Here’s a monthly breakdown of fetal development:
Month 1
ConceptionFertilizationImplantation (approximately 7-10 days after fertilization)Physical attributes are determined (gender, hair colour, eye colour)The amniotic sac, umbilical cord and yolk sac are beginning to formBy the end of month 1, the baby is approximately 2mm longMonth 2
At this stage the baby is considered a fetusHeart, neural tube, major organs, arms and legs begin to formHeart beat is visible by ultrasound by approximately the 6th weekPlacenta, eyes, ears, mouth and bones formThe baby’s fingers and toes develop, but may remain webbed for the time beingBrain and cranial nerves begin to form, sex organs become visibleBy the end of month 2, the baby is approximately ½- ¾ of an inch long, weighing approximately 1-2 grams.Month 3
With an ultrasound the baby’s legs and arms can be seen moving visiblyThe heartbeat can be heard and detected by Doppler radarThe baby’s sex organs continue to developMuscle tissues on the abdomen, limbs and head begin to formFace is well formedHeart and major organ development is complete by the end of Month 3By the end of Month 3, the baby is 3-4 inches long and weighs approximately 1 ounce.Month 4
Hair and teeth begin to formThe baby is now very active, and its movement can be felt by month 4-5Digestive system and intestines formThe baby’s gender can be determined by the end of this monthBy the end of Month 4, the baby is approximately 5-6 inches long and weighs approximately 5-8 ounces.Month 5
The baby begins to develop lanugo, which is a fine hair that covers the entire bodyEyelashes, eyebrows, fingerprints and footprints developThe baby learns to suck and swallowA white, super soft covering called vernix appears on the baby’s skin as a protective layerThe baby’s ears develop and he/she may begin to hear noises from outside the womb by this pointBy the end of Month 5, the baby is approximately 7-8 inches long and weighs approximately ¾-1 lbMonth 6
The baby’s immune system develops and he/she begins to create antibodiesReflexes in the hands and feet developLungs and alveoli begin to formBy the end of Month 6, the baby is approximately 9-10 inches long and weighs approximately 1.5-2.25 lbsMonth 7
The baby can now open his/her eyes and cryActivity continues to increase as his/her movements may be seen from outside of the bellyThe baby’s body fat continues to increase as his/her bones are now fully developedBy the end of Month 7, the baby is approximately 11 inches long and weighs approximately 3-3.5 lbsMonth 8
Fetal development is usually complete by this month, but the baby continues to grow and mature in preparation for life outside of the wombThe baby experiences a lot of REM sleep at this point but is still very active when awakeThe baby starts to become a bit cramped for space but remains activeBy the end of Month 8, the baby is approximately 13 inches long and weighs approximately 5-6 lbsMonth 9
The baby is now preparing for birth, spending a lot of time resting with frequent active periodsThe baby begins to move into position in preparation for birth with his/her head pointing downwardBirth weights and lengths vary, but typically he/she should be approximately 19-21 inches in length and weigh approximately 7-8 lbsA great way to track your baby’s progress is with the help of a Pregnancy & Ovulation Wheel Calculator. Not only does it help pinpoint the days in which you are most likely to conceive, but once pregnancy is confirmed it continues to track your progress as it calculates your trimesters, when the fetal heartbeat can be heard, when disgnostic testing can be conducted and much, much more. Order Yours Today!
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