Fetal Development

  • Week 1

    Week 1
    There is no baby yet but there will be soon. There is just many sperm and one egg patiently waiting at their starting gates.
  • Week 2

    Week 2
    Ovulation is occurring during this week. Sperm are already swimming around waiting for the egg.
  • Week 3

    Week 3
    Fertilization has occurred in one of the fallopian tubes. It is still early in the pregnancy but the "winning" sperm has fertilized the egg. Two sets of nuclei come together now being called a zygote, where the baby's gender, hair color, etc. are determined.
  • Week 4

    Week 4
    The zygote, which is the fertilized egg, implants itself onto the uterus. The developing baby is now the size of a pinhead. The umbilical cord and placenta begin to form as well.
  • Week 5

    Week 5
    During week 5, the embryonic stage begins. The embryo grows from about 2mm to doubling more than its size of 4-5mm. The embryo begins to recceive oxygen and nutrients through the placenta.
  • Week 6

    Week 6
    The embryo has now grown to up to 8mm and its heart is beginning to beat. The brain is also forming, splitting into 5 parts.
  • Week 7

    Week 7
    The body begins to form. The brain, arms, and face are developing and its head is about 1/3 the size of the entire fetus.
  • week 8

    week 8
    Starting at the eighth week, subtle movements are present while the body is starting to straighten. webbed fingers and toes begin to form.
  • week 9

    week 9
    The fingers and toes are not webbed any longer. Finally, the heart has fully developed. The arms and legs are starting to develop bones.
  • Week 10

    Week 10
    It is now a fetus!!! The fetus' length is now almost 1 1/4 inches.
  • week 11

    week 11
    By now, almost all of the organs and body structures have developed and are functioning. The fetus can sigh, move, and also even suck its thumb. It is about 2 inches long.
  • Week 12

    Week 12
    The fetus' length is now about 3 inches and the size of its head is slowly proportioning itself to the rest of its body.
  • week 13

    week 13
    The fetus has grown up to be the size of about an average size goldfish! Indivdual features are starting to show. It can now secrete and excrete urine! ew!
  • week 14

    week 14
    By week 14, the baby is almost 4 ad a half inches. Its tiny organs and muscles are all functioning therefore being able to show facial expressions like a smile.
  • week 15

    week 15
    The head is covered by thin soft hair called lanugo. The baby has now reached 5 inches in length.
  • week 16

    week 16
    As the baby's bones are beginning to harden, it is more common to feel fetal movements. By now, the baby could fit in the palm of your hand.
  • week 17

    week 17
    The baby has reched 6 inches and weighs about 4 ounces. The baby is covered in a layer of lanugo and brown fat, which helps in heat generation is deposited.
  • week 18

    week 18
    The fetus now weighs about 8 ounces and is 6 inches tall. The baby might constantly start to want to change positions like roll over or cross its legs. Also, teeth have begun to form!
  • week 19

    week 19
    The baby weighs 8 and a half ounces and 6 inches long. If the gender is female, then the baby's ovaries will begin to form eggs.
  • week 20

    week 20
    10 inches in length!! Immunites from the mom to the fetus are being transferred at this point.
  • week 21

    week 21
    The baby's goal from this point on is to put on weight. Urination occurs and the baby drinks amniotic fluid to keep hydrated. Its eyelids are still shut but the eyes are very active.
  • week 22

    week 22
    The fetus is now 11 inches!! Almost one pound. The baby's brain is about to enter a phase of extremely rapid growth.
  • week 23

    week 23
    By now, the uterus and ovaries have developed. The eyes are developed but are still shut and lack pigmentation.
  • week 24

    week 24
    Real hair replaces the lanugo on the fetus' head. It is 12 inches long by now.
  • week 25

    week 25
    The baby is now more than 13 inches in length. Pretty soon he/she will gain even more weight. The baby has developed a regular active and inactive period schedule.
  • week 26

    week 26
    The eyes are finally starting to open!!! Also, the fetus almost weighs 2 pounds.
  • week 27

    week 27
    By now, if the baby were to be born prematurely, he/she would have about an 85 percent chance of surviving. However, he/she would not be able to breath by itself just yet.
  • week 28

    week 28
    The fetus' bones are still fragile but are almost fully developed. It senses of tastes and smell have also developed.
  • week 29

    week 29
    The baby is two and a half punds by now. It is speculated that babies at this point can dream as well!
  • week 30

    week 30
    The baby has doubled and even tripled in size compared to the last six months. The baby's length is about 16 inches.
  • week 31

    week 31
    The fetus continues to put on weight faster than in length weighing at about two and a half to three and a half pounds. The baby begins to slowly run out of room.
  • week 32

    week 32
    All five senses have now developed! The fetus pratcices breathing motions for its arrival out of the womb.
  • week 33

    week 33
    The fetus from now on gains about eight ounces per week up until its arrival. The baby has probably now moved to its head down position.
  • week 34

    week 34
    The length of the fetus is about 18 inches long. The babys brain is forming many connections allowing it to learn in the womb.
  • week 35

    week 35
    The fetus immune and nervus system are still developing. However, everything else is completely done forming.
  • week 36

    week 36
    The babys full length is 20 and a half inches. The movements only begin to increase.
  • week 37

    week 37
    The fetus looks very much like a newborn at this point. It measures from 20-21 inches in length.
  • week 38

    week 38
    The baby is fully developed. Its movements are limited now due to the small space it has by now.
  • week 39

    week 39
    The baby weighs 6-10 pound depending on the baby. It is now ready to be born.
  • week 40

    week 40
    The baby is fully formed and redy to be born.