Your
Unborn Child
Click each picture
for a larger view.
| WEEKS
1-5
Conception
begins when the sperm penetrates the ovum. As the fertilized "zygote"
divides and becomes more complex, it will move freely throughout
the uterus until it implants along the uterine wall a few days later
to form the beginnings of connection for you and your baby. The
placenta (the organ by which your unborn child receives oxygen and
nutrients from you) begins to develop and a small, water-tight sac
filled with amniotic fluid envelopes your baby. During this stage
in your pregnancy, your baby's blood cells are taking shape and
gearing up for circulation.
|
WEEKS
6-9
Growing
quickly, reaching up to one inch in length, your baby's heart
is already beating, the liver, intestines, and eyes are developing.
By the latter end of the 9th week, your baby's ears, mouth, hands,
fingers, feet and toes become more evident as the internal organs
and the nervous system become active and responsive. The brain
and spinal cord are in their infancy. Bones begin to replace cartilage.
|
WEEKS
10-14
As your child becomes more complex, the eyelids, fingernails and
toenails form. The sex organs of your child and muscles throughout
the body are increasingly more developed. Weighing in at nearly
an ounce, your child has grown to almost 4 inches long. Teeth
are beginning to form, and circulation is moving blood throughout
the baby's body.
|
| WEEKS
15-18
Now,
your child will yawn, the eyes will blink, and the hands will open
and close as if reaching for something. Though the skin is still
somewhat translucent, hair begins to grow on the body and head of
your child. Reproductive organs are fully developed at this stage. |
WEEKS
19-22
Weighing
up to 8 ounces and nearly doubling in length, your child is developing
quickly. As the muscles have developed, it is possible to feel your
baby moving around as it stretches and exercises. |
WEEKS
13-30
With
the ability to inhale and exhale, your child has nearly a 50% chance
of living outside of the womb with much medical assistance. The
eyes have completely formed. Fingerprints are now evident and your
child is responsive to sounds and movement. Hearing has developed
fully. As we near the end of week 30, the birth of your baby would
be considered "pre-mature," weighing nearly 3 pounds. |
| WEEKS
31-40
As your baby continues to grow, the brain develops more rapidly.
Though your baby's lungs may not be fully developed, most of the
internal organs are operating completely. |
WEEKS
40-42
As
your child nears the beginnings of life outside of the womb, it
is moving constantly, finding new positions, climactically moving
it's head into position to prepare for delivery. |
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for an appointment or e-mail us at the "Questions?" link
to talk, ask a question, or make an appointment
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