Early Pregnancy
The egg and sperm come together in the outer third of the Fallopian Tube. After they have joined, the two cells very rapidly multiply. This stage is known as the zygotic stage. From here the baby will implant in the uterine lining. The inner cells develop into the embryo while the outer cells will nourish your baby and become the amniotic sac and the placenta. 3.5 Weeks of Pre
gnancy
You may not even be aware that
you are pregnant, but you are! Your baby is growing very rapidly. Taking care of your body before pregnancy is vital to your health and your growing baby's health.
7.5 Week Fetus
Deve
lopmental markers include:
hand plates become present
baby size: ab
out 7-9 mm CRL by the en
d of the week.
The genital tubercle is
present, but determining gender is not possible yet!
8.5 Week Fetus
Parts of the brain start to be visible
Testes or ovaries will develop.
Spon
taneous movement begins!
Elbows are visible
Hardening of bones begin (ossification)
Toes begin to form
10 Week Fetus
Your baby is about 27-35 mm crown to
rump
length (CRL), or 1
.06-1.38 inches.
The baby weighs about 4 grams
which is like
4 paper clips.
Toes have formed.
The eyelids are beginning to fuse, and will stay closed until 25-27 weeks.
Tiny Ears have formed
Upper lip has formed.
The Tail has disappeared!
12 Week Fetus
Baby weighs about 14 grams and is approximately 3.54 inches in length.
Your baby has developed reflexes and also practice movements in the digestive tract.
You and your doctor should be able to hear your baby's heart beat at office visits!! It will sound very fast! Your risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced once you hear this sound.
16 Week Fetus
Nails are well formed,
Ears have also moved from the neck to the head.
Your baby is emptying his or her bladder every 40-45 minutes
limb movements are more coordinated.
Baby size is about 3 ounces (85 grams) and 6.3 inches (16 cms).
The gender
of baby
may be determined by ultrasound!
24 Week Fetus
Your baby is almost fully formed! Fat is beginning to form on the body
New babies do not regulate their body temperature very well. This is particularly a problem for preterm babies.
Babies born this early have some
chances of surviving with very special care. They will be in the Intensive Care Unit, probably for many weeks.
One
major issue with preterm babies is lung development. If preterm labor is det
ected early enough a steroid shot, called Betamethasone, can sometimes be given to enhance lung development.
Baby weighs in at 1 lb 5 ounces (595 grams) and 30 cms or 11.8 inches total length!
26-28 Week Fetus
The baby's veins are visible through the baby's skin. This will be rapidly changing.
One of the amazing aspects of this stage of development is that your baby can hear
you and those around you.
Your baby can hear your heartbeat, digestion, and other body functions. Your baby can so hear external no
ises. You can now feel the baby jump at a sudden noise.
The baby is aware of lightness and darkness.
The baby weighs 1 pound 12 ounces (794 grams) and measures 32.5 cms or 12.8 inches total length.
30-32 Week Fetus
The baby is very aware of you and the surroundings. The Uterus is not a dark place, but actually can be light and dark depending on the mother's environment. Sleep cycles of the baby may be distinguishable.
If you are having practice labor, (aka.Braxton Hicks Contractions), take advantage and use them to practice what you've learned in prenatal classes
Your body is preparing itself for labor.
The baby weighs about 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) and measures about
14.8 inches (37.5 cms) in length.
33-35 Week Fetus
Your little one is continuing to get bigger! Your baby is about Four pounds seven ounces (2 kilograms) and a length of 42.5 cms or 16.8 inches. The hormones from the placenta are starting to activate the milk in your breasts.
At this point the baby It is good to be aware of Labor Stages.
Labor is broken down into three
stages:
- First stage - contractions that open the cervix.
- Second stage - pushing the baby out.
- Third stage - birthing the placenta
36-39 week Fetus
Most babies will be in a head down position at this point. However, about 4% of the babies will be breech.The baby continues to grow moving down into your pelvis. One great bonus to this is you can breathe more easily; however, urinating becomes for frequent. Your doctor will probably not stop your labor if you were to start having regular contractions now.
Your baby is about five pounds two ounces (2.3 kilograms) and measures 45 cms or 17.8 inches. Although at the end of pregnancy it is harder to know the ac
tual weight. There is a rather large difference among babies.
40 week Fetus
96% of babies this far along are head down and deeply snuggled into your pelvis. The baby's immune system is still rather immature; However, the baby receives antibodies from the placenta and receives antibodies from breast milk.
The average baby will be about 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms) and 20 inches long at birth. Your baby will be judged, at birth and 5 minutes later, with an apgar score.
Most pregnancies will last past the due date, so do not be discouraged if you pass your "Due Date." The baby will come when he or she is good and ready!
