prenatal development of the baby

  • weeks 1-2

    no development or changes from weeks 1-2, the egg was just ferilized
  • weeks 3-4

    weeks 3-4
    -conception
    -zygote turns into a blastocyst and travels down the fallopian tubes
    -rapid cell division begins
    -blastocyst implants in uterus lining during week 4 and becomes an embryo
  • weeks 5-6

    weeks 5-6
    -neural tube closes; brain and spinal cord will form
    -heart, organs, and bones start to form
    -develop head and trunk
    -arms and leg limb buds start to appear
    -brain begins development
    -eyes and ears begin to form
    - baby is about 1/6 inches long
    -heart continues to develop and beats a regular rhythm
  • weeks 7-8

    weeks 7-8
    -brain and faceshape begin growing
    -four-chamber heart
    -lungs begin to form
    -fingers and toes start to form, ear begins to develop internally, lip and nose has formed
    -trunk and neck begin to straighten
    -body is about 1/2 inches long
    -all major organs are formed
  • week 10

    week 10
    • The head is half the size of the baby -all body parts are present -eyes, ears, arms, and legs are identifiable -baby is 1/4 inches long
  • week 11

    -genitals develop
    -head is about half the length of the body
    -teeth buds form
    -baby is about 2 inches long and weighs 1/3 of an ounce
  • week 12

    week 12
    -fingernails grow
    -face has a more defined profile
    -intestines are in the abdomen
    -baby is about 2 1/2 inches long and weighs about 1/2 an ounce
  • weeks 14

    -babies sex will become apperent
    -baby can swallow and make urine
    -baby is about 3 1/2 inches long and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces
  • week 16

    -baby is moving but mom cannot feel it
    -baby is about 4 1/2 inches and weighs about 4 ounces
  • weeks 18-19

    -baby begins to hear
    -digestive system works
    -vernix caseosa covers the body
  • weeks 20-21

    -regular sleep and wake patterns
    -all organs and structures formed
    -breathing movements occur but are underdeveloped
    -covered in lanugo
    -may begin to suck thumb
    -baby is about 6 1/3 inches long and weighs about 11 ounces
  • week 22

    week 22
    -has nails, eyebrows, fingerprints, lashes, and possibly some hair
    -more active
    -heartbeat heard with a stephescope
    -lowers limit of viability (survival outside the mother)
    -baby is 7 1/2 inches long and weighs about 1 pound
  • week 24

    -wrinkly skin, tanslucent, and pinkish-red
    -lung development
    -regular sleep and wake patterns
    -baby is 8 inches long and weighs about 1 1/3 pound
  • week 28-29

    -eyes begin to partially open and close
    -baby begins to kick and stretch
    -lungs are capable of breathing air
    -central nervous system directs breathing and body temperature
    -baby is about 10 inches long and weighs about 2 1/4 pounds
  • weeks 31-32

    weeks 31-32
    -finished most major development
    -rapid weight gain begins
    -lanugo starts to fall off
    -baby is about 11 inches long and weighs about 3 3/4 pounds
  • week 34

    -continues to grow fingernails and toenails
    -develop breathing motion
    -responds to light
    -skin is pink and smooth
    -baby is about 12 inches long and weighs about 4 1/2 pounds
  • weeks 36-37

    -takes up most of the amniotic sac
    -starts to turn head down to prepare for labor
    -baby is about 13 1/2inches long and weighs about 6 pounds
    -will continue to gain about 1/2 pound a week until delivery
  • weeks 38-40

    weeks 38-40
    -brain, lungs, liver still developing
    -brain will double in size between weeks 35-39
    -lung development during the last few weeks help with fewer complications during birth
    -at week 39 baby is considered full term
    -weight gain helps with temperature control after birth