Pregnancy is an exciting time. But what exactly happens to the fetus each week? Being aware of your baby’s growth is an important aspect of being a parent.
Marking down the stages of development on a pregnancy calendar is a great way to keep track of your baby’s growth.
Weeks 1-14
This is known as the first trimester.
- Gender is determined
- Neural tubes form (These will later form into the nervous system.)
- Heart and circulatory system begin to form
- Heart begins to beat
- Umbilical cord begins development
- Limbs begin to develop
- Eye lenses appear
- Intestines begin to grow
- Fingers and feet appear
- Teeth begin development under the gums
- Bones form
- Eye structure well underway (The eyelids will fuse shut to allow the iris to develop.)
- Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate
- Vocal chords forms
- Liver begins to function
- Hormones begin to be secreted
Weeks 15-27
This is known as the second trimester.
- Kicking movements can be felt
- Ear development hastens
- Further bowel development
- Skeleton transforming from cartilage to bone
- Skins begins to develop
- Air sacs form in the lungs
- Vocal chords finish development
- Sleeping patterns are developed
- Teeth buds develop
- Amniotic fluid ingested and urine excreted
- Senses are developing
- Brain begins to rapidly develop towards the end of this trimester
Weeks 28-40
This is known as the third trimester.
- Brain is able to control breathing
- Tears can be produced
- Lungs continue to develop and will complete development towards the end of this trimester
- All five senses are now working
- REM sleep begins
- Hearing is fully developed
- Kidneys are fully developed
- You baby will be born any day now!
