The First Nine Months
For an abbreviated version of this with pictures, please see The Unborn Baby.
Days 3-4
The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where the lining has been prepared for implantation.
Days 10-14
The developing embryo signals its presence through placental chemicals and hormones, preventing the mother from menstruating.
Day 20
Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already established.
Day 21
The heart begins to beat.
Day 28
The backbone and muscles are forming. Arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show.
Day 35
Five fingers can be discerned in the hand. The eyes darken as pigment is produced.
Day 40
Brain waves can be detected and recorded.
Week 8
At a little more than an inch long, the developing life is now called a fetus-Latin for “young one” or “offspring.” Everything is now present that will be found in a fully developed adult. The fetus’ body responds to touch, although the mother will not be able to feel movement until the fourth or fifth month.
Week 9
The fetus will curve its finger around an object placed in the palm of its hand.
Week 11
At this time the fetus is about two inches long. The face has assumed a baby’s profile, and muscle movements are becoming more coordinated.
Week 12
The fetus now sleeps, awakens and exercises its muscles energetically-turning its head, curling its toes, and opening and closing its mouth. The palm, when stroked will make a tight fist.
Month 5
Half of the pregnancy has now passed, and the fetus is about 12 inches long. The mother has definitely begun to feel movement by now. If a sound is especially loud or startling, the fetus may jump in reaction to it.
Month 6
If the baby were born in this month and given the proper care, he would survive.
Month 7
The baby now uses the four senses of vision, hearing, taste and touch. He can recognize his mother’s voice.
Month 8
The skin begins to thicken, with a layer of fat stored underneath for insulation and nourishment. Antibodies increasingly build up.
Month 9
Toward the end of this month, the baby is ready for birth. The infant normally weighs 6-9 pounds, and his heart is pumping about 250 gallons of blood a day. He is fully capable of life outside the womb.