Fetal Development Week By Week
You've just discovered you're pregnant, congratulations! You will no doubt be spending the next couple of months wondering about fetal development week by week. What many women don't know is that fetal development begins before you even know you're pregnant. During the first week allotted to your pregnancy, you're not actually pregnant. Conception began two weeks after the start of your menstrual cycle so it was counted as part of your pregnancy, even though you weren't actually pregnant at the time. By the fifth week of pregnancy, or the third week after conception, your baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other vital organs will begin to form. By the end of this week, your baby is no bigger than the tip of a pen. As your baby starts to develop, it's important that you eat well so that both you and your new baby will get the nutrients you need. Eating during pregnancy is more than just increasing what you eat, it's considering what you're eating and watching your pregnacy weight gain.
Growth of your new baby becomes very rapid during the sixth week of pregnancy. The neural tube along your baby's back is starting close and its heart is beginning to pump blood. Facial features will also start to form and small buds that will soon become arms and legs appear. By week seven, your baby's brain and face are developing quickly and eye lenses are starting to take shape. It's important that you not consume empty calories during fetal development week by week. The food you eat should contain protein, calcium, iron and essential vitamins such as A, C and B12. By the eighth week of pregnancy your baby will begin to move, even though you can't feel it yet. By week nine, bones are beginning to develop.
By the 10th week of pregnancy, your baby's neck forms and the eyelids are able to close, protecting its delicate eyes. By week 11, your baby is officially a fetus and by the end of the week you will be able to tell if it's a girl or a boy. 12 weeks into the fetal development week by week, your baby's face has a human profile and they are starting to form fingernails. By week 13, your baby is almost three inches long and can start to suck its thumb. At week 14 your baby's bones are getting harder and they are starting to develop hair. During week 15, your baby's bones and muscles continue to grow, it can move its arms and make a fist. In week 16, your baby will start to sleep and even dream and has learned how to breathe. By week 17 your uterus is the size of a cantaloupeand your baby is starting to develop fat under its skin that will keep it warm after birth.
By week 18 your baby will have recognizable active and rest periods, they can hear sounds and may even be startled by loud noises. By 19 weeks, you will start to feel small flutter kicks as your baby moves. Week 20 is an important time in fetal development week by week as sensory development like taste, touch, smell and hearing are developing. By week 21 your baby will start to gain weight steadily, you may also notice that they respond to certain types of music or the sound of your voice. In week 22 taste buds start to form on your baby's tongue. By week 23 your baby can turn from side to side and even upside down. Skin pigment is now forming as well. By week 24, most mothers should begin light exercises to help keep fit and allow for an easier delivery. Your baby will gain three ounces this week in muscle, bone mass and organs. In week 25 your baby's brain is growing rapidly and the hands are fully developed. Your uterus is now the size of a soccer ball.
By week 26 your baby's eyes will start to open and close and its hands are very active. Touching and playing with your baby is possible now as they may respond to your touch through your belly. By week 27 you're now in your third trimester and your baby's hearing continuesto develop. By week 28 the hair on your baby's head is clearly visible. If you've been following a nutritious diet your total weight gain should be around 17 to 24 pounds. By week 29 your baby can taste and even respond to pain. As you enter week 30, your baby will start to put on weight in preparation for birth. They can also control their own body temperature now. In week 31 your baby's lungs and digestive tract are almost fully formed and their eyes can respond to light and darkness. In week 32 your baby will start to sleep more and have less room to move around. Half of your weight gain will now go directly to the baby. By week 33 your baby weighsabout 4 pounds and you will start to gain a pound a week until birth. It's important not to skip meals or stop eating as your weight increases since both you and your baby need the healthy calories.
By week 34 your baby may have turned to a head down position and you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. By week 35 your baby's reflexes are coordinated and the lungs are almost fully developed. In week 36 your baby's body gets chubby as fat deposits are stored and they may drop into the birth canal and will remain in this position until birth. By week 37 you are considered to be 'at term' which means if labor should start, a doctor would not stop it. By week 38 your baby's skin is smooth and its fetal development week by week is complete. Your weight should not increase much from this point. At week 39 the average baby weighs about 7 pound and is restricted in their movements as there is no space left in the womb. At week 40 you have reached your time of delivery. Your baby's legs will be tucked up to its chest and its knees will be against its nose. Labor contractions could begin at any time.