Fetal Growth Devt.

Milestones of Fetal Growth and Development

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FIRST TRIMESTER Incredible Color Photos of Fetal Development

Time

Stage of Development

Week 2

Although this is considered to be the second week of your pregnancy, you are not actually 2 weeks pregnant yet. During this week, your body will release an egg. As it travels down the fallopian tube, it will be met by your partner's sperm and fertilization will take place. The fertilized egg, now known as a zygote, will then continue traveling down the fallopian tubes finally reaching the uterus three to four days after fertilization.

Week 4

By the time you are four weeks pregnant, the fertilized egg will have implanted itself into your uterine lining. At this point, the zygote is now known as an embryo. After implantation, the embryo begins to divide itself into two: one part of it will develop into the placenta while the other will go on to become your baby.

Week 6

During the sixth week of your pregnancy, your baby's heart will begin to beat and blood will start to circulate throughout his body. His umbilical cord will also start to form, as will his head, eyes, intestines and liver.

Week 10

This week marks the end of the embryonic stage of development. For the rest of your pregnancy, your baby will be known as a fetus. Your baby's external genitalia begin to form this week while her facial features as well as limbs become more apparent. By the end of the week, your baby's vital organs will not only be formed but will also have begun to work.

SECOND TRIMESTER Incredible Color Photos of Fetal Development

Time

Stage of Development

Week 14

Now that you are 14 weeks pregnant, you have officially started your second trimester. The risk of miscarriage is significantly decreased at this point. In addition to your baby's reproductive organs developing, your baby will also begin to grow some hair as well as form eyelids, fingernails and toenails. You may even be able to feel your baby moving inside of you this week.

Week 18

By the time your are 18 weeks pregnant, your baby's finger and toe pads will have formed, which means the fingerprints won't be far behind. The bones in your baby's inner ear will have developed enough by this point that he may start responding to loud outside sounds. Additionally, your baby could weigh as much as 7 ounces now and measure about five inches long.

Week 22

Your baby’s sense are so developed by the time you are 22 weeks pregnant that she is likely to starting experimenting. Don’t be surprised to if you see her sucking her thumb on an ultrasound. Your baby’s sweat glands also begin to develop this week while her brain begins to quicken its development.

THIRD TRIMESTER Incredible Color Photos of Fetal Development

Time

Stage of Development

Week 26

During this week, development of the retinas will finish and your baby’s eyes will begin to open and even blink. If your baby were born now, he would have a 50% chance of survival with proper medical care. This week also marks the end of your second trimester. Next week, when you are 27 weeks pregnant, you will officially be in your third (and final) trimester.

Week 30

As your baby begins practicing how to breathe this week, she may end up with a case of the hiccups if she swallows too much amniotic fluid. Your baby is also putting on more body fat, which will help keep her warm when she is born. Although your baby would be premature if she was born now, she would have a good chance of surviving.

Week 40

This is the official end of the gestational period. Even though your baby is ready and able to live outside of you, it is perfectly normal for your baby to arrive as much as two weeks after his due date.

Fetal Growth Chart by Trimester: First Trimester (first 3 months) Conception to 4 weeks

• Less than 1/10 inches long • Spinal cord, nervous system, gastrointestinal system, heart and lungs begin to develop • Amniotic sac envelopes the body

8 weeks

• Less than 1 inch long • Face is forming with rudimentary eyes, ears, mouth and teeth • Arms and legs are moving • Brain is forming • Fetal heartbeat is detectable with ultrasound

12 weeks

• About 3 inches long, weighs 1 ounce • Can move arms, fingers and toes • Fingerprints are present • Can smile. frown, suck and swallow • Sex is

distinguishable

Second Trimester (middle 3 months) 16 weeks

20 weeks

• About 5 1/2 inches long and • 10 to 12 inches long and weighs 4 ounces weighs 1/2 to 1 pound • Strong heartbeat • Heartbeat is audible with • Thin, transparent skin formed stethoscope • Downy hair (lanugo) covers • Sucks thumb body • Hiccups • Fingernails and toenails are • Hair, eyelashes, and forming eyebrows have formed • Coordinated movements; is able

24 weeks

• 11 to 14 inches long and weighs 1 to 1 1/2 pounds • Skin is wrinkled are covered with protective coating • Eyes are open • Has strong grip

to roll over in amniotic fluid

Third Trimester (last 3 1/2 months) 28 weeks

32 weeks

• 14 to 17 inches long and weighs 2 1/2 to 3 pounds • Adding body fat • Very active

• 16 1/2 to 18 inches long and weighs 4 to 5 pound • Periods of sleep and wakefulness • Responds to sounds • Rudimentary breathing present • May assume birth position • Bones of head are soft and flexible

36 to 38 weeks

• 19 inches long and weighs 6 pounds • Skin is less wrinkled • Less active • Gaining immunities from mother

• Iron is being stored in liver

References: http://www.epigee.org/fetal.html http://www.babies.sutterhealth.org/babygrowth/fetaldev/index.ht ml http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/connecticut/ECTfe tal.htm http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/slide_fetal_dev.html http://www.epigee.org/fetal_development.html http://www.childdevelopmentweb.com/Pregnancy/prenatal.asp http://www.cpmc.org/services/pregnancy/information/fetal_develo pment.html