If you just found out you're pregnant, congratulations! From the moment of conception to the day you meet your baby, there's so much to look forward to. In this article, we cover the highlights of your child's prenatal development, quarter by quarter and week by week.
If you are in the early stages of pregnancy and are unsure of your due date orhow far are you, try ourexpiration date calculator. You just need to know the date of your conception or the date of the first day of your last menstrual period.
Fetal development stages week by week
Exciting times lie ahead in the first few days and weeks of your pregnancy. Whether you're expecting a pregnancy or are in for a sweet surprise, remember that it may be a few weeks after conception before you suspect you might be pregnant. Take our test and find out how much you already know aboutfirst signs of pregnancy.
first trimester
Your exciting pregnancy journey starts here. Below is a basic timeline of fetal development, starting with thefirst trimester. During this stage, your baby is growing from a microscopic clump of cells to a plum-sized fetus with early facial features that may start to look a little like hers.
Weeks 1-3
Your pregnancy "begins" on the last day of your period.
Ovulation occurs in the middle of your cycle.
The sperm meets the egg and fertilization occurs.
The placenta begins to form and will nourish your baby until birth.
week 4
The fertilized egg implants in the uterus and begins to develop into an embryo.
The umbilical cord begins to form from the placenta.
Your child is the size of a poppy.
week 5
Great strides are being made with the development of the neural tube (which ultimately makes up the brain, spine, and spinal cord).
The lungs and heart begin to form, and the heart may begin to beat. Maybe you'll hear it forultrasonicSometime between 6 and 12 weeks.
The amniotic sac has formed and is filling with amniotic fluid, which protects your baby during pregnancy.
This may be the case if you suspect you're pregnant: it's time to pack a housepregnancy testand schedule a visit with your doctor.
The embryo is about the size of an orange seed.
week 6
The embryo is now curled into a curved C shape.
Small shoots will appear, which will become arms and legs.
The embryo is about the size of a pomegranate seed.
week 7
the brain and face grow.
Eyelids and bones begin to form.
The nostrils and retinas begin to develop.
The embryo is about the size of a blueberry.
week 8
All major organs have formed and are growing - the basic components are in place.
Tubes connect the throat to the lungs to allow for future breathing.
By the end of this week, your child will no longer be an embryo, but will be medically called a fetus.
The fetus is now the size of a raspberry.
week 9
Smaller facial features are formed, including a more prominent nose.
The head is large in relation to the body, but your child is now more in the shape of a mini baby.
The fetus is the size of a cherry.
(Video) Fetal Development Week by Week Overview
week 10
The head is rounded.
Eyelids and ears are developing - someone is getting ready to see and hear you.
Your child is the size of a strawberry.
week 11
Muscle building begins.
The spine is still soft and flexible, but other bones are starting to harden.
The production of red blood cells begins in the liver.
The head still makes up half the length of the baby's body.
The fetus is the size of a Brussels sprout.
week 12
Your child is moving, but you still don't feel it.
The hands and arms are more developed than the lower limbs.
Facial features become more defined. Your child may be growing into your nose or your partner's chin.
If you have a Doppler test this week, you might hear a heartbeat.
The fetus is the size of a passion fruit.
week 13
The sex hormones testosterone and estrogen are produced.
Your child can now produce urine after swallowing amniotic fluid.
All organs are fully developed and constantly growing.
The average fetus is the size of a large plum.
second trimester
The second trimester is full of exciting milestones in prenatal development, like feeling your baby move for the first time. If you wish, you can also find out your baby's gender in this trimester. If you're finding out if you're having a boy or a girl and want to share the good news with family and friends, you might want to have one.revelation partyto let the cat out of the bag.
week 14
Your child can now put his hands in his mouth.
Taste and smell begin to develop.
The skin begins to thicken.
The neck and lower limbs are more defined.
The fetus is now the size of a nectarine.
week 15
The fetus can now roll over and tip over.
This tiny heart pumps up to 100 liters of blood a day.
Hair follicles began to develop.
The fetus is now the size of a small grapefruit.
week 16
The digestive system begins to work.
The fetus can now hear some sounds, so keep talking and singing.
Your child may be the size of an apple.
(Video) Pregnancy Week-By-Week 🌟 Weeks 3-42 Fetal Development 👶🏼
week 17
The glands may start to produce a fatty substance that protects the skin in the uterus.
The eyes can now move slowly.
Toenails begin to grow.
The fetus is now the size of a pear.
week 18
A fine fluff known as lanugo begins to cover this small body.
The fetus can be awakened from sleep in response to your movements.
Your child is the size of a sweet potato.
week 19
Kicks and moves can become stronger.
