Source: bing.comPregnancy is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and magical experiences of a woman’s life. The time spent with your baby inside your womb is a journey of growth and development for the little one. From the moment of conception until birth, the baby undergoes a remarkable transformation. In this article, we will cover the baby’s development in the womb week wise, so you can get a better understanding of what’s happening inside.
Table of Contents
Week 1-2: The Beginning
Week 1 is the time of conception when the sperm meets the egg. Once fertilization occurs, the cells begin to divide and form a cluster of cells that will eventually become the embryo. By the end of the second week, the fertilized egg has implanted itself in the lining of the uterus.
Week 3-4: The Heart Beats
The third week is when the embryo starts to grow, and the primitive streak forms, which will become the baby’s spinal cord. By the fourth week, the baby’s heart starts to beat, and the limbs begin to form. At this stage, the baby is about the size of a poppy seed.
Week 5-6: The Facial Features Form
During the fifth week, the baby’s brain, spinal cord, and nervous system begin to develop. By the end of the week, the baby’s facial features start to form, including the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. By the sixth week, the baby’s arms and legs have grown, and the fingers and toes begin to form.
Week 7-8: The Baby Moves
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a kidney bean, and the brain and nervous system are continuing to develop. The baby’s movements become more coordinated, and the organs begin to function. By the eighth week, the baby’s fingers and toes are fully formed, and the limbs are long enough to move around.
Week 9-10: The Baby Can Suck and Swallow
During the ninth week, the baby’s teeth buds begin to form, and the ears move to their final position. The baby can suck and swallow, and the tongue and palate are forming. By the tenth week, the baby’s eyelids close, and the fingers and toes are no longer webbed.
Week 11-12: The Baby Can Stretch and Yawn
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a lime, and the baby’s body is becoming more proportionate. The baby can stretch and yawn, and the digestive system begins to function. By the end of the twelfth week, the baby’s sex can be determined, and the baby starts to produce urine.
Week 13-14: The Baby’s Voice Box Develops
During the thirteenth week, the baby’s face becomes more human-like, and the baby’s bones start to harden. The baby’s voice box develops, and the vocal cords start to form. By the fourteenth week, the baby’s hair starts to grow, and the baby can make facial expressions.
Week 15-16: The Baby Can Hear
At this stage, the baby is about the size of an avocado, and the baby’s movements are becoming more coordinated. The baby can hear sounds from the outside world, and the eyes can move back and forth. By the end of the sixteenth week, the baby’s skin becomes more opaque, and the baby can grasp objects.
Week 17-18: The Baby Has a Sense of Taste
During the seventeenth week, the baby’s fat layers begin to form, and the baby’s bones are getting harder. The baby has a sense of taste and can swallow amniotic fluid. By the eighteenth week, the baby’s nervous system is continuing to develop, and the baby can blink.
Week 19-20: The Baby Is Covered in Vernix
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a mango, and the baby’s movements are becoming more frequent. The baby is covered in vernix, a waxy substance that protects the skin from the amniotic fluid. By the end of the twentieth week, the baby’s organ systems are becoming more mature, and the baby can hear the mother’s voice.
Week 21-22: The Baby Responds to Touch
During the twenty-first week, the baby’s taste buds are developing, and the baby is starting to produce meconium, the baby’s first bowel movement. The baby responds to touch, and the brain is developing rapidly. By the twenty-second week, the baby’s eyes are open, and the baby can see.
Week 23-24: The Baby’s Lungs Develop
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a grapefruit, and the baby’s movements are becoming even stronger. The baby’s lungs are developing, and the baby can breathe small amounts of amniotic fluid. By the end of the twenty-fourth week, the baby’s eyelashes and eyebrows are growing, and the baby can distinguish between light and dark.
Week 25-26: The Baby Has a Regular Sleep Cycle
During the twenty-fifth week, the baby’s skin becomes less translucent, and the baby’s immune system is developing. The baby has a regular sleep cycle, and the baby can hiccup. By the twenty-sixth week, the baby’s lungs are producing surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs expand and contract.
Week 27-28: The Baby’s Brain Develops Rapidly
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a cauliflower, and the baby’s brain is developing rapidly. The baby’s eyes are fully formed, and the baby can blink. By the end of the twenty-eighth week, the baby’s sense of smell is developing, and the baby’s body fat is increasing.
Week 29-30: The Baby’s Bones Harden
During the twenty-ninth week, the baby’s body fat increases, and the baby’s movements become more restricted. The baby’s bones are hardening, and the baby’s skin is becoming smoother. By the thirtieth week, the baby’s taste buds are fully developed, and the baby’s fingernails are growing.
Week 31-32: The Baby’s Brain Develops More
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a pineapple, and the baby’s brain is developing even more. The baby’s movements are becoming more coordinated, and the baby’s lungs are almost fully developed. By the end of the thirty-second week, the baby’s eyes can focus, and the baby’s body is becoming chubbier.
Week 33-34: The Baby Continues to Grow
During the thirty-third week, the baby’s bones are fully formed, and the baby’s movements become more frequent. The baby’s immune system is developing, and the baby can regulate its body temperature. By the thirty-fourth week, the baby’s digestive system is fully developed, and the baby’s lungs are ready to breathe air.
Week 35-36: The Baby’s Lungs Are Mature
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a honeydew melon, and the baby’s lungs are mature. The baby’s movements are becoming more restricted, and the baby’s head is starting to engage in the pelvis. By the end of the thirty-sixth week, the baby’s immune system is strong, and the baby’s hair is getting longer.
Week 37-38: The Baby Is Full-Term
During the thirty-seventh week, the baby’s weight is increasing, and the baby’s movements are slowing down. The baby’s organs are fully functional, and the baby’s brain is developing rapidly. By the thirty-eighth week, the baby is considered full-term, and the baby’s lungs are fully developed.
Week 39-40: The Baby Is Ready to Be Born
At this stage, the baby is about the size of a watermelon, and the baby is ready to be born. The baby’s movements are minimal, and the baby’s head is engaged in the pelvis. By the end of the fortieth week, the baby is fully developed, and the baby is ready to take its first breath.
In conclusion, the journey of a baby’s development in the womb is nothing short of miraculous. From the moment of conception to birth, the baby undergoes an incredible transformation. It’s awe-inspiring to think about what’s happening inside your body as you carry your little one. So cherish this special time, and look forward to holding your precious bundle of joy in your arms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. When does the baby’s heart start to beat?
The baby’s heart starts to beat around the fourth week of pregnancy.
Q. When can the baby hear sounds?
The baby can hear sounds from the outside world at around the fifteenth to sixteenth week of pregnancy.
Q. When is the baby considered full-term?
The baby is considered full-term at around the thirty-eighth week of pregnancy.
Q. When can the baby open and close its eyes?
The baby can open and close its eyes at around the twenty-second week of pregnancy.
Q. When does the baby’s sense of taste develop?
The baby’s sense of taste develops at around the seventeenth week of pregnancy.