Pregnancy And Baby Care Articles Pregnancy Stages

...as the first month of pregnancy actually consists of the ovulation period mainly. The start date of your last period is always calculated as the date on which your pregnancy begins. Going forth, the number of weeks and months you complete will be calculated from this date. During implantation, your baby measures around 0.1 to 0.2 mm. By the end of the first month many women suspect that they are pregnant. As you enter your second month, your baby, develops a heartbeat. By the end of the second month, you baby should measure 8 to 11 mm and you will be able to see your baby’s limb-buds in an ultrasound. The third month will signify a period of development of the baby’s bones and body. Even though you can’t feel it, your baby probably moves spontaneously. The baby should now measure around 3.5 inches and should weight around 14 grams. With the end of the third month, you enter the second pregnancy trimester.

In the fourth month, the baby measures around 6.3 inches and weighs 85 grams. Your placenta will take over the production of hormones required during pregnancy. All of the baby’s teeth will have formed, as well as a pattern of hair on the scalp. The baby can urinate small amounts into the amniotic fluid, every 45 minutes or so. By the fifth month, you can easily determine the gender of the baby, through an ultrasound. The baby weighs 283 grams and is around 9.8 inches long. Most mothers can feel the baby’s movements quite easily by now. A fine layer of hair called the lanugo covers the baby’s body at this time. In the sixth month, the eyebrows form and the color of the lanugo gets darker. The baby breathes and moves freely and weighs around 600 grams and should be around 11.8 inches long. Babies also begin to deposit brown fat which helps in regulating the body temperature at birth.

In the third trimester, a reduction in the baby’s movements should not be a cause for concern, due to the lack of space for a growing baby. In the seventh month, many babies begin to turn head down. Sounds of your heartbeat, digestive system, your voice as well as other sounds can be heard by the baby, although they are muffled. You baby should weigh 1 kilo and is probably 13.8 inches in length. A baby born in the seventh month stands a good chance of survival. In the eight month, the baby gains weight rapidly (most of it consists of fat and muscle tissue) and should weigh 1.7 kilos and should be around 15.8 inches in length. The baby’s marrow should also control the production of the red blood cells. By the ninth month, all the baby’s organs are fully formed. The weight gain may slow down a bit. The average weight for children at birth is seven and a half pounds. Many babies arrive even before their estimated due date. Therefore, at this time, it is important to read the signals of labor and keep your doctor informed.

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