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Your Baby's Development
 
Little, if anything, is more amazing and miraculous than the development of your growing baby. We have great insight into fetal development and thorough the use of ultrasound and other medical testing can determine how a baby is growing during the stages of pregnancy.

Here is a general month by month overview of fetal development:

Month 1
Fetal development during this month is huge! By the end of this stage of pregnancy your baby has gone from being a cluster of cells to an embryo. Your baby has begun to develop a heart and digestive system. Your baby is about a ¼ of an inch long by the end of this month.



Month 2
During month 2 of pregnancy your baby begins to develop facial features. By the end of this month your baby also has a functioning heart. Your baby at this stage of pregnancy measures about 1 1/8 inches long.

Month 3
Fetal development during month 3 consists of the limbs beginning to form. By the end of this stage of pregnancy your baby beings to look like a baby! Your baby will even have fingerprints by the end of this month and measures in at about 2 1/3 to 3 inches long and weighs about ½ to 1 ounce. At week 9, your baby is officially called a fetus.

Month 4
Month 4 marks the stage of fetal development where your baby begins to develop reflexes and her skeleton begins to harden. Your baby’s gender may also be identifiable by ultrasound at the end of this month. If you were to have an ultrasound, you even may catch your baby sucking her thumb. Your baby measures in at about 6 ½ to 7 inches in length and weighs about 6 to 7 ounces.

Month 5
During this stage of development your baby beings to develop lots of hair. You may even be able to feel your baby’s movements during this period of fetal development. By the end of this month, your baby measures about 8 to 10 inches and weighs about 1 lb. Your baby also develops eyelids and eyebrows during this month.

Month 6
During month 6, muscle development occurs in your baby. Your baby’s eyes may even open and shut during this stage of development. By the end of month 6, your baby measures in at about 11-14 inches and weighs about 1 ¾ to 2 pounds.

Month 7
Your baby begins to pack on layers of fat during month 7. Organ development continues and if a baby was to be born after week 24, if proper medical care was available the baby may survive. Your baby now measures in at 14 to 16 inches and weighs about 2 to 4 pounds.

Month 8
This stage of fetal development is one of rapid growth. Most organs are developed by the end of this month and brain growth is huge. Your baby may have fingernails that extend past her fingertips and taste buds are developing. By the end of this month your baby may measure in at 16 ½ to 18 inches and weighs about 4 to 6 pounds.

Month 9
By the end of month 9 your baby is developed and continues to grow and mature, although lung maturity will continue until birth. By the end of month 9 your baby measures in at about 19 to 20 inches and weighs about 7 to 7 ½ pounds.

 
PREGNANCY  
General Introduction to Pregnancy
Your Changing Body + Pregnancy
Your Baby’s Development
Potential Pregnancy Complications
Labor and Delivery
View all 
PARENTING  
General Introduction to Parenting
Child Nutrition
Childcare and Education
Sleep in the Early Years
Baby Milestones
View all 

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