Becoming a parent is an exciting journey, and watching your little one grow and develop week by week is a wonder to behold. Every baby develops at their own pace, but there are general milestones that they will reach as they grow. Here is a breakdown of how a baby develops week by week.

Week 1:

In the first week, your baby is still considered an embryo. At this stage, the fertilized egg is still dividing and implanting itself into the uterus. You may not even know that you are pregnant yet!

Week 2:

During the second week, the embryo continues to grow and develop. The placenta begins to form, which will provide your baby with the nutrients they need to grow. You may start to experience some early pregnancy symptoms, such as fatigue and tender breasts.

Source: bing.com

Week 3:

By week three, your baby’s brain, spinal cord, and heart are starting to form. They are still tiny, only about the size of a grain of rice, but they are growing rapidly. You may start to experience some morning sickness and cravings.

Week 4:

In week four, your baby’s major organs begin to form. The heart is beating, and the digestive and respiratory systems are starting to develop. You may start to feel more tired and have mood swings.

Week 5:

By week five, your baby is about the size of a sesame seed. Their eyes, ears, and nose are starting to form, and their limbs are beginning to bud. You may start to experience some bloating and constipation.

Week 6:

During week six, your baby’s brain is developing rapidly. They are starting to move around, although you won’t feel anything yet. You may start to experience more pronounced morning sickness and fatigue.

Week 7:

By week seven, your baby is about the size of a blueberry. Their facial features are becoming more defined, and their arms and legs are starting to move. You may start to experience heartburn and indigestion.

Week 8:

In week eight, your baby is about the size of a kidney bean. They are starting to develop their own unique fingerprints, and their major organs are almost fully formed. You may start to experience some dizziness and headaches.

Week 9:

During week nine, your baby is about the size of a grape. They are starting to develop their reproductive organs, although it may be too early to tell the sex of the baby yet. You may start to experience some back pain and breast growth.

Week 10:

By week ten, your baby is about the size of a strawberry. Their face is becoming more human-like, and they are starting to develop their toenails and fingernails. You may start to experience some skin changes, such as acne or darkening of the skin.

Week 11:

In week eleven, your baby is about the size of a lime. They are starting to grow hair and their taste buds are developing. You may start to experience some swelling in your feet and ankles.

Week 12:

By week twelve, your baby is about the size of a plum. They are starting to move their limbs more, and they may even suck their thumb. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping.

Week 13:

During week thirteen, your baby is about the size of a peach. They are starting to produce urine, and their vocal cords are developing. You may start to experience some round ligament pain and stretch marks.

Week 14:

By week fourteen, your baby is about the size of a lemon. They are starting to grow eyelashes and eyebrows, and their skin is becoming more transparent. You may start to experience some constipation and heartburn.

Week 15:

In week fifteen, your baby is about the size of an apple. They are starting to develop their sense of hearing, and they can now hear your voice and heartbeat. You may start to experience some leg cramps and varicose veins.

Week 16:

By week sixteen, your baby is about the size of an avocado. They are starting to grow hair on their scalp, and their bones are becoming stronger. You may start to experience some nasal congestion and nosebleeds.

Week 17:

During week seventeen, your baby is about the size of a turnip. They are starting to develop their sweat glands, and their fat stores are beginning to form. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and heart palpitations.

Week 18:

By week eighteen, your baby is about the size of a sweet potato. They are starting to develop their sense of taste, and they can now recognize different flavors. You may start to experience some vaginal discharge and itching.

Week 19:

In week nineteen, your baby is about the size of a mango. They are starting to develop their reflexes, and they can now suck and swallow. You may start to experience some back pain and leg cramps.

Week 20:

By week twenty, your baby is about the size of a banana. They are starting to grow more hair, and their skin is becoming less transparent. You may start to experience some Braxton Hicks contractions and hip pain.

Week 21:

During week twenty-one, your baby is about the size of a carrot. They are starting to develop their sense of touch, and they can now feel you touching your belly. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and fatigue.

Week 22:

By week twenty-two, your baby is about the size of a papaya. They are starting to develop their sense of smell, and they can now recognize different scents. You may start to experience some swelling in your hands and feet.

