Baby growth in 5 weeks
5 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Cramping & More
Feeling pregnant?
You may be growing more aware of early pregnancy symptoms, including fatigue, achy or swollen breasts, nausea, and the need to pee more often.
Announcing your pregnancy
There are no hard and fast rules about when to announce your pregnancy. Many expecting parents wait until late in the first trimester, but it's up to you.
Having twins
The likelihood of twins is about 3 out of 100 for most people, but chances are as high as 30 percent if you had certain fertility treatments. Women typically discover they're having more than one baby during an ultrasound in the first trimester.
5 weeks is how many months?
You're in your second month!
Baby development at 5 weeks
Tiny embryo
Deep in your uterus an embryo is growing at a furious pace, and it looks more like a tadpole than a human. The embryo is made up of three layers – the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm – which will later form all of the organs and tissues.
Brain development
Your baby's brain, spinal cord, and nerves form from the neural tube, which is starting to develop from the embryo's top layer – the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.
Heart development
The heart and circulatory system begin to form in the embryo's middle layer, or mesoderm. The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and the tissue under the skin.
Lungs and gut
The third layer, or endoderm, will become the lungs, intestines, and early urinary system, as well as the thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.
Your baby at 5 weeks Tap the plus for more details
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Your baby is about the size of a sesame seed
Pregnancy symptoms during week 5
Frequent urination
Pregnancy hormones plus your body's increasing blood volume may equal a near-constant need to pee.
During pregnancy, running to the bathroom much more than you'd like is a fact of life. It's important to stay hydrated, but you may want to cut back on fluids late in the day so you don't have to get up to pee as frequently at night.
Tender, swollen breasts
Breast tenderness is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Increased hormone levels boost blood flow, which may make your breasts feel swollen, sore, tingly, and unusually sensitive to touch.
Fatigue
No one knows for sure what causes bone-crushing exhaustion in early pregnancy, but it's likely that hormonal changes are to blame. Most women find that their energy returns in the second trimester. Until then, try to get more sleep, lighten your load, ask others for help, and take good care of yourself.
Spotting
About 1 in 4 women experience spotting or light bleeding during the first trimester. It's often nothing, but sometimes it's a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Call your doctor or midwife just in case.
And if you're actively bleeding or you have severe pain and can't reach your provider, head to the emergency department right away.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness – also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy – affects different expecting moms at different times (and some not at all). It usually starts around week 5 or 6 of pregnancy. For some women, that telltale queasy feeling is one of the first giveaways that they're pregnant. There are safe ways to get relief from morning sickness, including changes to your diet and lifestyle, natural remedies, and medication. Be sure to talk to your provider if you're suffering.
Food aversions
Does the smell of your coworker's lunch suddenly make your stomach churn? Food aversions often start around now. Most expecting moms experience them, thanks to changing hormones and a heightened sense of smell. Some of the most common aversions include meat, coffee, eggs, dairy, and foods with a lot of spices or fat. To cope, try eating bland or cold foods.
If cooking makes you sick, ask a loved one to cook for you or get takeout.
Don't see your symptom?
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
Your body at 5 weeks Tap the plus for more details
Pregnancy checklist at 5 weeks pregnant
Choose a pregnancy healthcare provider
If you already have an ob-gyn or midwife you love, you're set. If not, start doing some research. Talk to friends and relatives, ask one of your other providers to recommend someone, check out the preferred providers under your health insurance plan, or search online. Find out more about what to consider when choosing a doctor or midwife.
Put together a family health history
Talk to relatives on both sides about your families' medical histories. Your provider will want to know whether any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities run in either of your families.
Get our pregnancy app
For expert pregnancy info, helpful tools, and detailed fetal development images, download BabyCenter's free pregnancy and baby app.
Take your prenatal vitamin
If you haven't started taking a prenatal vitamin yet, now's the time to start. It's particularly critical to get enough folic acid now, because it greatly reduces your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
Cut down on caffeine
Studies have linked high caffeine consumption to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. That's why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises expectant moms to limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day or less (that's about one large cup of coffee).
5 weeks pregnant bellies
At 5 weeks pregnant, your belly may be starting to look slightly different – perhaps like you had a big lunch. For some women, abdominal bloating due to hormonal changes is an early sign of pregnancy. That's why your clothes may feel more snug than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small.
