The news that you are going to become a mother brings great joy to your heart, doesn't it? At the same time, you are very curious about how that little creature inside your womb gradually develops. It is truly an amazing process. Today, we will talk about this amazing journey that begins before you even know you are pregnant and continues until your little one comes into this world.
The three main stages of baby development
Simply put, the entire process of a baby's development can be divided into three main stages. Although we don't use these words in normal conversation, it's worth knowing about them.
| Stage | Time limit | What simply happens |
|---|---|---|
| Germinal Stage | About 2 weeks from the moment of conception | A sperm and an egg join together, become a mass of cells, and are deposited in the uterus. |
| Embryonic Stage | 3 weeks to 8 weeks | The baby's major organs, brain, heart, and limbs, begin to form. |
| Fetal Stage | From 9 weeks to birth | The organs are well developed, the baby's weight and length have increased, and it is preparing for birth. |
Germinal Stage - The First Step
This is the shortest stage. Conception occurs when a sperm meets your egg in the fallopian tube. The single cell that forms there is called a zygote. This zygote travels to the uterus for about a week. During this journey, it divides and forms many cells. Finally, this ball of cells separates into two parts. One part eventually becomes the embryo, and the other part becomes the placenta. This ball of cells (blastocyst) travels to the uterus and implants itself in the uterine wall. If this is successful, your body will start producing the hormones needed to get pregnant and your period will stop.
Embryonic Stage - When a shape emerges
This stage begins from the 3rd week of pregnancy to the 8th week. Now that ball of cells is slowly starting to take on the shape of a human being. We now call it an embryo. The neural tube (which later becomes the brain and spinal cord), head, eyes, mouth, and limbs begin to form during this time. By weeks 5-6, the cells that will form the heart begin to form and begin to beat. By week 6, the arms and legs appear like little knobs. By the end of week 8, most of the baby's major organs and systems are fully formed. This is also when many mothers start to experience morning sickness .
Fetal Stage - Development until birth
This stage lasts from 9 weeks until the baby is born. We now call the embryo a fetus. Although the baby's sex is determined around 9 weeks, it takes a while to see it with an ultrasound scan. The baby's major organs continue to develop and mature. Things like nails, eyelashes, and hair also grow during this time. Although the baby can move its limbs, you won't start to feel it until about 20 weeks. Most of the baby's weight and length increase occurs during this period.
How does pregnancy begin? How do you calculate the days?
This may seem a bit strange. Medically, your pregnancy begins on the first day of your last period . In reality, conception occurs about two weeks later. But the doctor asks you about the date of your last period because he uses it to calculate your due date. That's why your clinic book will have this exact date recorded.
Simply put, we start counting the gestation period from two weeks before conception. So if you're told you're 4 weeks along, it's actually about 2 weeks since the baby was conceived.
Baby's development month by month, week by week
A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. We divide this time into three main parts. These are called trimesters. One trimester lasts about three months.
First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)
This is the most important and crucial time of pregnancy. It is during this time that a tiny ball of cells develops into a human-shaped embryo. It is also during this time that many mothers experience the most fatigue and morning sickness.
Month 1 (Weeks 1-4)
- Weeks 1-2: This is when your body is really preparing for pregnancy. It is getting ready to release an egg from the ovary (ovulation).
- Week 3: Conception occurs. A sperm and an egg unite to form a zygote.
- Week 4: The blastocyst implants itself in the uterine wall. The placenta and the amniotic sac begin to form. By the end of the fourth week, the blastocyst is about the size of a poppy seed.
Month 2 (weeks 5-8)
Many people find out they are pregnant at this time. A urine pregnancy test that can be done at home will show a ``positive`` result by now.
- Week 5: The neural tube (brain and spinal cord) is forming. The tiny heart begins to beat about 110 times per minute.
- Week 6: The arms and legs start to look like little knobs. Blood circulation begins. The areas where the ears, eyes, and mouth will form appear. The doctor may be able to detect a heartbeat with a vaginal ultrasound scan.
- Week 7: Bones begin to form. Sexual organs begin to develop. The head appears larger than the rest of the body.
- Week 8: All major organs and systems are forming. There is a membrane between the fingers and toes. The umbilical cord is well formed and provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby.
After 8 weeks, we call this embryo a ``fetus.`` By the end of the second month, the baby is about the size of a bean, which is about an inch long.
Month 3 (Weeks 9-12)
The baby's growth is very rapid during this time.
- Week 9: Teeth and taste buds begin to develop. Muscles are developing. You may be able to hear the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler ultrasound.
- Week 10: Hands, feet, and fingers are fully formed. Nails are beginning to form.
- Week 11: Baby starts to do things like wiggle his hands and open and close his mouth. His knees and elbows are working. But you can't feel those movements yet.
- Week 12: All the major organs, limbs, and bones are in place. Now they need to continue developing. The baby starts to drink and urinate in the amniotic fluid that surrounds it.
The risk of miscarriage decreases significantly after 12 weeks, as the baby's most important developmental milestones have already occurred. For many mothers, morning sickness also subsides around this time.
By the end of the third month, the baby is about the size of a lemon, which is about 3 inches long.
Second Trimester (Second Trimester: Weeks 13-28)
Many people say that this is the best time to be pregnant. It's a time when the morning sickness has gone and your body is feeling a little more refreshed. This is also when you start to feel the baby moving and struggling inside the womb. You can often find out the baby's sex during the ``Anomaly scan'', which is done around 20 weeks.
Month 4 (weeks 13-16)
- Week 14: The baby's skin begins to thicken. Fine hairs (fur) develop.
- Week 16: Your baby's ears are well developed. He can hear what you say. He can respond to light, even with his eyes closed.
By the end of the fourth month, the baby is about the size of an avocado, which is about 5 inches long.
Month 5 (weeks 17-20)
- Week 17: A white, cheesy substance called ``Vernix`` forms on the baby's skin. This is to prevent damage to the skin from being exposed to the amniotic fluid for a long time.
- Week 18: The baby's entire body is covered in fine hair (lanugo). This helps regulate the baby's body temperature.
- Week 19: The baby is now very strong. You will start to feel the baby's movements and movements.
- Week 20: Parts of the brain related to the five senses begin to develop.
By the end of the fifth month, the baby is about 10 inches long and weighs about 1 pound.
Month 6 (weeks 21-24)
- Week 22: The baby can hear your heartbeat, your stomach rumbling, and your breathing.
- Week 23: If a premature birth occurs after this week, doctors may be able to keep the baby alive under treatment in an intensive care unit.
- Week 24: The baby's lungs are fully formed, but they are not yet mature enough to function outside the womb.
By the end of the sixth month, the baby is about 1 foot long and weighs about 2 pounds.
Month 7 (weeks 25-28)
- Week 26: The baby's lungs begin to produce a substance called ``Surfactant.'' This helps a lot with breathing after birth.
- Week 27: The baby can open and close its eyes. The eyelids are also formed.
- Week 28: The baby may start to turn head down in preparation for birth.
By the end of the seventh month, the baby is about 14-15 inches long and weighs about 2-3 pounds.
Third Trimester (Third Trimester: Weeks 29-40)
This is the final stage of pregnancy. You start counting the days and are eager to see your baby soon. Every week during this time is very important to prepare for the birth of your baby. The baby's weight is increasing rapidly during this time. Your doctor will check you frequently during this time. At first, he will ask you to come to the clinic every two weeks, and eventually once a week.
Month 8 (weeks 29-32)
- Week 29: Since the baby now has less space in the womb, it may feel more like a finger poke than a bump.
- Week 30: The baby's brain is developing rapidly.
- Week 32: Except for the lungs and brain, most of the other organs are mature and ready for birth.
By the end of the eighth month, the baby is 17-18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds.
Month 9 (weeks 33-36)
- Week 33: All of the baby's bones are getting stronger, except for the skull bones. The skull bones are soft so they can come out easily during birth.
- Week 36: The baby's fine hair (lanugo) is disappearing. Hair is growing on the head.
By the end of the ninth month, the baby is 17-19 inches long and weighs about 6-7 pounds.
Month 10 (weeks 37-40)
You can go into labor at any time during this last month.
- Week 37: The baby's position changes, preparing for birth. Often the head turns down and drops into the pelvis.
- Week 39: Baby is now fully developed (Full-term) and ready to enter the world!
- Week 40: This is the week of your expected due date. If you have any signs of labor, call your doctor right away.
Let's learn about the last weeks of pregnancy.
You've probably heard doctors use different terms when talking about the final weeks of your pregnancy. These terms refer to whether your baby will be born on time, early, or late. This is important in determining the potential complications your baby may face.
| Classification (Term) | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Early-term | From 37 weeks to 38 weeks and 6 days |
| Full-time | From 39 weeks to 40 weeks and 6 days |
| Late-term | From 41 weeks to 41 weeks and 6 days |
| Post-term | 42 weeks and beyond |
Some common questions you may have
How soon can I know if I'm pregnant?
From the moment you conceive, your body produces a hormone called `(Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin - HCG)`. This is the hormone that is detected by home urine tests. However, it takes a while for the levels of this hormone to increase to a level that can be detected by a test. Usually, you can only know this for sure three to four weeks after your last period.
When should I see a doctor about a new pregnancy?
After a home pregnancy test confirms that you are pregnant, call your doctor as soon as possible to schedule your first appointment.
As you talk, the doctor asks you if you are taking a prenatal vitamin. This contains folic acid . Folic acid is essential for the proper development of the baby's brain and spinal cord (neural tube). That's why doctors advise you to take folic acid before you get pregnant. If you haven't already, the doctor will tell you to start as soon as possible.
Every week and every day of your baby's development is precious. If you have any questions, concerns, or fears during this amazing journey, never be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Baby development is a complex and amazing process that takes place from the moment of conception to birth.
- The three main stages of development are the germinal, embryonic, and fetal stages.
- The most critical developments occur in the first trimester (the first 12 weeks) . During this time, all of the baby's major organs are formed.
- The risk of miscarriage decreases significantly after 12 weeks.
- Your baby starts hearing things like your voice and your heartbeat while still in the womb. So talk to your baby and sing songs to him.
- It is very important to start taking folic acid as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
- If you have any questions about your pregnancy or your baby's development, never hesitate to discuss them with your doctor.
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