Foetal Development

How does your fertilised egg develop into a beautiful plump baby in utero?

1st month milestones “poppy seed”: The vertebral column, neck, mouth, gut, pharynx, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, inner ear, eyes, urinary system and nervous system are forming with the fore-brain, mid-brain and hind-brain differentiated. Limb and lung buds are developing and blood is beginning to circulate. Did you know your little embryo’s heart begins beating on day 22 and can swallow amniotic fluid from day 24?

2nd month milestones “sesame seed”: Continuing development and functioning of the major systems and organs. The spleen appears, the facial bones are more detailed and the head is as large as half the body length. Tooth buds are forming and the limb buds developing into arms and legs with web plates distinguishing fingers and toes. Did you know from week 7 there are differences in the reproductive systems of male and females?

3rd month milestones: Now called a ‘fetus’ and approximately 5 cm, your vulnerable little one is awaiting maturation and growth. Fingernails and toenails are growing, arms and legs are fully formed and external genitalia exposed. The voice box has started to develop and hiccups may be occurring. Hopefully your morning sickness is starting to settle!

4th month milestone: Approximately 9 cm, your little fetus is covered in “lanugo” – very soft, fine downy hair. It is possible for your midwife to hear the heartbeat through a ‘doppler’ from week 16.

5th month milestones: Now approximately 18 cm long, you may be feeling light movements like a butterfly fluttering on the inside of your belly. The legs are proportionate to the body and fingernails fully grown. Very faint eyebrows may be seen.

6th month milestones: Your fetus may respond to music or sound and the body is now covered in a creamy substance called Vernix (don’t scrub this off after birth as it’s a great barrier cream!). The organs have fully formed and the skin is red, wrinkled and has little fat. If born now, your little one may survive in a neonatal intensive care unit.

7th month milestones: “hello there”, eyelids are no longer fused together and the lanugo hair begins to disappear as baby grows hair on the head. More fat is being deposited under the skin. The brain is continuing to develop and your fetus may start sucking its thumb or crying!

8th month milestones: By now you have probably given your baby a nickname as the karate kid given the amount of kicks and elbow jabs you have been receiving. Your little one is keeping eyes wide open when awake and is following light. Toenails are now present. If you have a boy, the testes migrate into the scrotum.

9th month milestones: You are nearly there!! You may feel a lot of pressure ‘down below’ as the head begins to engage down into the pelvis. Your baby is plump and healthy and toenails have fully grown to the length of the toe. Lungs have developed and the organs and body systems are fully functional. Some hair may still appear on forehead, ears and back.

GOOD LUCK! And remember to enjoy the journey, as the prize at the end is the most remarkable one yet…