Or, you may not see any changes yet.
There's no one-size-fits-all formula for how and when women show during pregnancy.
During the first trimester, nausea and vomiting may keep you from feeling like eating much. That's fine: Your baby-to-be is tiny at this point, and you don't need to eat any extra calories. It's typical to gain about 3 to 5 pounds in the first trimester (and it's okay if you don't gain any weight at all).
Some women lose weight in early pregnancy. In most cases, this weight loss isn't dangerous. If you're losing a lot of weight, though, or if you think you may be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness), tell your provider right away.
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Pregnancy at week 5 | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
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Your baby
By week 5, your baby has burrowed into the wall of your uterus.
It is now called an embryo and measures about 2mm from end to end. The foundations for all of the major organs are in place. The baby is inside an amniotic sac, a bag of fluid that protects it.
The cells in the baby are still dividing. In week 5, the brain and spinal column are already starting to form. The spinal cord is called the neural tube and is developing as an open groove. Your baby’s head is much larger than the rest of the body at this stage as the brain and face are developing very rapidly.
Your baby’s heart will start beating this week. The blood vessels are already starting to form and blood is circulating in the baby’s body. A string of blood vessels connects you to your baby, and this will eventually become the umbilical cord.
Your baby at 5 weeks
| Length: | 2mm |
Your body
Week 5 is when most women start to wonder whether they may be pregnant. You will have missed your period, but you may be feeling like it’s just about to start.
You may notice your breasts are larger and feel sore, and you may be feeling quite tired.
Some women may feel nauseous, or notice they need to go to the toilet more often than usual.
You will also be producing more human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Things to remember
You can do a pregnancy test the day after you miss your period. There are many different tests available, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
If the pregnancy test shows you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible. They will confirm you are pregnant and advise you on how to look after yourself and your baby.
Finding out you’re pregnant can be very exciting. But for some women, pregnancy is unplanned. Whether the baby was planned or not, you may feel a range of emotions from joy to surprise to shock.
It’s important not to drink any alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take illicit drugs if you’re pregnant since these can all be very harmful for your baby.
Read next
Your pregnancy at 6 weeks
Learn about your pregnancy journey and what is happening to you and your baby.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Sources:
Raising Children Network (Pregnancy week-by-week), Women's and Children's Health Network (The first 3 months of pregnancy: the first trimester), Parenthub (5 weeks pregnant), Australian Journal of General Practice (Preconception care)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: August 2020
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- Pregnancy week-by-week
- Third trimester
- Second trimester
- First trimester
Need more information?
5 weeks pregnant: Doctor appointments
Week 5 of pregnancy is the best time to have a pregnancy test.
You can use a home pregnancy test but it’s still important to visit your doctor so that they can estimate your pregnancy due date. This may involve an early pregnancy ultrasound. You should also receive pregnancy health advice and discuss pregnancy folate supplements in the fifth week of pregnancy if you have not already done so. It’s also a good time to make sure you’re eating all the right pregnancy foods and start your pregnancy exercise routine.
Read more on Parenthub website
5 weeks pregnant: Key points
The fifth week of pregnancy begins around the time your menstrual bleeding is due and is a good time to take a pregnancy test to confirm that you are pregnant. You are also likely to begin experiencing pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, morning sickness and changes to your breasts this week. Your baby is still only about 1.5mm long but it is developing rapidly and taking on a more human form.
If you have not already visited your doctor the 5th week of pregnancy is a good time to do so.
Read more on Parenthub website
5 weeks pregnant: Changes for mum
Week 5 of pregnancy is probably when you’ll know that you’re pregnant because your period is missing. There are also subtle changes in your body which are symptoms of pregnancy such as changes to your breasts, and pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and pregnancy heartburn. These changes are caused by pregnancy hormones, like hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, produced by the placenta) which is the hormone detected by a pregnancy test.
Read more on Parenthub website
Week by week pregnancy- 6 weeks pregnant
6 weeks pregnant is a time when embryo development is occurring rapidly and pregnant women often start experiencing pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness.
Pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), the hormone a pregnancy test detects, is usually evident in the woman’s blood in the sixth week of pregnancy. Antenatal care should be provided at a doctor appointment for women who have not already checked their pregnancy health. Find out more about the pregnancy changes which occur this week.