Ovaries develop in girls and testes in boys.
The fetus can (adorably) suck its thumb.
Your child is the size of a mango.
week 20
Some facial features and external genitalia may be visible on ultrasound.
Your baby produces meconium, which is the waste that becomes their first poop after birth.
Your nails are growing.
The average baby is the size of a pepper.
week 21
The fingers and toes have completed their development and are ready to be counted at birth.
The rhythmic movements you feel could be the baby's hiccups.
Maybe you have a favorite sleeping position.
Your baby is the size of a banana.
week 22
The eyes may move for a few weeks, but the eyelids are still closed.
Your baby's hearing will become sharper; You may move suddenly when you hear loud noises.
Your eyebrows grow.
Your baby is now the size of a papaya.
week 23
Your baby can now respond to the sound of your voice by moving.
He spends most of his time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
Your baby is the size of an eggplant.
week 24
Fetal lung development is ongoing. The lungs have formed, but are not yet functional.
The skin is thin and wrinkled, and blood vessels are visible.
The average baby is the size of an ear of corn.
(Video) from fertilization to childbirth | 3d medical animation | by Dandelion Team
week 25
Your baby's nervous system is developing rapidly.
It gets fatter and fatter, filling out those cheeks that you'll soon be squeezing.
Your baby could be the size of a pumpkin this week.
week 26
Your baby begins to produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
Fetal lung development continues as the lungs begin to produce surfactant so they can inflate properly.
Your child is the size of a zucchini.
week 27
Your child can now make grasping movements.
Hearing his voice gives them security; His heart rate may drop when you talk to him or sing to him.
Your baby may kick and stretch more often.
Your baby is now the size of a head of cauliflower.
third quarter
Time flies and you and your child have reached the third trimester. It'll be over before you know it, so get yourspacked a hospital bagwith everything you, your birth partner and your baby need. That's what happens to your baby's development during this trimester.
week 28
Your eyes can now open and close.
Breathing becomes more rhythmic.
Perhaps this week your eyelashes will start to grow.
The average baby is the size of a head of lettuce.
week 29
Kicks and movements may be more noticeable.
download ourfetal movement trackerto facilitate kick counting.
Your baby could be the size of a pumpkin.
week 30
Fine hairs called lanugo may begin to fall out.
Your baby may have hair on its head.
The bone marrow begins to produce red blood cells, which help carry oxygen.
Your baby is now the size of a cabbage.
week 31
Your baby can now regulate his own body temperature.
The bones begin to harden.
The skull is still soft and pliable and doesn't fully harden until your baby is around 2 years old.
Your baby is now the size of a coconut.
week 32
Toenails may be visible this week; it might be time for a little pedicure right after giving birth.
Your baby is gaining weight and her skin is now less transparent.
It's the size of a Chinese cabbage.
(Video) Pregnancy Week By Week || 1 - 41 Weeks Fetal Developments
week 33
Your baby will gain about a pound a week from now until birth.
The brain continues to develop and all five senses are functioning.
Your baby is now the size of a pineapple.
week 34
Your baby may shift into a head-down position as you prepare for delivery.
Nails continue to grow.
Your baby is gaining weight and adding fat.
It is now the size of a cantaloupe.
week 35
Fetal brain development continues; Other parts of the nervous system and lungs are also developing.
As your baby gains weight, her skin becomes redder and less transparent.
The musculoskeletal system is fully developed to allow for movement after birth.
Your baby may be the size of a honeydew.
week 36
It takes up more space in the amniotic sac.
Kicking, turning, and other fetal movements continue.
Your child is the size of a romaine lettuce.
week 37
Your baby is still growing and is considered a premature baby.
The body hair called Lanugo has almost completely fallen out.
Your baby has added enough fat to keep him warm.after birth.
The average baby is the size of a bunch of Swiss chard.
week 38
Liver and lung development is almost complete.
The head and abdomen can be approximately the same size.
It may start to sink further into the pelvis.
Your baby is the size of a bunch of rhubarb.
week 39
Your baby is now officially full term.
Fetal brain development continues, and their brains will continue to grow well into infancy.
Your baby is the size of a watermelon.
week 40
Developmentally, your baby is ready to be born.
Its length will likely be between 18 and 20 inches.
The medianewbornIt weighs between six and nine kilos, about the size of a pumpkin.
Forty weeks might seem like a long time to wait to meet your child, but that day will come before you know it. As you can see, your baby will be very busy in the weeks and months leading up to her big debut. In the meantime, you have plenty to do to prepare for the big day. You might want to download it.Pampers Club appso you get rewarded right from the start for every diaper and wipe you buy. Sign up for even more weekly pregnancy advice here: