
At Five Weeks
The embryo has a two-lobed brain and a spinal cord. The arms and legs start to appear. The heartbeat is seen on the 25th day. The baby's heart and lungs are developing. The baby weighs less than an ounce and is less than an inch long.
At Seven to Ten Weeks
Ears, eyelids, fingers, and toes are developed. At eight weeks, all the major organs are formed. The placenta starts working. The neural tube closes. The baby looks like a person.
At Three Months
The baby is four inches long and weighs just over one ounce. The baby starts growing fuzzy hair, buds for future teeth and soft fingernails and toenails. Kidneys begin to excrete urine and other organs further develop. At this time, the baby's heartbeat can be heard with a Doppler device.
At Four Months
The baby can hear, move, kick, swim, sleep, and swallow. The external genitalia are recognized by ultrasound. The skin is pink and transparent and eyebrows have formed. The baby is 6-7 inches long.
At Five Months
The baby is 8-12 inches long. Movement is felt by mom. Ultrasound can examine the baby's anatomy in detail.
At Six Months
The baby weighs one to one-and-a-half pounds and is eleven to fourteen inches long.
At Seven Months
The eyes open and close, and the baby sucks its thumb. The baby can respond to sound. Weighs 3 pounds.
At Eight Months
The baby now gains about one-half pound per week. Most babies are situated head down.
By the end of 37 weeks, the baby is considered mature and ready to breathe. By 38 to 40 weeks, the baby weighs six to nine pounds and is 19-21 inches in length.
Pregnancy is a great time to focus on your health. By protecting your health, you promote the healthy development of your baby.