Embryo development: From conception to birth
Congratulations, you’re pregnant!
You would like to know how big your developing baby is, what it looks like and when you will feel it move for the first time.
In this slideshow you will see how your baby grows month by month.
Congratulations, you’re pregnant!
You would like to know how big your developing baby is, what it looks like and when you will feel it move for the first time.
In this slideshow you will see how your baby grows month by month.
Conception
Fertilization occurs when a sperm (spermatozoon) penetrates the egg (oocyte), and is known as conception. At this point, all the genetic material required by the fertilized egg is complete.
Within approximately 3 days after conception, the fertilized egg, which is continuously dividing (cleaving) passes through the fallopian tube to the uterus where it will implant.
The placenta, which will nourish the fetus, begins to form.
Fertilization occurs when a sperm (spermatozoon) penetrates the egg (oocyte), and is known as conception. At this point, all the genetic material required by the fertilized egg is complete.
Within approximately 3 days after conception, the fertilized egg, which is continuously dividing (cleaving) passes through the fallopian tube to the uterus where it will implant.
The placenta, which will nourish the fetus, begins to form.
Four weeks
At 4 weeks, the structures that will eventually form the face and neck become apparent.
The heart and blood vessels continue to develop, as well as the lungs, stomach and liver.
A home pregnancy test would show a positive result.
At 4 weeks, the structures that will eventually form the face and neck become apparent.
The heart and blood vessels continue to develop, as well as the lungs, stomach and liver.
A home pregnancy test would show a positive result.
Eight weeks
The embryo is approximately 1,3 cm long.
The eyelids and ears are forming and the tip of the nose becomes visible.
The baby’s arms and legs are well-formed.
The fingers and toes are growing and become more distinct.
The embryo is approximately 1,3 cm long.
The eyelids and ears are forming and the tip of the nose becomes visible.
The baby’s arms and legs are well-formed.
The fingers and toes are growing and become more distinct.
Twelve weeks
The fetus is about 5 cm long and is starting to move.
Your doctor may hear the baby’s heart beat.
The baby’s sex organs are becoming more clear.
The fetus is about 5 cm long and is starting to move.
Your doctor may hear the baby’s heart beat.
The baby’s sex organs are becoming more clear.
Sixteen weeks
The fetus is not approximately 11 – 11,7 cm long and weighs about 100 gr.
The top of your uterus is ±7,5 cm below your belly button.
You may be able to feel the baby move.
It can blink and the heart and blood vessels are almost completely formed.
The fingers and toes now have fingerprints.
The fetus is not approximately 11 – 11,7 cm long and weighs about 100 gr.
The top of your uterus is ±7,5 cm below your belly button.
You may be able to feel the baby move.
It can blink and the heart and blood vessels are almost completely formed.
The fingers and toes now have fingerprints.
Twenty four weeks
The fetus weighs about 635 gr.
It responds to sounds, either by moving or increasing its heartbeat. You will be able to feel it when it has the hiccups.
The inner ear is fully developed and is able to sense when it is upside down in the womb.
The fetus weighs about 635 gr.
It responds to sounds, either by moving or increasing its heartbeat. You will be able to feel it when it has the hiccups.
The inner ear is fully developed and is able to sense when it is upside down in the womb.
Twenty eight weeks
The fetus now weighs about 1,1 kg and is frequently changing position.
There is a good chance of survival if it is born now (prematurely).
Your doctor will inform you about the warning signs of preterm labour.
Find out about birthing classes, which prepare the expecting mother for the birth and care of her newborn.
The fetus now weighs about 1,1 kg and is frequently changing position.
There is a good chance of survival if it is born now (prematurely).
Your doctor will inform you about the warning signs of preterm labour.
Find out about birthing classes, which prepare the expecting mother for the birth and care of her newborn.
Thirty two weeks
The baby is often moving and weighs approximately 1,8 kg.
Its skin has fewer wrinkles and a layer of fat begins to form under the skin.
It will gain up to half of its birth weight from now until birth.
Discuss breast feeding. Soon, you may notice a few drops of yellowish fluid (colostrum) leaking from your breasts as your body prepares to make milk.
Doctor’s appointments are usually scheducled every 2 weeks at this stage of pregnancy.
The baby is often moving and weighs approximately 1,8 kg.
Its skin has fewer wrinkles and a layer of fat begins to form under the skin.
It will gain up to half of its birth weight from now until birth.
Discuss breast feeding. Soon, you may notice a few drops of yellowish fluid (colostrum) leaking from your breasts as your body prepares to make milk.
Doctor’s appointments are usually scheducled every 2 weeks at this stage of pregnancy.
Thirty six weeks
Babies vary in size, depending on many factors (such as gender, the number of embryos in the womb, the parents’ size, etc). Therefore, the rate of growth is just as important as the actual size.
An average embryo is 50 cm long and weights 2,7 kg.
The brain has developed rapidly and the lungs are almost fully developed.
At this point, the head is usually positioned down and in the pelvic area.
A pregnancy is considered “at term” by the end of 37 weeks.
Babies vary in size, depending on many factors (such as gender, the number of embryos in the womb, the parents’ size, etc). Therefore, the rate of growth is just as important as the actual size.
An average embryo is 50 cm long and weights 2,7 kg.
The brain has developed rapidly and the lungs are almost fully developed.
At this point, the head is usually positioned down and in the pelvic area.
A pregnancy is considered “at term” by the end of 37 weeks.
Labour
The due date is a the end of the 40th week.
Pregnancy begins when the embryo implants and the due date is calculated using the first day of the mother’s last period.
Based on this, a normal pregnancy may last between 38 and 42 weeks.
As a safety precaution, if a baby is not born until the 42nd week, labour is induced.
The due date is a the end of the 40th week.
Pregnancy begins when the embryo implants and the due date is calculated using the first day of the mother’s last period.
Based on this, a normal pregnancy may last between 38 and 42 weeks.
As a safety precaution, if a baby is not born until the 42nd week, labour is induced.
After 16 years of trying to have a baby, our dream became reality!
Irini - Babis
Edessa 25/1/2012
