YES this is a BABY – Not a Fetus Call a Baby what you may, BUT, these images will never
leave your mind. "My Humble Opinion"
Weeks
-
OneThroughFour
• Ovulation occurs - The time is right; now you just
need this egg to be fertilized!
• Conception occurs - Did you know that during your
pregnancy that your uterus will increase its capacity by
1000 times?!
• Gender is determined - Immediately upon fertilization
your little one is set as a boy or a girl. Ladies, this
is one that you can't take credit for since it is up to
the sperm to determine the sex of your baby. Sperm
carries either a "X" (girl) chromosome or a "Y" (boy)
chromosome. (*Hint:* You will have to hold off on
picking out the pink or blue until at least the second
trimester when the gender will be visible via
ultrasound.)
• Implantation - Some spotting (also known as
implantation bleeding) may occur about 10 - 14 days
after conception. You may believe you are starting your
period but generally this bleeding is extremely light
and lasts only a day or so.
• Neural tube forms - It will develop into the nervous
system (Brain, spinal cord, hair, and skin). Already
your baby has the foundation for thought, senses,
feeling, and more! • Heart and primitive circulatory system rapidly form -
While still in its beginning stages, this is the very
life support system that will carry your child
throughout his or her life.1st Week of Pregnancy From Conception
After the fertilization, the cell begins to divide.
It takes about 4 days for the impregnated egg to reach
the uterus. At present, your baby is what is known as
a blastocyte (or Blastula), a mass of about 100 cells.
The external part of this
blastocyte
will become the placenta. The internal part will
become the embryo.
2nd Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Baby's Development:
The embryo is now composed of about 150 cells.
They are divided in three layers that will each develop
in an independent manner. THREE LAYERS
The internal layer is called the endoderm (or
endoblast). This will become the respiratory and
digestive system as well as certain glands including the
liver, pancreas, thyroid and thymus.
The middle layer (the mesoderm) will be busy! It
will become bones and cartilage, the circulatory system
(heart & blood vessels), the inner skin layer (dermis),
muscles, excretory system, loins & genitalia and also
the outer covering of the internal organs.
The outer layer (ectoderm or ectoblast) will provide the
brain & nervous system along with the epidermis (skin,
hair, nails).
During this second week, the embryo floats freely in the
uterus and survives thanks to the secretions of the
uterine lining.
3rd Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Baby's Development:
At the end of the third week, the embryo is well fixed
in the wall of the uterus. Your future baby is no
longer a fertilized egg, it has become an embryo.
The brain and the backbone begin to form.
The external covering changes also and begins to start
the process of creating the placenta and the amniotic
cavity (which will surround the placenta).
The heart is still being formed, but it already beats!
4th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Baby's Development:
At the end of the first month, the embryo looks like a
small prehistoric creature (or something out of
'Alien').
Little buds that will become the arms appear on the 26th
day. At the 28th day, buds appear that will become
the legs.
On average, the baby is about 3mm from coccyx to the tip
of the head (the size of a large grain of rice). In
fact, on the 21st day the embryo is 1.5mm and by the
28th day it will be 5mm.
Baby's Profile: Size: - 5 mm
5th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
• First heartbeats begin - If you have an early
ultrasound you may not be able to recognize this tiny
being as a baby, but there is no mistaking what it feels
like seeing your child's heartbeat on that screen. That
rhythmic beat is echoed in your own heart.
• Umbilical cord develops - This is your baby's lifeline
in utero. It bears the responsibility of pumping in
oxygen, removing waste, and supplying the necessary
nutrients for the remainder of your pregnancy.
• Blood is now pumping - All four heart chambers are now
functioning, insuring your baby's body will receive all
it needs over not only the remainder of your pregnancy
but throughout life.
• Most other organs begin to develop - Your infant's
lungs start to appear, along with her brain. Already
your little one is preparing for a quest for lifelong
learning!
• Arm and leg buds appear - While they may not appear to
be much at this stage it is ok to dream of the future.
Just imagine your ballerina twirling and jumping around
your kitchen floor. Or perhaps you will have the
precocious boy that throws the perfect pitch -- right
through the neighbor's window.
6th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
The arms and legs continue to develop - These limbs are
stretching out more and more. Later on you will be
feeling those feet and elbows up close and personal
right in your bladder!
·
Brain is growing well - Did you know that over the
course of the remaining months that your baby's brain
will develop over 100 billion neurons? This is just the
beginning!
·
Lenses of the eyes appear - If you could catch a glimpse
inside, you would notice your baby's appearance becoming
increasing like a newborn's.
·
Nostrils are formed - The position of the nose seems to
shift into its proper place as well. Soon, the nerves
running from the nose to the brain appear.
·
Intestines grow - Initially these are actually located
outside the baby's body within the umbilical cord.