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4 weeks pregnant: Key points
When you are 4 weeks pregnant your body and your new baby are undergoing rapid changes.
The placenta forms and begins producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is the substance a pregnancy test detects to confirm you are pregnant. The cells which are growing into your new baby establish membranes which connect them to the placenta and prepare themselves for differentiation into different types of cells, which will occur next week when you are 5 weeks pregnant. These developments may cause you to experience unusual emotions and also cause changes in your body such as darkening of the areolas of your nipples.
Read more on Parenthub website
Week by week pregnancy- antenatal care at 7 weeks pregnant
Your doctor can look at your foetus’s features to determine how old they are – find out how. You need to talk to your doctor if you experience very severe morning sickness as you may not be getting all the nutrients you and your baby need or early pregnancy spotting (spot bleeding) as you may be at risk of miscarriage.
Read more on Parenthub website
Pregnancy at week 15
By week 15, your baby may be able to respond to sound and light, while you are gaining weight and your skin and hair are changing.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
1 week pregnant
The first week of pregnancy occurs before you actually conceive your new baby. It’s a little confusing - doctors begin counting the weeks of your pregnancy from the date your last menstrual bleeding started, not from the date you conceived. Conception, that very important moment at which your partner’s sperm fertilises your egg, does not occur until approximately two weeks after the start of your last period. However, your body is already preparing itself for pregnancy, should conception occur, so this week officially marks the beginning of the pregnancy.
Read more on Parenthub website
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5-8 weeks of pregnancy
The fifth week for a baby
The fifth week of embryo development is significant for the separation of the body of the unborn child and extra-embryonic auxiliary structures - the yolk sac, amniotic bladder, chorion. The process of active formation of organs and tissues continues. At this time, the birth of all the main systems of the future organism is taking place.
At the fifth week, the size of the embryo is 1.2-1.5 mm. It is possible to see the anterior pole - the place of the future head, as well as the posterior pole - the place of the future legs. The formation of the body occurs according to the law of symmetry - a chord is laid along, which is the axis of symmetry. It is around it that the laying of future symmetrical internal organs takes place. In the future, some of them will be formed by merging the rudiments (liver, heart), and some will remain double (lungs, kidneys, etc.).
The fetus in this period is in a curved state and looks like the letter C. By the end of the fifth week, the heart begins to pulsate, which has already formed. From the middle germ layer (mesoderm) begins the formation of the pancreas, liver, lungs, thyroid gland, trachea and larynx.
On the fifth allotment, the formation of the central nervous system also begins. The cells, which were previously located flat, begin to roll up, i.e., the formation of the neural tube occurs.
The viability of the fetus is largely dependent on the complete closure of the tube, so the fifth week is of great importance. Folic acid is able to contribute to the high-quality closure of the tube. Therefore, when planning a pregnancy, specialists recommend taking drugs containing this substance. Also, folic acid is needed throughout the first trimester, but its role is especially important during 5-7 weeks. Along the tube there are bulges from which the formation of the brain sections will occur.
The processes located along the neural tube are called somites and represent future muscles.
Also, the fifth week is characterized by the beginning of the formation of germ cells in the embryo - this is another important moment in his life. In future people, at the stage of early development, the rudiments of eggs and spermatozoa are already laid.
Expectant mother at the fifth week
The period of five weeks is quite early, so if changes occur in the female body, they are insignificant.
At this time, the cycle delay is one week, which not every woman pays attention to. If she is aware of her situation, thoughtfulness, peace, or, conversely, high activity may appear.
Odor intolerance and nausea are likely from the fifth week. Most women are prone to early toxicosis, which manifests itself in the form of vomiting, which usually occurs in the morning. Toxicosis can be both mild and severe. The second is accompanied by incessant vomiting. Women who are faced with a severe form of toxicosis are subject to hospitalization.
A feeling of heaviness in the chest or slight pain when pressed is also a sign of early pregnancy.
Sixth week for baby
During the sixth week, the embryo grows from approximately 3 mm to 6-7 mm. At this time, the shape of the embryo is cylindrical and resembles to a certain extent the embryo of a fish. The rudiments of arms and legs appear along the body, which in the sixth week have the form of processes. The arms are formed faster than the lower extremities; by the end of the sixth week, the rudiments of the hands are formed.
