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1 CE
Month 1
The egg has been fertilized. At its earliest stage, the zygote is the size of a grain of sand. The blastocyst implants itself on the wall of the uterus and begins to draw nutrition. The woman begins experiencing hormonal reactions and stops menstruating. Between the third and fourth week, the heart begins to beat, the arms and legs begin to form, and the facial features begin to take form. -
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Month 2
The baby about an inch long and weighs no more than a peanut, 10,000 times larger than at fertilization. The placenta's lining starts developing and takes over hormone production around week 12. Brain waves are detected. Its heart bulges from its body and pumps about 20% of adult capacity. There's evidence of organs. Genitals are present but indistinguishable. By the end of this month, the baby is a fetus, its organs are present and function, still developing. -
3
Month 3
The fetus can smile, make faces, practice “breathing” amniotic fluid in/out of the lungs, and all 20 teeth are formed and waiting to develop. Its about an ounce in weight, as is the placenta. The pancreas starts to secrete insulin. This is the peak of movement for the fetus, though it can't be felt by the mother. It may change position as often as 20 times an hour even if the mother lies still. It feels the mother’s motions and rocks in the womb as the mother moves. -
4
Month 4
the baby is about eight inches tall from head to toe. Its movements can be felt by its mother and it can suck its thumb. Fingernails are well-formed and need to be trimmed at birth because they are so long. It is emptying its bladder every 40-45 minutes. The placenta is fully established. The umbilical cord is attached to the placenta, not the mother, and serves to provide baby with the needed nutrients for the rapid growth the baby is now experiencing. Fingerprints are now evident. -
5
Month 5
Its weight increases to around 15 ounces by the end of this month. Hearing is acute and activity continues to increase as the baby swims in the amniotic fluid. Its body shifts to a head-down position in preparation for birth in a few months. Eyebrows are developed. Lanugo, begins to appear on its body, sometimes remaining after birth. A creamy white substance clings to the baby’s hair and in creases of the skin. This substance is sometimes seen after birth. -
6
Month 6
By now the baby has gained another pound. Its hand coordination has increased and the baby can now move the thumb in opposite direction to the fingers. Eyes are now open though the baby is still in the darkness in the womb. Little deposits of fat, which retain heat, begin to form. The uterus allows some light to be seen so the baby begins to distinguish between lightness and darkness. -
7
Month 7
Its skin is wrinkled and will stay this way until a few weeks after birth. Its eyelashes are developing and fat continues to deposit under the skin. If male, his testes will probably begin descending. Babies born at this time have a good chance of survival with help from medical technology. Its beginning to regulate its body temperature and it will always be warmer than the mother. The mother may begin having contractions, to prepare for labor. The baby weighs two-four pounds. -
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Month 8
Baby’s irises can dilate and contract in response to light; it weighs about 4-6 pounds. Sleep patterns are more differentiated at the end of this month. Its sleep, awake, and actively awake, and crying states become recognizable and will continue to be characteristic in the its behavior weeks after birth. Its body is now producing a chemical to help it breathe after birth. The surfactant coats the alveoli in the lungs. Babies born after this week have fewer breathing problems at birth. -
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Month 9
It weighs 5-7 pounds and is about 20 inches long, and puts on about 1/2 a pound/week. All organ systems are completing development for birth. The baby is head down and deeply snuggled into the pelvis. The immune system is immature and it receives antibodies from the placenta and will continue receiving antibodies through breast milk after birth. Most lanugo has fallen off. The placenta is about 1/8 the size of the baby. The umbilical cord will be about the same length as the baby.
