PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

(Conception – Birth)

First Month• Fertilisation occurs• Zygote plants itself in

the lining of the uterus• Rapid cell division

occurs• Embryonic stage lasts

from 2 weeks to 8 weeks

CONCEPTION

First Month• Nervous system begins

to develop• By the end of the first

month, the embryo is up to approx ½ an inch long.

• The heart, which is no larger than a poppy seed, has begun beating.

First Month

Two Months• The heart has divided into

right and left chambers and blood vessels form

• Head area develops rapidly• Eyes begin to form detail• Internal organs grow,

especially the digestive system

• Sex organs develop rapidly and gender is distinguished

Two Months

• Arms and legs form and grow

• Weighs 1/10 ounce• The embryo is about 1

inch long and has distinct, slightly webbed fingers.

Two Months

Three Months• By now the fetus is 2 1/2

to 3 inches long and is fully formed.

• weighs 1 ounce or 28 grams

• Has begun swallowing and kicking.

• All organs and muscles have formed and are beginning to function.

Three Months• Head growth occurs

rapidly• Bone formation begins to

grow rapidly• The digestive organs begin

to function• Arms, legs and fingers

make spontaneous movements

Four Months• Lower parts of the body

show rapid growth• Bones are distinct in X-

Rays• Reflex movement

becomes more active• Heartbeat detected by

physician• Sex organs are fully

formed

Four Months• Foetus is 7 inches long • Weighs 5 ounces or 142

grams• Is covered with a layer of

thick, downy hair called lanugo.

• This is when you may feel a first kick.

4 months

Five Months

• A protective coating called

vernix caseosa begins to form on baby's skin.

• By the end of this month, the baby will be nearly 8 inches long

• Weighs almost a pound or 454 grams.

Five Months• Ears and nose begin to

develop cartilage• Fingernails and toenails

begin to grow• Foetus performs thumb

sucking, kicking and hiccups

• Foetus is 14 inches long or 35 cm.

Six Months

• Eyebrows and eyelids are visible.

• Lungs are filled with amniotic fluid, and has started breathing motions.

• If you talk or sing, the baby can hear you.

Six Months

• Fat is developed under the skin.

• Weighs 2 pounds or approximately 900 grams.

6 Months

Seven Months

• By the end of the seventh month, your baby weighs about 3 1/2 pounds.

• The body is well-formed.

• Fingernails cover the fingertips.

Seven Months

• Foetus is 17 inches or 42 cm long.

• Weighs 5 pounds or approximately 2 kg.

Eight Months• The baby is gaining

about half a pound per week

• Layers of fat are piling on.

• The baby has probably turned head-down in preparation for birth.

Eight Months• Weighs between 4 and

6 pounds.

Nine Months

• The baby is a hefty 6 to 9 pounds

• Measures between 19 and 22 inches.

• As the baby becomes more crowded, it may move around less.