What Are The Stages Of Fetal Development

(October 26, 2010)

Stages of fetal development comprise nine months or 40 weeks. Here’s an idea of the stages of pregnancy or fetal development month by month to help you understand how your baby grows inside you.

First Month: The first four weeks of the first trimester are very significant. Stages of fetal development week by week study shows that the stages of embryonic or early fetal development take about 11 weeks from the time of conception; 48 hours after ovulation, the cells of the fertilized egg or zygote undergo divisions leading to the baby and the placenta. The baby’s eye, hair color, and sex are determined at this stage. In this early stage of fetal development, the baby in the amniotic sac is 2mm long.
Second Month: The embryo exhibits heartbeat and growth of arms, legs, and joints, and beginnings of facial features, brain, and the central nervous system make their appearance. Genitals can be seen through an ultrasound. The fetus is less than an inch long and weighs 1 to 2 grams.
Third month: The baby’s arms and legs move and bones harden. The liver, kidneys, heart, and face develop. The baby is now 3 to 4 inches long with a weight of 1 ounce.
Fourth month: Among the fetal development stages, this is quite an important stage. This stage comprises the appearance of teeth within the gums, hair, the digestive tract, and the intestines. The baby’s sex is determined at this stage. It weighs from 5 to 8 ounces and is 5 to 6 inches in length.
Fifth month: In this month, the pads of the fingers and toes develop. Eye brows and lashes, and fine body hair appear. The baby can suck and swallow. The baby’s ears are fully developed, and it is able to hear sounds. The baby is 7 to 8 inches long weighing almost a pound.
Sixth month: In the sixth month, the fetal developments include formation of immunity and respiratory systems. The baby’s weight is 1.5 to 2.25 pounds and length is 9 to 10 inches.
Seventh month: This is when the baby is active, moving, and kicking. He or she also gets hiccups. The bones are well formed, and the eyes of the baby are open. The baby weighs around 3.5 pounds and is 11 inches long.
Eighth month: The baby is fully developed at this stage of fetal development. It matures further and gains weight. The fetus sleeps more, but is active. It weighs 5 to 6 pounds and is about 13 inches long. Doctors will advise monitoring of fetal development week by week at this point.
Ninth month: In the ninth month, the baby is in resting mode, but actively moves in the womb. The baby’s head should be towards the cervix. The baby is now ready to come out; it is 19 or 20 inches long with a body weight of around 7 to 8 pounds. This completes the stages of fetal development.

Submitted by N on October 26, 2010 at 11:57

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