·Pancreas - Your baby is now equipped to deal with
digestive enzymes and take on processing the insulin and
glucagons the body needs to function.
7th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Twins
·
Elbows form - Again, taking a peek inside you could see
your baby's fascination with bending and flexing. Later
you will swear you can enlist your child as the star of
the next "Karate Kid" movie!
·
Fingers start to develop - These digits often become
your baby's first toy!
·
Feet start to appear with tiny notches for the toes - It
is fascinating that at less than a half inch, your
little guy (or gal) already is leaving "footprints" on
your heart!
·
Ears eyes and nose start to appear - Although they may
resemble an alien life form, these all "shift" soon
enough into a more normal appearance.
·
Intestines start to form in the umbilical cord - Did you
know that initially the intestines are not formed inside
your baby's body?
·
Teeth begin to develop under the gums - Thankfully,
right now you won't be dealing with teething pain!
8th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
48mm
·
Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this
week your baby will have already completed 1/5th of the
journey 'til his birthday!
·
The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The
position is more "newborn" like already!
·
The tongue begins to develop
·
Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the
abdomen.
·
Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this
little one is growing inside and out by leaps and
bounds!
·
The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and
short
·
Baby's length (crown to rump) is 0.61 inch (1.6cm) and
weight is 0.04 ounce (1gm)
9th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Baby has begun movement - While still too small for you
to feel, your little one is wriggling, shifting, and
dancing already! Makes you almost wish for a window to
peek in whenever you want!
·
Most joints are formed now - and trust that your little
one is practicing bending and flexing.
·
Fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in
the palm of its hand - This is amazing to see! At only
nine weeks, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may
observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she
can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes,
ears and nose!
·
Fingerprints are already evident in the skin
·Average size this week -- length 0.9 inch (2.3cm),
weight 0.07 ounce (2gm)
10th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Baby is now called a fetus in "medical terms". You,
however, may have chosen the name "peanut," "angel,"
"jumping bean" or simply "miracle."
·The most critical part of your infant's development is
complete. Now you are headed into a period of rapid
growth.
·
While a bit strange to envision, your baby's head is now
about half its length - Soon the rest of the body's
growth will catch up but this area is prepared to keep
up with the rapid brain development!
·
Eyelids fuse shut and irises begin to develop - Eye
color is also determined by this point.
·
Placenta begins to function this week or next - The
placenta is the organ responsible for both the provision
of nutrients along with the removal of waste to keep
your baby growing strong!
·Your baby will be about 1.22
inch long (3.1cm) and weigh 0.14 ounce (4gm) at the end
of this week
11th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Nearly all structures and organs are formed and
beginning to function.
·
Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how
incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this
point.
·
Hair and nails begin to grow
·The genitals begin to
take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be
just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can
show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been
dreaming of pink or blue?
·
Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin
to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water,
helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's
nestled within your womb.
·
The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice
contractions that digest food.
·Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs
0.25 ounce (7gm). 12th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Vocal
cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to
be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant
will use these immediately following the moment of
birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!
·
Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are
you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green
eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the
gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!
·
Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head
·
Intestines move farther in to your child's body
·
His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for
cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing
needed chemicals, this is an important event!
·
The pancreas begins to produce insulin
·
Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a
whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49
ounce (14gm)
13th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs
around 0.81 ounce (23gm) - This is about the same weight
as 4 quarters.
·
If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he
begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements
·
Eyes and ears continue to move and develop
·
Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is
resting on his chest
·
Her hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may
find it comforting to start playing with her fist.
·
At this point all nourishment is received from the
placenta
·On your next doctor visit
you should be able to hear heartbeat with a Doppler by
now - (Don't worry though if you can't, the heartbeat
can be confirmed through U/S). Your baby's heartbeat is
much rapider than your own and may remind you of the
race towards birth that he is running!
14th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Thyroid gland has matured and your baby begins producing
hormones which will be used throughout his or her life.
·
In boys, the prostate gland develops
·
In girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen to the
pelvis
·
Your little one may have learned to suck his thumb by
this point!
·
Your child's bones are getting harder and stronger by
the day!
·
Your baby's skin is very transparent still
·
Lanugo (very fine hair) covers the baby's body and will
continue to grow until 26 weeks gestational age -
Generally this will be shed prior to birth. Its purpose
is to help protect baby's skin while in all that water!
·Your baby is 3.42 inches
(8.7cm) long and weighs about 1.52 ounces (43 grams) -
approximately the weight of a letter!
15th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
You may begin to feel some fluttering movements as
baby kicks, flails, twists and turns (but don't panic if
you don't yet). She can also grasp, squint, frown,
grimace and maybe suck her thumb!
·
Your baby's legs have grown longer than the arms and the
body is now longer than the head.
·
And you'll be happy to note that he is moving those arms
and legs often!
