Pregnancy

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Related Programs