Week 23:

In week twenty-three, your baby is about the size of a grapefruit. They are starting to produce more red blood cells, and their lungs are developing rapidly. You may start to experience some heartburn and constipation.

Week 24:

By week twenty-four, your baby is about the size of an ear of corn. They are starting to develop their taste buds even more, and they can now taste sweet and bitter flavors. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping.

Week 25:

During week twenty-five, your baby is about the size of a rutabaga. They are starting to develop their sense of balance, and they can now tell which way is up and which way is down. You may start to experience some back pain and leg cramps.

Week 26:

By week twenty-six, your baby is about the size of a head of lettuce. They are starting to open and close their eyes, and their eyelashes are growing longer. You may start to experience some Braxton Hicks contractions and mood swings.

Week 27:

In week twenty-seven, your baby is about the size of a cauliflower. They are starting to develop their immune system, and they can now regulate their body temperature. You may start to experience some swelling in your hands and feet.

Week 28:

By week twenty-eight, your baby is about the size of an eggplant. They are starting to develop their lungs even more, and they can now breathe air instead of just amniotic fluid. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping.

Week 29:

During week twenty-nine, your baby is about the size of an acorn squash. They are starting to develop their sense of taste even more, and they can now taste salty and sour flavors. You may start to experience some hip pain and sciatica.

Week 30:

By week thirty, your baby is about the size of a butternut squash. They are starting to develop their sense of hearing even more, and they can now recognize your voice and other familiar sounds. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and Braxton Hicks contractions.

Week 31:

In week thirty-one, your baby is about the size of a coconut. They are starting to develop their sense of sight, and they can now distinguish light from dark. You may start to experience some swelling in your hands and feet, and some difficulty sleeping.

Week 32:

By week thirty-two, your baby is about the size of a jicama. They are starting to develop more body fat, which will help regulate their body temperature after birth. You may start to experience some back pain and leg cramps.

Week 33:

During week thirty-three, your baby is about the size of a pineapple. They are starting to develop their immune system even more, and they can now produce antibodies to fight off infections. You may start to experience some Braxton Hicks contractions and mood swings.

Week 34:

By week thirty-four, your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe. They are starting to develop their sense of touch even more, and they can now feel pressure and pain. You may start to experience some shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping.

Week 35:

In week thirty-five, your baby is about the size of a honeydew melon. They are starting to move into the head-down position, which is the ideal position for birth. You may start to experience some pelvic pain and vaginal discharge.

Week 36:

By week thirty-six, your baby is about the size of a romaine lettuce. They are starting to develop their digestive system even more, and they can now process the nutrients from breast milk or formula. You may start to experience some Braxton Hicks contractions and difficulty sleeping.

Week 37:

During week thirty-seven, your baby is considered full term. They are about the size of a watermelon, and they are ready to be born! You may start to experience some signs of labor, such as contractions and a bloody show.

Week 38-40:

During the final weeks of pregnancy, your baby is putting on the finishing touches before birth. They are gaining weight, and they are preparing for their journey into the world. You may experience some more signs of labor, such as your water breaking or stronger contractions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How can I track my baby’s development week by week?

There are many apps and websites that can help you track your baby’s development week by week. You can also talk to your doctor or midwife for more information.

2. What should I do if I am concerned about my baby’s development?

If you are concerned about your baby’s development, talk to your doctor or midwife. They can perform tests and exams to make sure that everything is progressing normally.

3. What can I do to support my baby’s development?

There are many things you can do to support your baby’s development, such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol.

4. How can I prepare for my baby’s arrival?

To prepare for your baby’s arrival, you can take classes on childbirth and breastfeeding, create a birth plan, and set up a nursery. You can also talk to other parents and caregivers for advice and support.

5. What should I expect during labor and delivery?

During labor and delivery, you can expect contractions, dilation of the cervix, and eventually the birth of your baby. It can be a long and intense process, but there are many coping strategies and pain relief options available. Your doctor or midwife can help you prepare for the big day.