Source: bing.comCongratulations on your pregnancy! You are about to embark on a wonderful journey of bringing a new life into the world. As you eagerly await the arrival of your little one, you may be curious about what is happening inside your womb. Let’s take a look at the amazing process of baby development week by week.
Table of Contents
Week 1-2
Technically, you are not pregnant during these two weeks, as the pregnancy clock starts ticking on the first day of your period. However, during this time, your body is preparing for ovulation and fertilization.
Week 3
This is the week when fertilization usually occurs. The fertilized egg, now called a zygote, begins its journey down the Fallopian tube to the uterus where it will implant itself in the lining.
Week 4
The zygote has now become an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed. The brain, spinal cord, and heart are beginning to form.
Week 5
The embryo is now the size of an apple seed. The heart is beating and the circulatory system is starting to form. Facial features such as eyes and ears are also beginning to develop.
Week 6
The embryo is now about the size of a lentil. The arms and legs are starting to form, along with the fingers and toes. The brain continues to develop rapidly.
Week 7
The embryo is now the size of a blueberry. The eyes are moving into position and the ears are becoming more defined. The digestive and respiratory systems are also starting to form.
Week 8
The embryo is now called a fetus and is about the size of a kidney bean. The fingers and toes are fully formed and the facial features are becoming more distinct. The liver is now producing red blood cells.
Week 9
The fetus is now the size of a grape and is developing at a rapid pace. The bones are starting to harden and the muscles are becoming stronger. The reproductive organs are also starting to form.
Week 10
The fetus is now the size of a strawberry. The eyelids are forming and will close to protect the eyes until they are ready to open. The kidneys are starting to produce urine.
Week 11
The fetus is now the size of a lime. The fingers and toes have separated and the nails are starting to grow. The digestive system is starting to function as the fetus swallows and digests amniotic fluid.
Week 12
The fetus is now the size of a plum. The brain is developing rapidly and the fetus is beginning to show more coordinated movements. The vocal cords are also starting to develop.
Week 13
The fetus is now the size of a peach. The intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to the abdomen. The sex of the baby is now visible on an ultrasound.
Week 14
The fetus is now the size of a lemon. The skin is becoming more opaque and the hair and eyebrows are starting to grow. The fetus is also starting to produce hormones.
Week 15
The fetus is now the size of an apple. The facial expressions are becoming more refined and the fetus is swallowing and breathing more often. The bones are also becoming stronger.
Week 16
The fetus is now the size of an avocado. The eyes are now sensitive to light and can sense the difference between darkness and light. The muscles are becoming more coordinated.
Week 17
The fetus is now the size of a turnip. The fat is starting to accumulate under the skin, giving the fetus a more rounded appearance. The sweat glands are also starting to form.
Week 18
The fetus is now the size of a sweet potato. The senses are becoming more refined and the fetus can now hear sounds outside the womb. The fingerprints are also forming.
Week 19
The fetus is now the size of a mango. The movements are becoming more coordinated and the fetus is growing rapidly. The skin is also becoming more opaque.
Week 20
The fetus is now the size of a banana. The hair on the head is getting longer and the skin is becoming less transparent. The fetus is also starting to develop a sleep-wake cycle.
Week 21
The fetus is now the size of a carrot. The digestive system is starting to produce meconium, which will be the baby’s first bowel movement. The fetus is also starting to develop taste buds.
Week 22
The fetus is now the size of a spaghetti squash. The skin is now covered in a waxy substance called vernix, which protects the skin from the amniotic fluid. The eyes are open and can blink.
Week 23
The fetus is now the size of a grapefruit. The lungs are starting to produce surfactant, which will help the lungs expand after birth. The fetus is also starting to develop regular sleep-wake cycles.
Week 24
The fetus is now the size of a cantaloupe. The brain is developing rapidly and the fetus is becoming more responsive to external stimuli. The skin is also becoming less wrinkled.
Week 25
The fetus is now the size of a cauliflower. The eyes are now fully formed and the pupils can dilate and contract in response to light. The hair on the head is getting thicker.
Week 26
The fetus is now the size of a butternut squash. The lungs are now capable of breathing air, although they are not fully mature yet. The eyes are now starting to produce tears.
Week 27
The fetus is now the size of a head of lettuce. The brain is developing rapidly and the fetus is starting to develop more complex thoughts and emotions. The fetus is also starting to explore its surroundings by touching and grasping.
Week 28
The fetus is now the size of an eggplant. The eyes are now fully functional and the fetus is starting to develop more refined hearing abilities. The skin is becoming less red and wrinkled.
Week 29
The fetus is now the size of a small cabbage. The brain is developing rapidly and the fetus is starting to develop more complex behaviors such as hiccupping and dreaming. The immune system is also starting to develop.
Week 30
The fetus is now the size of a large cabbage. The skin is becoming less red and wrinkled, and the hair on the head is getting longer. The fetus is also starting to practice breathing movements.
Week 31
The fetus is now the size of a coconut. The brain is developing rapidly and the fetus is starting to prepare for birth by assuming a head-down position. The bones are also becoming stronger.
Week 32
The fetus is now the size of a jicama. The skin is becoming more opaque and the fetus is starting to fill out with more fat. The lungs are also continuing to mature.
Week 33
The fetus is now the size of a pineapple. The bones are continuing to harden and the fetus is starting to develop more complex movements such as yawning and stretching. The immune system is also continuing to develop.
Week 34
The fetus is now the size of a cantaloupe. The digestive system is now fully functional and the fetus is starting to practice swallowing and digesting food. The skin is also becoming less red and wrinkled.
Week 35
The fetus is now the size of a honeydew melon. The brain is developing rapidly and the fetus is starting to develop more complex thoughts and feelings. The hair on the head is getting thicker.
Week 36
The fetus is now the size of a romaine lettuce. The bones are now fully formed and the fetus is starting to develop more refined movements such as wiggling the fingers and toes. The immune system is also continuing to develop.
Week 37
The fetus is now the size of a bunch of Swiss chard. The body is becoming more proportionate and the baby is now filling out with more fat. The brain is also continuing to develop rapidly.
Week 38
The fetus is now the size of a watermelon. The bones are now fully formed and the fetus is starting to prepare for birth by assuming a head-down position. The digestive system is also fully functional.
Week 39
The fetus is now the size of a small pumpkin. The body is now filling out with more fat and the skin is becoming less red and wrinkled. The immune system is also fully functional.
Week 40
Congratulations, you have reached the end of your pregnancy! The baby is now fully developed and is the size of a large pumpkin. The brain is still developing and the baby is preparing for birth by assuming a head-down position.
In conclusion, the process of baby development week by week inside the womb is truly amazing. Your little one has gone through so many incredible changes to get to where they are today. Now, it’s time to prepare for the next chapter of your journey – bringing your baby into the world!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What can I do to support my baby’s development during pregnancy?
A: Eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest, and taking prenatal vitamins can all help support your baby’s development during pregnancy.
Q: When is the best time to start preparing for my baby’s arrival?
A: It’s never too early to start preparing for your baby’s arrival. Some good things to start thinking about include creating a birth plan, preparing the nursery, and deciding on a pediatrician.
Q: Is it normal to feel anxious during pregnancy?
A: Yes, it is completely normal to feel anxious during pregnancy. It’s a big life change and there are a lot of unknowns, but remember that you are not alone. Talk to your doctor or other supportive people in your life if you need help managing anxiety.
Q: How can I stay comfortable during pregnancy?
A: Some good ways to stay comfortable during pregnancy include wearing loose, comfortable clothing, staying hydrated, and doing gentle exercise like prenatal yoga or swimming.
Q: When should I call my doctor during pregnancy?
A: You should call your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or decreased fetal movement.