What happens in weeks 1-8 of pregnancy?
– The placenta begins to form.
– The brain and spinal cord begin to form.
– The tissues that will start the heart beating begin to form. In the 6th week of pregnancy, heartbeats can be monitored on ultrasound.
– Limb buds begin to appear.
– Eyes, ears and nose begin to develop. The eyelids are formed but closed.
– The genital area begins to develop.
– By the end of the 8th week, all major organs and body systems begin to develop.
What happens in the 9-12 weeks of pregnancy?
– The buds of future teeth begin to form.
– Fingers and soft nails begin to form.
– Bones and muscles start to grow.
– The intestines begin to form.
– The spine is soft and can bend and twist.
– The skin is thin and transparent.
– The hands are more developed than the feet.
– Arms are longer than legs.
What happens between 13-16 weeks of pregnancy?
– Arms and legs can bend and flex.
– External genital organs are formed.
– The outer ear begins to develop
– The fetus can swallow and hear.
– Its neck is formed.
– The kidneys begin to function and produce urine.
What happens between 17 and 20 weeks of pregnancy?
– It develops a sucking reflex, if it puts its hand to its mouth it can suck its thumb.
– The skin is wrinkled, the body is covered with a waxy, creamy substance called vernix and fine hairs called lanugo.
– The fetus is more active and its movements can be felt by the mother.
– The fetus sleeps and wakes up regularly.
– Fingernails grow to the tips of the fingers.
– The gallbladder starts to produce bile.
– In female fetuses, eggs form in the ovaries, in male fetuses the testicles descend into the sacs.
– Ultrasound can tell gender.
What happens between 21-24 weeks of pregnancy?
– The fetus may start hiccupping.
– The brain is developing rapidly.
– Tear ducts are developing.
– Fingers can be seen.
– The lungs are fully formed, but they are not organized to function outside the womb.
What happens between 25-28 weeks of pregnancy?
– Eyes can open and close
– The fetus kicks and stretches.
– It makes grasping movements and responds to sound.
– The lung cells begin to produce a substance that makes breathing possible.
What happens between 29-32 weeks of pregnancy?
– As most of its development is complete, the fetus begins to gain weight rapidly.
– The bones harden but the skeleton remains soft and flexible for birth.
– Different parts of the brain continue to form.
– Hair begins to grow
– The hairs called lanugo start to disappear.
What happens between 33-36 weeks of pregnancy?
– The fetus usually returns to the head-down position for birth.
– Brain development continues.
– Skin wrinkles are reduced.
– The lung continues to develop and is able to function when it leaves the uterus.
– Sleep pattern develops.
What happens between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy?
– The baby starts to descend down the pelvis.
– More fat is stored, especially around the elbows, knees and shoulders.
– The fetus gains about 250 grams per week during this month.