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1st Month
The amniotic sac helps cushion the growing embryo throughout pregnancy. The placenta also develops at this point. The placenta transfers nutrients from the mother to the baby, and transfers waste from the baby. A primitive face takes 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 baby is around 6-7mm (1/4 inch) long - about the size of a grain of rice! -
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Prenatal Development
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2nd Month
The facial features continue to develop. Each ear begins as a fold of skin at the side of the head. Tiny buds, that grow into arms and legs are forming. Fingers, toes, and eyes are also forming. The brain, spinal cord, and other tissue of the nervous system is well formed. The digestive tract and sensory organs begin to develop. Bone starts to replace cartilage. The baby is now called a fetus. The fetus is about 1 inch long and weighs 9.45g (1/3 oz.) and a 1/3 of baby is now made up of its head -
3rd Month
The baby has arms, hands, fingers, feet, and toes. It can open and close its fists and mouth. Fingernails and toenails are beginning to develop and the external ears are formed. Teeth are forming. The baby's reproductive organs also develop, but the baby's gender is difficult to distinguish on ultrasound. The circulatory and urinary systems are working and the liver produces bile. At the end of the third month, your baby is about 7.6 -10 cm (3-4 inches) long and weighs about 28g (1 ounce). -
4th Month
The baby's fingers and toes are well-defined. His eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails and hair are formed and teeth and bones are becoming denser. The baby can even suck its thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces. The nervous system is starting to function. The reproductive organs and genitalia are now fully developed. You can now determine the baby's gender. Your baby's heartbeat may now be audible through an instrument called a Doppler. The baby is about 6 inches long and weighs about 4 ounces. -
5th Month
Hair is beginning to grow on the head and lanugo, a soft fine hair, covers his or her shoulders, back, and temples.It protects the baby and usually is gone by the end of the first week of birth. The baby's skin is covered with a coating called vernix caseosa. It is thought that it protects the baby's skin from long exposure to the Amniotic Fluid. Sheds just before birth. The baby is now about 10 inches long and weighs from 1/2 to 1 pound. -
6th Month
The baby is about 12 inches long and weighs about 2 pounds. The baby's skin is reddish in color, wrinkled, and veins are visible through the baby's translucent skin. Baby's finger and toe prints are visible. The eyelids begin to part and the eyes open. The baby may also at this point respond to sounds by moving or increasing the pulse. -
7th Month
Fat begins to be deposited on to the baby. The baby is about 14 inches long and weighs from 2-4 pounds. The baby's hearing is fully developed and the baby changes position frequently and responds to stimuli, including sound, pain and light. -
8th Month
The baby is now 18 inches long and weighs as much as 5 pounds. The baby will continue to mature and develop body fat reserves. The baby's brain is developing rapidly at this time and the baby can see or hear. Most systems are well developed but the lungs may still be immature. -
9th Month
The baby continues to grow and mature. The baby's lungs are nearly fully developed. Your baby's reflexes are coordinated so it can blink, close the eyes, turn the head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light, and touch. The baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down into the pelvis, and usually its head is facing down toward the birth canal. The baby is about 18-20 inches long and weighs about 7 pounds.