The legs are not yet formed at the moment and remain in the rudimentary stage. At this time, the tube must completely close, and the rudiments of the hemispheres are formed from the brain bubbles.
The heart at this stage is characterized by intensive development and active pulsation. Inside this organ, division into chambers and compartments occurs, ventricles and atria appear. If you use highly sensitive ultrasound equipment, the heartbeat of the fetus can already be caught. 100-160 beats per minute at this stage makes the heart.
Also on the sixth week, the digestive tube is formed, which ends with the formation of the large and small intestines, stomach.
The sex glands continue to develop, the ureters are formed. An important process at this stage is the formation of chorionic villi, i.e., the laying of the future placenta. The sixth week is marked by the active stage of vascular growth and the "training" of the placenta. Of course, as a separate organ, the placenta has not yet formed and does not fulfill its functions, but the first trial steps are already being taken - there is an exchange of blood between the mother and the embryo, such an exchange is the precursor of future blood circulation.
The sixth week for the expectant mother
If the cycle is delayed by two weeks, which corresponds to the sixth obstetric week, the manifestations of toxicosis may increase in a woman. Nausea often leads to vomiting. If this happens more than two or three times a day, you should contact a specialist. In the chest, vascular permeability changes due to changes in the hormonal background. Therefore, a periodic sensation of tingling may join the feeling of fullness of the glands.
A woman in the sixth week is often accompanied by irritability, drowsiness, fatigue and weakness. All of these symptoms are the result of the influence of the hormonal background, which tries to create the best conditions for the development of the child. Experts note that the severity of the course of toxicosis directly depends on the emotional state of the woman. Therefore, the expectant mother should limit physical activity, avoid stressful situations, provide positive emotions and good mood.
Women may develop new taste preferences. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to ensure the comfort of the expectant mother, but one should not forget about common sense when choosing a diet. Even if it attracts to harmful products, they should not be consumed, of course, smoking and alcohol are contraindicated. It is undesirable to use smoked meats and any products containing chemical elements. The more correct the diet, the more benefits it can bring to the unborn baby.
Special attention should be paid to the water balance. Dehydration can only aggravate toxicosis, so it is important to monitor the amount of fluid consumed. Sometimes fruits, water and juices even become the only possible food for a woman.
Seventh week for a baby
At this age, the embryo reaches a length of 8-11 mm, its weight at the seventh week is less than a gram. The head is equal in size to half the body, while the shape of the body is arched. You can see in the lower part of the pelvic end a continuation of the coccyx, which outwardly resembles a tail.
On the seventh week, the formation of the embryo occurs quite intensively. On the hands, you can already see the interdigital spaces, but there is no division into individual fingers yet. The embryo begins to develop a face, on which a nasal fossa appears. In this place, a nose is formed a little later. Also in the seventh week, the initial development of the auricles occurs. They begin to form from two elevations on the head, both jaws are formed.
The seventh week is characterized by such an important event as the formation of the circulatory system of the female body and the fetus, as well as the umbilical cord. There is uteroplacental blood flow. From now on, tissue respiration and nutrition of the fetus occur through maternal blood. The unborn child falls under the protection of the mother's body. The future placenta (chorion) not only nourishes the embryo, but also acts as a protective filter, preventing harmful microorganisms and toxins that can significantly harm the fetus.
The seventh week for the future mother
From the seventh week, the growth of the uterus begins in a woman, this can be determined by a specialist during a gynecological examination. At this stage, many expectant mothers have an increase in the abdomen, which is one of the main signs of pregnancy. The growth of the uterus and the size of the embryo cannot cause an increase in the abdomen. This is due to the action of progesterone, which leads to lethargy of the intestinal loops, as well as a decrease in the tone of the anterior abdominal wall. Bloating occurs, which is the cause of visible changes in the abdomen.
Increased urination is a consequence of the fact that the total volume of blood in the female body increases. Such a change will accompany the expectant mother throughout the pregnancy and will especially manifest itself in the last trimester. If pain occurs during urination, then there is a reason for a visit to the doctor, since this is not considered the norm.
Changes in bowel function are possible, constipation and diarrhea can occur with equal probability. The reasons may be a change in the usual diet or hormonal levels. Since regular daily stools ensure the timely removal of toxins from the body of the expectant mother, it must be carefully monitored. If you have problems with bowel movements, you should consult a specialist.
