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Week 1
During week 1 of development, this is the beginning of the first trimester, and baby isn't even developing yet. This is the last week of menstruation and the first week of pregnancy. -
Week 2
This is where fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes and the mature ovum rapidly divides. It also travels to the uterus. -
Week 3
By this week, the sperm has already predetermined the embryo's gender. This week also brings the egg to the uterus and allows it to imbed into the uterine wall. Lastly, week 3 is the week you usually find out you are pregnant. -
Week 4
The egg is now called at blastocyte at this stage. The implantation of the embryo just occured and hCG will be released into the bloodstream and faint clues of pregnancy start to occur. -
Week 5
At this time you may be 5 weeks pregnant but conception was only 3 weeks ago. The growth of the embryo goes from the size of a pin's head, to about 4 to 5 mm as the amniotic fluid is building up. As the placenta develops, the embryo is starting to recieve oxygen and nutrition from it. Lastly, the egg has finally completely imbedded itself into the amniotic cavity. -
Week 6
The embryo is finally 1/4 of an inch! The spinal cord is finally closing as the eye sockets are beginning to open. The embryo has cells in place to form its arms and legs, and a pipe-shaped heart is forming and beginning to beat. Lastly, the blood vessels are forming and the brain is splitting into 5 parts. -
Week 7
The embryo is now a half an inch in length! The heart is beating with one chamber and forming a wall inside to continue pumping blood and forming organs like lungs, liver, pancreas, and the thyroid gland. The mouth opening is formed but many other parts are still forming like the arms, legs, lower jaw, vocal cords, inner ear, digestive tract, and the naval string. -
Week 8
The embryo is now 3/4 of an inch! As the face takes its shape, the eyes look like small holes on the side of the head, the mouth and nostrils are starting to develop, and teeth are being formed under the gums. Although the arms and legs are still growing, the feet and hand buds are visible and the elbow and toe locations are forming. The stomach is also forming from the gut. However, even though the mother can't feel it yet, but the baby is practicing movement. -
Week 9
The embryo is 1.2 inches in length! Parts like the heart, fingers, toes, and eyelids are formed. Also, parts are developing like bones, cartilage, upper lip, nose tip, tongue, and larynx. -
Week 10
The embryo is now the size of a small strawberry and is now known as a Fetus. While you still can't feel, the fetus' muscles are almost done forming and the fetus is beginning to move. The jaws are in place as well as fingerprints, ears, and nose are as well. The neck, nipples, and hair follicles are forming. -
Week 11
The fetus is now 1.5 inches! Cartilage is formed as well as fingers, toes, tooth buds, tongue, and reproductive organs. The babies taste buds are still forming. -
Week 12
The fetus is about 6 cm long! The fetus' face is starting to form more and insulin is produced by the pancreas to help the fetus move spontaneously. -
Week 13
The fetus is now 3 inches long! It is also about 1 ounce in weight, due to bones forming over cartilage. The nose and chin and external genitalia are defined. -
Week 14
The fetus is 3.5 inches! The first sight of hair is appearing and the facial looks are defining. Also, urine is producing and the reproductive organs are settling. -
Week 15
You are now in Trimester 2 of fetal development! The fetus is now 4 inches in length and 2.5 ounces. Although the baby's skin is still very thin, the fetus can make a fist and nails are present. -
Week 16
The fetus is now 5 inches and 3.5 ounces! The baby can hear external voices, and is gaining fat while a protective covering regulates its' temperature. -
Week 17
The fetus now weighs approximately 5 ounces and is 5 inches in length (9 inches stretching out). The umbilical cord is stronger and thicker and its' retinas are becoming sensitive to light. Also, stool is starting to form as well. -
Week 18
The fetus is now 6 inches long and about 7 ounces. It is now hearing external noises, and sometimes is startled by these. The body is also building a protective wax layer, known as Vernix. -
Week 19
As the placenta continues to grow, the fetus also is growing to about 6.5 inches long and 9 ounces. In an ultrasound, the baby is known for having distinct scalp hair, genitalia, and heart structure. -
Week 20
The pregnancy is now half way over with, and the fetus is about 7 ounces and 7 inches long. Now, the heart can be heard through a stethoscope, and the fetus can recognize the mother's voice. Its skin is growing thicker and is gaining more body hair, and nails. -
Week 21
The fetus is now 10.5 inches and 12.7 ounces. Fat is beginning to grow faster now and bone marrow is starting to produce blood cells. -
Week 22
The fetus is now about 1 pound. Also, the baby reacts to loud sounds now and any mother movement can wake up the baby. Taste buds are forming and the sleeping schedule is now taking place. -
Week 23
The baby slowly grows to now 11 inches tall. The bones in the middle ear are now hardening and the eyebrows are defined. -
Week 24
The fetus is now approximately 1.3 pounds and 12 inches long. Also, the eyelids are more defined. -
Week 25
The fetus is usually about 13.5 inches and 1 1/2 pounds now. As the brain is starting to mature, bones are almost formed completely as well as the sex organs. -
Week 26
At this time, the fetus is 1.7 pounds and about 14 inches long. The baby's eyes begin to open and the hands are becoming very active. -
Week 27
Welcome to the last trimester! The fetus is now 14.5 inches long and 2 pounds. The hearing is developing more and more and the eyes are active now. -
Week 28
The fetus is now coming to a close 14.8 inches and 2.2 pounds! The milk teeth are in the gums now and the scalp hair is now defined. -
Week 29
The fetus is a whopping 15 inches and 2.5 pounds now! Since it is coming soon, the brain is busy creating neurons, pain senses are high, and the muscles and lungs are continuing to mature. -
Week 30
The baby is now 16 inches and 3 pounds. The head alone is 8 cm in diameter as well. The fetus also controls its own body temperature and the skin is smoothing out. -
Week 31
As the baby is leaning towards 4 pounds, its' eyes are more sensitive to light as they are open completely now. Also, loud noises might frighten the fetus. -
Week 32
The fetus' head is now about 10 cm wide, which is how big the birth canal should be in labor. Also, nails are now completely formed but fat is still rapidly forming under the skin. -
Week 33
The fetus is now 4.4 pounds and about 17.5 inches long. For the rest of the pregnancy, gaining weight will occur rapidly in common pregnancies, even though the baby drinks about a pint of amniotic fluid a day. Do not fear though, half of the weight will go straight to the baby. Also, the baby is losing its' lanugo. -
Week 34
Now the fetus is a little over 5 pounds, usually caused by the fat accumulating in the plump arms and legs. Also, the eyes now open and close to sleep. -
Week 35
At this time, your fetus' relfexes are coordinated and the lungs are almost developed. Also, there is typically a 90% chance that is the baby is born this week, they will live. -
Week 36
At an exciting 19 inches and 6 pounds, the body is becoming chubby from fat and you may start feeling contractions from the womb. -
Week 37
Now the baby is getting ready to come out! It is a big 7 pounds about, and the mother's water could break at any time. -
Week 38
Now, at 20 inches, the soft down is slowly disappearing for the upcoming event and the baby might have already been in its' final birth position. Lastly, the wrinkled skin is now "baby" smooth! -
Week 39
Since development is complete, the fetus is roughly 20 inches long and 7.5 pounds. The baby is moving further down into the uterus, and is still constantly moving. -
Week 40
Congrats! You have ended the 40 weeks! The due date has arrived, everything is developed, and the baby is ready for birth... probably just as much as you are!