·
His skin is very thin -- so thin blood vessel are
visible. It's covered by a fine, soft layer of hair
called lanugo. Lanugo comes from a Latin word meaning
"down." This hair is thought to help insulate your
little boy.
·
The three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to
harden. The auditory centers in your baby's brain
haven't developed yet, so she might not really
understand what you say but her hearing capacity is in
the process of developing.
·
Fingernails and toenails are growing.
·
Eyebrows are beginning to grow and even the hair his
head is sprouting. It will probably change color and
texture after birth.
·
All this and your little one is an amazing 3.98 inches
(10.1cm) long and may weigh 2.47 ounces (70gm).
16th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Fat begins to form underneath skin, providing your
baby with insulation for the coming months.
·
Did you know that both baby and placenta are now about
the same size?
·
Your little one has reached 4.57 inches (11.6cm) and
approximately 3.53 ounces (100gm).
·
His head and neck are held straighter now.
·
This is a week of "mights!" You might hear the tiny
thumps of his heartbeat with an external monitor now.
The genitals are developed sufficiently that an
experienced sonographer might be able to determine if
your baby is a boy or a girl.
·
Her heart is pumping as much as 6 gallons of blood a day
and beats at a rate about double your heart rate.
·
If you could take a peek inside, you would witness your
child's reflexes in action! (Sucking, swallowing and
blinking are now evident.) She is probably even
hiccuping even though you don't feel it yet!
·
Your baby has learned to breathe! This is apparent from
the regular movements of his chest. Isn't it amazing
that he is able to breathe "underwater," inhaling and
exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid? These actions
help the lungs to develop and grow.
By week 17, your baby weighs about 4.97 ounces
(140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.
·
He or she has a much more normal "human" appearance now.
She holds her head more erect and her body and limbs are
longer in proportion to her head.
·
Pads are forming on his tiny fingertips and toes. Soon
those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
·
Her eyes are looking forward now, but they are still
firmly closed.
·
Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive
secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating
in the bowel. This black gooey substance will become
your baby's first poop!
·
The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger and
continues to rush blood and nutrients to your growing
baby.
·
If your child is male the prostate begins to develop.
·
Her skeleton is transforming from cartilage to bone. The
bones remain flexible to make the journey through the
birth canal easier.
18th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material)
forms on baby's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly
pigmented hair covering the body and limbs); both
serving to protect your baby's skin during the months in
water.
·
Your placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby.
Don't forget those prenatal vitamins!
·
Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs.
He'll be putting these lungs to good use in just a few
months!
·
Her vocal chords are formed. She goes through the
motions of crying but without air she doesn't make a
sound.
·
Features of your baby's heart, including ventricles and
chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound.
·Your baby measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week
and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm).
19th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
Your baby has the same awake and sleep patterns of a
newborn. He has a favorite position for sleep and
recognizable active and rest periods.
·
Throughout baby's body, nerves are being coated with a
fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the
nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
·
Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted
and continues to grow.
·
The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the
next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will
begin to form behind the milk teeth.
·
If baby is female the uterus starts to develop. If
you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian
tubes are in place.
·
If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and
recognizable.
·
Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her
kidneys are making urine.
·
Your little one's size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm)
and 8.47 ounces (240gm). 20th Week of Pregnancy From Conception
You're half way there!
·
The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have
slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
·
The baby's heart grows stronger. Find a quiet place, lay
flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding
your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be
able to distinguish the two heartbeats!
·
His legs are reaching their relative size. With the
increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will
start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
·
Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby
now. These immune cells will protect her from viruses
you've already had for up to six months after birth!
·
The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and
touch are now developing in specialized areas of the
brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells
grow larger and make more complex connections.
·Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds.
Amazingly, she can actually hear noises outside of the
womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby
becomes accustomed to during her development stages
often are calming after birth.
·
If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to
develop. She has approximately six million eggs in her
ovaries. About one million will remain at birth.
·
Baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around
10.58 ounces (300g).
21st Week of Pregnancy From Conception
White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes
(or white blood cells) form our body's defense system.
They help fight infections and diseases.
·
Your little one's skin has changed from translucent to
become more opaque.
·
Your infant's tongue is fully formed. If you were able
to peek you might catch your son or daughter practicing
giving you a raspberry!
·
If your baby is a girl, her womb and vagina are formed.
Unlike males, females have a limited supply of eggs in
their lifetime. At this point your daughter will have 6
million eggs. This amount decreases to approximately one
million by birth.
·
Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in
amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid
and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good
practice for his digestive system!
·
Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some
research suggests that baby sets her internal clock to
match the outside world's even before birth! Your eating
and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise
serve as her signals.
·
Length is now measured crown to heel.
·Baby measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs
nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).