Eighth week for baby
The embryo is 15-20 mm long by the beginning of the eighth week and 40 mm by the end of it. The mass of the embryo is five grams. After the eighth week, the embryonic period ends and the fetal period begins. After eight weeks, experts no longer use the term embryo, the unborn child is called the fetus until it is born. The main features of the eighth week are the intensive development and modification of the embryo. There is a straightening of the body, and it is increasingly divided into segments - limbs, head and torso.
At this stage, the nervous system is actively developing.
Also on the eighth week, the brain is divided into sections, the hemispheres are more clearly outlined, convolutions are formed.
The face of the unborn child becomes more prominent, ears, nostrils, eyes are formed. By the end of the eighth week, the upper lip is fully connected, and the face looks quite distinctly formed.
The process of ossification of the skull, arms and legs belongs to the features of this period. Bones harden. The formation of the fingers occurs, and the large one becomes isolated and opposed to the palm. Large joints (elbows and knees) are formed.
Brain structures, which are responsible for muscle tone, and the muscular system itself are also being actively formed. This allows the embryo to perform a variety of movements. The development of the digestive tract is almost completed by the end of this week. The intestines and stomach are supplied with nerve endings, which in the future will be able to provide motor functions of the gastrointestinal tract, the cavities of the kidneys, heart, bladder and ureters are formed.
The vascular system develops in the future placenta. The chorionic villi penetrate deeply into the wall of the uterus. Utero-placental circulation becomes full. The complex supply of the growing fetus is provided by the vessels of the umbilical cord, through which it receives blood enriched with oxygen and a variety of nutrients. Also, through these vessels, metabolic products and carbon dioxide are removed.
The eighth week for the expectant mother
The eighth week does not bring significant changes to the woman's body. All manifestations of toxicosis do not change their character, but are already much easier to bear. This is due to the fact that by this time pregnant women get used to their condition and find factors that facilitate it and create comfort. These can be certain foods, good sleep, one or another diet, walks, etc.
In this material, the gestational age is indicated as obstetric, that is, it is calculated from the first day of the preceding pregnancy menstruation.
Weekly development of the child | Regional Perinatal Center
Expectant mothers are always curious about how the fetus develops at a time when it is awaited with such impatience. Let's talk and look at the photos and pictures of how the fetus grows and develops week by week.
What does the puffer do for 9 whole months in mom's tummy? What does he feel, see and hear?
Let's start the story about the development of the fetus by weeks from the very beginning - from the moment of fertilization. A fetus up to 8 weeks old is called embryo , this occurs before the formation of all organ systems.
Embryo development: 1st week
The egg is fertilized and begins to actively split. The ovum travels to the uterus, freeing itself from the membrane along the way.
On the 6th-8th days, implantation of eggs is carried out - introduction into the uterus. The egg settles on the surface of the uterine mucosa and, using the chorionic villi, attaches to the uterine mucosa.
Embryo development: 2-3 weeks
Picture of embryo development at 3 weeks.
The embryo is actively developing, starting to separate from the membranes. At this stage, the beginnings of the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems are formed. Therefore, this period of pregnancy is considered important.
Embryo development: 4-7 weeks
Fetal development by week in pictures: week 4
Fetal development by week photo: week 4
Photo of an embryo before the 6th week of pregnancy.
The heart, head, arms, legs and tail are formed in the embryo :) . Gill slit is defined. The length of the embryo at the fifth week reaches 6 mm.
Fetal development by week photo: week 5
At the 7th week, the rudiments of the eyes, stomach and chest are determined, and fingers appear on the handles.
The baby already has a sense organ - the vestibular apparatus. The length of the embryo is up to 12 mm.
Fetal development: 8th week
Fetal development by week photo: week 7-8
The face of the fetus can be identified, the mouth, nose, and auricles can be distinguished. The head of the embryo is large and its length corresponds to the length of the body; the fetal body is formed. All significant, but not yet fully formed, elements of the baby's body already exist. The nervous system, muscles, skeleton continue to improve.
Fetal development in the photo already sensitive arms and legs: week 8
The fetus developed skin sensitivity in the mouth area (preparation for the sucking reflex), and later in the face and palms.
At this stage of pregnancy, the genitals are already visible. Gill slits die. The fruit reaches 20 mm in length.
Fetal development: 9–10 weeks
Fetal development by week photo: week 9
Fingers and toes already with nails.
