During pregnancy, a large number of woman are curious about what is happening with the baby in their bellies. If it were possible, they would constantly look in to see how their little one is doing, keeping track of all the developmental milestones.
Here is a run-down of what is happening on your baby’s journey as they get ready to come out into the world.
The first six weeks are the beginning of life for your baby. During this period, the egg has been fertilized and multiplies, becoming a large ball of cells. These cells are referred to as the blastocyst. They float around, usually through the fallopian tube, until they eventually arrive in the uterus and implant themselves in the lining.
By the time your baby is six weeks old within the womb, he has the beginnings of his spinal cord, and his head is taking shape. His cells begin to become more specialized, and they will eventually make up the organs within the body.
As your baby reaches the ten-week-old mark, development has proceeded rapidly, and he or she has literally grown four times bigger than they were at the 6-week mark. Your babies little heart can be seen on an ultrasound now, and fingers and toes are also taking shape. The features in the face are also developing, and the eyes and nose now appear. All of the internal organs of the baby are in their correct positions, and the baby has developed reflexes. This means that he or she can respond to touch, and probably knows when you are rubbing your belly lovingly.
Within the first trimester, the baby grows very rapidly, starting out as a tiny cell into an identifiable being. It should weigh 1 ¾ oz. by the end of the first semester, a small, but mighty force within you.
As your baby grows and is close to the 14-week mark, he or she is a fully formed human being. All the organs have been formed, and even the intestines have sealed in the abdominal cavity. His entire body is covered with small fine hairs, and his overall shape is more human than it has been before. In his little mouth, there are 32 tooth buds which have already taken shape and all the bones are growing at a rapid pace.
At 18 weeks, your baby’s sexual organs have developed enough that using an ultrasound, it should be possible to discern the sex of the baby. There is the presence of fingernails on fingers and toes, and the baby is able to ‘breath’ in amniotic fluid. By 22 weeks, the baby has a functioning nervous system. You are also going to feel a lot more movement as the muscles have also developed considerably.
on a large amount of weight, ending up between the 6 lb. and 9 lb. range by the time you are ready to deliver.
As you approach the third trimester, it is said that you have a viable fetus, meaning that in the event that your baby is born prematurely, there is a high chance of survival. The baby’s brain is well developed by the 26th week. By week 30, the baby has started to build up fat reserves under the skin and can open and close his eyes. By week 34, the baby is fully and completely formed. All that is left is to put on a little weight and come.
