PREGNANCY

Baby's Development

FIRST MONTH
For the first 8 weeks, baby is called an embryo and looks like a tadpole. By the end of the first month the embryo is about 1,27cm long and has a recognisable head, nervous system, body and tiny limb buds, which will grow into arms and legs. Towards the end of the fourth week the heart, which is no larger than a poppy seed, begins to beat although this will not be heard for a further few weeks.

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SECOND MONTH
Although not fully developed, vital organs have formed and the digestive, respiratory and urinary systems have taken shape. Early stages of the placenta, is visible and working. The fingers, toes, ankles, wrists, and ears are distinguishable. Eyelids form and grow but are sealed shut. Veins are clearly visible. The heart has divided into right and left chambers. By end of second month, baby looks more like a person than a tadpole and measures about 3,8cm.

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THIRD MONTH
Towards the end of the third month, the embryo graduates to the status of foetus. The kidneys begin to secrete urine. Soft nails forms on the fingers and toes and twenty buds, that will become baby teeth, appear in the gums. Reproductive organs (too early to tell the gender) develop. With the help of a Doppler, a handheld soundwave stethoscope, baby's heartbeat can be heard for the first time (10 to 12 weeks). By the end of this month, baby is about 12cm long and can turn it's head, make a grimace, kick it's feet, open it's mouth and make a fist.

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Second Trimester

FOURTH MONTH
This month baby moves, kicks, swallows, sucks it's thumb and can hear mum's voice. The skin is translucent, with no fat under it, and covered with a layer of thick, downy hair called lanugo. The placenta is fully formed and the umbilical cord continues to grow and thicken to carry enough nourishment from mother to foetus. By end of this month, baby is about 20cm long and weighs about 198g.

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FIFTH MONTH
This month eyebrows and eyelashes form, baby can move it's lips, flex it's fingers and fingernails have grown to tips of fingers. A protective coating called vernix caseosa begins to form on baby's skin. Baby becomes more active, turning from side to side and sometimes head over heels, also sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. This is a month of rapid growth for baby and by the end of the month, little one measures about 27,5cm and weighs about 425g.

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SIXTH MONTH
Baby now has well-defined facial features, has developed fingerprints and footprints and the skin is red and wrinkled and covered with fine, soft hair. Loud noises startle baby and jarring movements will rouse it. Eyelids begin to part and the eyes open. During this last month of the second trimester, the nature of  baby's growth becomes more refined. Previously, it grew in broad, bold strokes - with baby forming entire organs and systems, but now those organs are being fine-tuned. Some, like the heart and brain, already are functioning. Others, like the lungs, are maturing so they'll be ready on the big day. Baby at this stage, usually is too small and it's lungs not ready for life outside it's mother. If born now, baby might survive with intensive care. By the end of the sixth month, baby measures over 30cm and weighs about 678g.

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Third Trimester

SEVENTH MONTH
This month baby can open and close it's eyes, suck it's thumb, hiccup and cry. Baby is very active and exercises by kicking and stretching - mum feeling the movements nearly every hour throughout the day, every day. Baby responds to pain, light and sound. If born now, baby has a good chance for survival. At the end of this month, little one may weigh 1,6kg and measure about 40,5cm.

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EIGHTH MONTH
Rapid brain growth continues. Baby is too big to move around much but can kick strongly and roll around. Bones of the head are soft and flexible to make it easier for baby to fit through the birth canal. Lungs may still be immature and heart and liver is completing development. By the end of the eighth month, baby weighs about 2,5kg and is about 46cm long.

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NINTH MONTH
Nature is fine-tuning all of baby's organs to help it flourish when it enters the world. At 38 - 40 weeks, baby is full term. Baby's lungs are mature and ready to function on their own. During this month, baby gains about 1kg. Baby usually moves into a head-down position and rests lower in the mother's abdomen. At the end of the 9th month, baby weighs about 3,4kg and is 51cm long.

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This page provides information of a general nature. Note, each baby is unique and there will be slight differences in every baby's growth and development.