FOETAL DEVELOPMENT
Foetal Development in Week by Week development : First Trimester, Second Trimester and Third Trimester
1st TRIMESTER
At 4 weeks:
Baby's heart begins to form. The brain and spinal cord have begun to form. Arm and leg buds appear. Baby is an embryo and about one-twenty-fifth inch long.
At 8 weeks:
The baby's heart beats with a regular rhythm. Major organs and external body structures have begun to form. Fingers and toes have begun to form as well as sex organs. Eyelids have formed. The umbilical cord is clearly visible. At the end of 8 weeks, the baby is now called a fetus and looks more like a human. Baby is nearly 2.54 cm long and weighs less than 3.54 grams
At 12 weeks:
The external sex organs show if baby is a boy or girl. The nerves and muscles begin to work together and baby can make a fist. At this stage, the ultrasound MIGHT might be able to show the sex of the baby. Eyelids close to protect the developing eyes. They will not open again until the 28th week. Head growth has slowed, and your baby is much longer. Now, at about 7.62 cms long, your baby weighs almost 28.35 grams
Sonar Scan showing development at about 14 weeks
2ND TRIMESTER
At 16 weeks:
Muscle tissue and bone continue to form, creating a more complete skeleton. Almost transparent skin begins to form, while bone and muscle tissue continue to develop. Meconium) develops in the baby's intestinal tract.which will form the baby's first bowel movement. Baby starts to makesucking motions with the mouth - this is the sucking reflex. Baby reaches a length of about 10cms to 12.5 cms and weighs almost 85 grams.
At 20 weeks:
The baby becomes more active and the pregnant mother might feel slight fluttering. The baby is covered by fine, downy hair called lanugo and a waxy coating called vernixto protect the delicate skin forming underneath. Eyebrows, eyelashes, fingernails, and toenails have formed. Amazingly, r baby can even scratch itself, can hear and swallow. Now halfway through your pregnancy, your baby is about 15 cms long and weighs about 250grams
At 24 weeks:
Taste buds form on your baby's tongue, footprints and fingerprints have formed, real hair begins to grow on your baby's head, and bone marrow begins to make blood cells.
The lungs are formed, but do not yet work. Baby sleeps and wakes regularly. If the baby is a boy, his testicles begin to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. If ther baby is a girl, her uterus and ovaries are in place, and a lifetime supply of eggs have formed in the ovaries.
By now the baby has gained quite a bit of weight, and at about 30cms long, your baby weighs about 680 grams
3RD TRIMESTER
At 28 Weeks
At about this time, the baby can open the eyes and turn the head in the uterus if she notices a continuous, bright light shining from the outside. Baby can blink and the eyes now have eyelashes. Fat layers are continuing to form and bones are nearly developed, though they are still soft and pliable. The bones only harden properly until after she's born. Your baby weighs a little more than 1kg and may measure up to 38cm from top to toe.
At 32 weeks:
Baby's kicks and squirmings are forceful. The eyes can open and close and sense changes in light. Lungs are not fully formed, but practice "breathing" movements occur. The baby's body begins to store important minerals such as iron and calcium. The fine hair begins to fall off. Baby gains weight quickly and the bones are fully formed, but still soft.
Baby is about 38 to 43 cms long and weighs about 1.8 to 2 kgs
At 36 weeks:
Body fat increases.and protective waxy coating (vernix )gets thicker. As the baby has grown much bigger, there is less space to move around. Movements are less forceful, but you will feel stretches and wiggles. Your baby is about 48 cms long and weighs about 2.75kgs
Weeks 37- 40:
Baby is considered full term by the end of 37 weeks, Organs are ready to function on their own. As due date approaches, baby may turn into a head-down position for birth. Most babies "present" head down. |
