For illustrations of the developing fetus at different stages, follow this link
1st
Month 
During
the first month of pregnancy, there are no "physical"
signs of pregnancy. We cannot see a protuding belly or feel the
baby kick. However, the development of the baby in the this stage
is very important, if not the most important.
During this time, the baby is developing all its major organs, tissue, etc. Everything you put into your body goes directly into the baby's body because the umbilical cord cannot filter out the bad nutrients. If you smoke, your baby smokes. If you drink, your baby drinks. Likewise, if you eat healthy, your baby eats healthy.
Your baby is developing all the essential organs it needs to survive, and needs all the nourishment it can get. By 26 days after conception, the baby's heart has begun to beat. Although it is too early to be heard at this point, it can be seen on an ultrasound.
By the end of the first month, your baby is a tiny, tadpole-like embryo, smaller thatn a grain of rice. In the next two weeks, the neural tube (which becomes the brain and spinal cord), heart, digestive tract, sensory organs, and arm and leg buds will begin to form.
2nd
Month
By the second month, your baby has everything that you and I have, only in miniature. Your baby has grown from the size of a pea to the size of chicken's egg.
It is usually during this month that you will hear the baby's heartbeat via ultrasound for the first time. The hands are developing but are too short to meet. The head, the body, and the yolk sac are all about the same size. The yolk sac is the main supplier of blood cells since there is no bone marrow yet. This will continue until the end of the second month.
By the end of this month, the embryo is more human-looking, about 1 1/4 inches long from head to buttocks, and weighs about 1/3 of an ounce. It has a beating heart, arms and legs with budding fingers and toes. Bone will soon be replacing cartilage.
3rd
Month
The third month brings a new name. The embryo has graduated to fetus. Everything that will be found in the fully developed human being has now been established. This is the period of fetal growth and perfection of detail.
The placenta has taken over production of all the hormones necessary for the uterus to keep and nurture the baby inside you. Your uterus fills up a large part of your pelvic cavity, pressing your intestines upward. You may notice a little roundness in your abdomen.
By the end of this month, this tiny human is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long and weighs about 1/2 ounce. Reproductive organs are developed, but the gender of the fetus is difficult to distinguish at this time. You may notice that most of the discomforts of early pregnancy have disappeared.
4th
Month
Month four brings you well into the second trimester. During this time, the fetus grows rapidly in both length and weight. It has hair on its head and will begin to make some very active movements that you might be able to feel.
If you are a first- time mom-to-be, don't be worried if you haven't felt movement yet. It may take longer for you to realize just exactly what you are feeling. With subsequent pregnancies, you will feel movement earlier.
A fine hair called lanugo covers the entire body of the baby. It is also covered with a greasy substance called vernix, which protects the skin from the amniotic fluid. You may be starting to show and maternity clothes start to become a necessity.
By the end of the fourth month, the 4 inch fetus is developing reflexes such as sucking and swallowing. Tooth buds are emerging as the fingers and toes are now well defined. Though the baby is more human-looking, it cannot survive outside the uterus.
5th
Month
You may notice you have gotten that pregnancy glow. The fifth month of pregnancy is the mid-way point. The baby is almost 10 inches in length and 8-12 ounces in weight. The external sex organs are now fully defined and can be seen via ultrasound. This pictures shows a boy .
The baby starts to grow hair on its head. It's been said that the more heartburn you have during pregnancy, the more hair your baby will have on its head. At 20 weeks, the uterus should be at the navel. Your baby will have sleep and awake patterns that are similar to a newborn, and may respond to a loud noise.
You may also have a dark line beginning to appear dowm the middle of your abdomen, starting at your navel. The line will begin to fade sometime after childbirth.
6th
Month
At 24 weeks, you are nearing the end of the second trimester. The baby's kicks are more frequent and harder as the bone is getting harder. The baby's eyelids open to reveal well-formed eyes, and the baby can move them from side to side or up and down. The skin is red and wrinkled, with little fat beneath it. Permanent teeth are forming in the baby's gums, and there is an abundance of taste buds inside the mouth and on the tongue.
The posture of your baby is becoming more erect and may be about 2 inches longer and 1 pound heavier. If your baby were born now, he or she would be able to make a crying sound.
7th
Month
You are now into the third trimester. Your belly grows bigger and bigger and your doctor may be able to identify different parts of the baby's body by feeling your abdomen. He or she will also be able to tell you what position your baby is in. Don't be alarmed if your baby is in a breech presentation (feet first) there is still plenty of time for your baby to settle down into the pelvis.
By the end of the seventh month, fat begins to be deposited on your baby. It may suck its thumb, hiccup, and cry. It can also respond to light, sound, and pain. The baby weighs about 3 pounds. There is good chance of survival if the baby is born now.
8th
Month
The eighth month means you are almost done. Your baby is almost full term size and your belly shows it. Your nipples may start to leak colostrum. It is not actual breast milk, but the pre-milk. If you nurse, colostrum will nourish your baby for the first few days of life.
You may also notice that your belly button is protruding. This is a result of increasing pressure of the expanding uterus. Don't worry...your navel will return to normal after the baby is born.
Braxton-Hicks (painless contractions that do not open the cervix) begin to occur more often. Braxton-Hicks contractions are often rehearsals for labor by preparing the uterus for the work that is about to come.
By the end of the eighth month, the baby is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds. A baby born before the 37th week of gestation is considered pre-term.
9th
Month
The final month has finally come. I can bet you are very anxious to get this baby here. However, I have to tell you that this last month takes forever. Sorry. Final preparations are being made for birth, which can safely take place now at any time. Lungs are mature. The average baby is 20 inches long and weighs 7 1/2 pounds.
Lightening occurs any time from 4 weeks to hours before delivery. With lightening, you may find it easier to breathe, but urinate more frequently. You might find it difficult to get comfortable due to your expanding belly and have problems sleeping.
It has been said that the woman gets an overwhelming urge to "nest" or clean right before delivery. This burst of energy is for labor. Use it wisely. You don't want to tire yourself cleaning house all day only to go into labor that night. Prepare what you will be taking to the hospital with you for the delivery.
Signs of true labor is sometimes hard to distinguish from false labor. Here's a hint though....true labor HURTS!! True labor opens up the cervix through effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation (widening of the cervix) You must get to 100% effacement and 10 centimeters dilated. After the cervix has completely opened, you and the uterus will push the baby out. A few pushes (sometimes more) and your baby will take its first breath.
Congratulations, Mom!! We hope your new addition is healthy and you found your pregnancy and delivery to be an unforgettable experience. Enjoy your new baby.
Go back to Lynne's Ultimate Pregnancy Page
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