Fetal Development Description - 1 thru 9 Months

Month 1, My heart started beating today! At fertilization a new human life begins, complete with his or her own unique set of DNA, which is present from the first day of life. The new little person's sex is also determined from the beginning. During the first amazing month of life the baby grows to 10,000 times his size at conception. By the third week the baby's heart begins to beat.

Month 2, I can suck my thumb now! The developing baby is now called a "fetus" which is Latin for "little one." She is making rapid progress developing all her external and internal organs. During the second month baby teeth form; fingers and toes are developing. Ears, nose, lips and tongue can now be clearly seen. Brain waves can now be recorded. The central nervous system is now functioning, and so forty muscle sets begin their first exercises. The skeleton changes from cartilage to bone. By 8 weeks all body systems are present. This little one can now suck her thumb.

Month 3, I grabbed my hand today! The baby can now squint, swallow, and move his tongue. He sleeps and awakens. Fingernails and toenails form. He now has his own unique set of fingerprints. Sensitive to touch, he will lightly grasp an object placed in the palm of his hand. He breathes amniotic fluid to help develop and strengthen the respiratory system, but he gets the oxygen he needs through the umbilical cord.

Month 4, I had a dream today! The baby’s brain has begun maturing—a process that will continue until she is about 14 years old. Her eyelids are now sealed shut and will re-open at 7 months. Her taste buds are now working. Nutrients consumed by her mother are passed on to her within an hour or two. Three hundred quarts of fluid a day are sent to the baby via the umbilical cord. Fine hair begins to grow on head, eyebrows and eyelashes. Facial expressions similar to the baby's parents can be seen at this time. This month rapid eye movements have been recorded—a sign of dreaming.

Month 5, Mommy felt me kick today! This month marks the half-way point to birth, and the baby is very active. Sleep habits develop and his mother can feel him move and stretch, particularly when she is resting. He is big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside uterine wall and dent it. Up to now, although he swam with ease in his watery world, he was too small for her to detect because the inside wall of the uterus has little feeling. Babies born at this age have survived.

Month 6, I rolled over today! The baby can now roll over inside the womb. Her oil and sweat glands are functioning. A white filmy layer called vernix covers the baby and protects her delicate skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. This waxy substance will be quickly absorbed into her skin soon after she is born. She can now respond to sound. Her lungs are fairly well developed and she would stand a good chance of survival if born at this time.

Month 7, I looked around today! Beginning this month the baby uses all four senses. His eyelids open and close and the eyes look around. The baby can taste, touch, cough, yawn, and hiccup. He now recognizes his mother's voice. His grip is even stronger now than it will be after his birth. The hair on his head is growing longer and the downy covering on the rest of his body is disappearing. During this time the baby will receive antibodies from his mother providing him immunity to a wide variety of diseases.

Month 8, I like to listen to my Mommy's voice! In the last two months the baby continues to gain weight. She is developing a layer of fat that will keep her warm after she is born. In the 9th month she will shift to a head-down position, preparing for her birth. Her lungs are now fully developed and capable of making the transition to breathing air. After birth she will continue the human growth process for many years to come...

Month 9, Here I am!