Pregnancy

See how your baby is growing even before he or she is born!

Month 1

  • The ball of cells, called a blastocyst, forms.  It contains the DNA from you and your partner that will determine your baby’s sex and eye color, as well as other traits.
  • Little buds appear, that will grow into your baby’s arms and legs.
  • Your baby’s heart and lungs start to form.
  • The neural tube begins to form and will become your baby’s brain and spinal cord.
  • By 4 weeks the ball of cells becomes an embryo and is about a ¼ inch long.

Month 2

  • All your baby’s major body organs, such as the heart, lungs and brain, are starting to form, but are not fully developed.
  • Your baby’s heart will start to beat.
  • The placenta grows in your uterus and provides food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.  This will continue throughout your pregnancy.
  • Your baby’s arms and legs are growing. Your baby has tiny fingers and toes. The eyelids form, but are still closed shut.

Month 3

  • Your baby is starting to look more like a human and is now called a “fetus”.
  • Vital organ, such as the brain, kidney, intestines and liver, are starting to function.
  • Fingernails and toenails are starting to form.
  • You will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time (around 10-12 weeks).
  • By the end of the third month, your baby is about 2 ½ inches long and weighs about an ounce.

Month 4

  • Your baby is moving, kicking and swallowing, and can taste strong flavors in the amniotic fluid.
  • Your baby can make facial expressions and may find and suck his thumb.
  • The skin is pink and transparent.
  • The placenta is fully formed.
  • Your baby can see light, even though the eyelids are still closed.

Month 5

  • Your baby is moving from side to side and sometimes head over heels. You will start to feel the baby move.
  • Your baby’s sex may be detectable by ultrasound (usually between 16-20 weeks).
  • Your baby can hear your heartbeat and other sounds from outside your body.
  • Your baby goes to sleep and wakes up.
  • By the end of the fifth month, your baby is about 8-12 inches long and weighs 1/2 to 1 pound.

Month 6

  • The skin on your baby is wrinkled and red. There is fine, soft hair covering the skin.
  • Your baby’s sense of movement is developing, so she can feel the motion if you dance.
  • Your baby’s hearing is improving.
  • Your baby’s eyelids are beginning to open. 
  • By the end of the sixth month, your baby is about a foot long and weighs just over a pound.

Month 7

  • Your baby is practicing breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid.
  • Your baby can open and close his eyes.
  • Your baby kicking and stretching.
  • Eyelashes are forming. Your baby’s eyes are open and starting to blink.  Eyesight continues to improve.

Month 8

  • Your baby’s brain and lungs are continuing to grow at a rapid pace.
  • The fetus may be too big to move around as much, but you may still feel him kick hard and roll around.
  • You may see the shape of a heel or elbow on your belly.
  • Cute little fingernails and toenails have gown.
  • The bones of your baby’s head are soft and flexible, which will make it easier for her to fit through the birth canal.
  • By the end of the eighth month, your baby is about 18 inches long and weighs about 4 – 5 pounds.
  • You should about one pound a week this month.

Month 9

  • Your baby’s lungs are able to work on their own.
  • Your baby gains about ¼ to 1/2 pound each week.
  • The baby moves into position to be born, usually with head-down and resting lower in your belly. 
  • At 37 weeks, your baby is considered to be full term, however, studies have shown that your baby will do better if born after 39 weeks.
  • By the end of the ninth month, your baby is ready for the outside world.  The average weight of a newborn is about 7 ½ pounds.  The average length is about 20 inches.

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