The fetus begins to move in the pregnant woman's stomach, but the mother does not feel it yet. With a special stethoscope, you can hear the baby's heartbeat. Muscles continue to develop.
Fetal development by weeks photo: week 10
The entire surface of the fetal body is sensitive and the baby develops tactile sensations with pleasure, touching his own body, the walls of the amniotic sac and the umbilical cord. It is very curious to observe this on ultrasound. By the way, the baby first moves away from the ultrasound sensor (of course, because it is cold and unusual!), And then puts his hands and heels trying to touch the sensor.
It's amazing when a mother puts her hand to her stomach, the baby tries to master the world and tries to touch with his pen "from the back".
Development of the fetus: 11–14 weeks
The development of the fetus in the photo of the legs: Week 11
The baby, legs and eyelids are formed, and the genitals become distinguishable (you can find out the floor (you can find out the gender child).
The fetus begins to swallow, and if something is not to its taste, for example, if something bitter got into the amniotic fluid (mother ate something), then the baby will begin to frown and stick out his tongue, making less swallowing movements.
Fetal development by week photo: week 15
The skin turns pink, the ears and other parts of the body, including the face, are already visible. Imagine, a child can already open his mouth and blink, as well as make grasping movements. The fetus begins to actively push in the mother's tummy. The sex of the fetus can be determined by ultrasound.
Fetal development: 19-23 weeks
Fetal development by week photo: week 19
Baby sucks his thumb, becomes more energetic. Pseudo-feces are formed in the intestines of the fetus - meconium , kidneys begin to work. During this period, the brain develops very actively.
Fetal development by week photo: week 20
The auditory ossicles become stiff and now they are able to conduct sounds, the baby hears his mother - heartbeat, breathing, voice.
The fetus intensively gains weight, fat deposits are formed. The weight of the fetus reaches 650 g, and the length is 300 mm.
The lungs at this stage of fetal development are so developed that the baby can survive in the artificial conditions of the intensive care unit.
Fetal development: 24-27 weeks
Lungs continue to develop. Now the baby is already falling asleep and waking up. Downy hairs appear on the skin, the skin becomes wrinkled and covered with grease. The cartilage of the ears and nose is still soft.
Fetal development by week photo: week 27
Lips and mouth become more sensitive. The eyes develop, open slightly and can perceive light and squint from direct sunlight. In girls, the labia majora do not yet cover the small ones, and in boys, the testicles have not yet descended into the scrotum. Fetal weight reaches 900–1200 g, and the length is 350 mm.
9 out of 10 children born at this term survive.
Fetal development: 28-32 weeks
The lungs are now adapted to breathe normal air. Breathing is rhythmic and body temperature is controlled by the CNS. The baby can cry and responds to external sounds.
Child opens eyes while awake and closes during sleep.
The skin becomes thicker, smoother and pinkish. Starting from this period, the fetus will actively gain weight and grow rapidly. Almost all babies born prematurely at this time are viable. The weight of the fetus reaches 2500 g, and the length is 450 mm.
Fetal development: 33–37 weeks
Fetal development by week photo: week 36
The fetus reacts to a light source. Muscle tone increases and the baby can turn and raise his head. On which, the hairs become silky. The child develops a grasping reflex. The lungs are fully developed.
Fetal development: 38-42 weeks
The fetus is quite developed, prepared for birth and considered mature.
The baby has mastered over 70 different reflex movements. Due to the subcutaneous fatty tissue, the baby's skin is pale pink. The head is covered with hairs up to 3 cm.
Fetal development by weeks photo: week 40
The baby perfectly mastered the movements of his mother , knows when she is calm, excited, upset and reacts to this with her movements. During the intrauterine period, the fetus gets used to moving in space, which is why babies love it so much when they are carried in their arms or rolled in a stroller. For a baby, this is a completely natural state, so he will calm down and fall asleep when he is shaken.
Nails protrude beyond the tips of the fingers, the cartilages of the ears and nose are elastic. In boys, the testicles have descended into the scrotum, and in girls, the large labia cover the small ones. The weight of the fetus reaches 3200-3600 g, and the length is 480-520 mm.
After being born, the baby longs for touching his body, because at first he cannot feel himself - the arms and legs do not obey the child as confidently as it was in the amniotic fluid.
