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Your baby's development
 Six to eight weeks
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Fetus is about ½ an inch long
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Spinal cord, nervous system and gastrointestinal systems (stomach and intestines) are developing
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Sense of hearing and lungs are developing
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Eyes, ears, nose tip and tongue are forming
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Arms and legs are present, with slightly webbed fingers and toes
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Placenta and umbilical cord are forming
Nine to 10 weeks
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Fetus is about 1 inch long
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Fingers are present
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Fetal heartbeat may be detectable
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External genitals are developing
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Fetus moves constantly
11 to 12 weeks
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Fetus is about 2 inches long and weighs ½ ounce
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Face begins to look more human: eyes are closer together, ears more to the sides of head
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Fetus starts secreting urine
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Brain continues to develop as nerve cells multiply
13 to 14 weeks
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Fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs 1 ounce
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Fetus can smile, frown and move fingers and toes
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Fingernails are forming
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Taste buds are developed
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Gender is detectable
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Placenta development is complete, with a full exchange of nutrients and waste products
15 to 17 weeks
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Fetus is about 5 inches long and weighs 4 ounces to 5 ounces
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Body now is growing faster than the head
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Fetus can suck its thumb
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Fetus swallows amniotic fluid
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Heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood each day
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Bones start to form
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Body starts to cover with lanugo (soft, downy hair on a baby)
20 weeks
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Fetus is about 8 inches long and weighs about 11 ounces
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Body is completely covered with lanugo
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Eyebrows and eyelashes start growing
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Nails appear on fingers and toes
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Fetus is more active due to increased muscle development
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Heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope
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Quickening (when the mother can feel the fetus moving) can occur
24 weeks
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Fetus is about 11 inches long and weighs about 1 pound, 10 ounces
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Eyebrows and eyelashes are well formed
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Eyes are fully developed
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Fetus has hand reflexes and startle reflexes
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Footprints and fingerprints are forming
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Alveoli (air sacs) in lungs are forming
25 to 28 weeks
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Fetus is about 15 inches and weighs about 2 pounds, 11 ounces
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Rapid brain development occurs
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Nervous system develops enough to control certain body functions
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Eyelids open and close
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Respiratory system is immature, but developed enough for gas exchange
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Baby born at this time may survive, but complication rates and death rates are high
29 to 32 weeks
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Fetus is from 15 inches to 17 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds, 6 ounces
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Body fat rapidly increases
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Lungs are not fully mature, but rhythmic breathing movements occur
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Bones are fully developed, although they are soft and pliable
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Fetus starts to store iron, calcium and phosphorus
36 weeks
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Fetus is about 16 inches to 19 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds, 12 ounces, to 6 pounds, 12 ounces
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Lanugo starts to disappear
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Body fat continues to increase
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Fingernails grow to end of fingertips
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Baby born at this time has good chance of survival, but may need medical intervention and care
37 to 40 weeks
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Fetus may be 19 inches to 21 inches long and weigh about 6 pounds to 8 pounds, 8 ounces; it is considered full-term at 37 weeks
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Lanugo is gone except for upper arms and shoulders
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Fingernails grow beyond fingertips
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Small breast buds present in both genders
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Hair on head is coarse and thick
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