Fetal Development

Seven Weeks By seven weeks, your baby has grown into an embryo about the size of a raspberry and has a tiny beating heart. Head, mouth, liver, and intestines begin to take shape. Facial features are visible, including a mouth and tongue. The eyes have a retina and lens. The major muscle system is developed, and the unborn child practices moving. The child has its own blood type, distinct from the mother's. These blood cells are produced by the liver now instead of the yolk sac.

Fetus at 7 Weeks

Two Months Your baby is now about the size of a kidney bean and is constantly moving and shifting. She has distinct, slightly webbed fingers. The arms and legs have lengthened, and fingers can be seen. The toes will develop in the next few days. Brain waves can be measured.

Two Months The child's spontaneous movements can be observed. The nervous system is responsive and many of the internal organs begin to function. Vocal chords are complete, and the child can and does sometimes cry (silently). The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. The fetus may even suck his thumb.

Four Months Your baby is now about 41⁄2 inches long -- the size of an avocado. Her heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day and her body is covered with a layer of downy hair called lanugo. The child blinks, grasps, and moves her mouth. The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

Five Months The fetus now weighs approximately 1/2 a pound and spans about 10 inches from head to toe. Sweat glands develop, and the external skin has turned from transparent to opaque. A protective substance called vernix caseosa now coats your baby's skin.

Five Months The child can hear and recognize her mother's voice. Though still small and fragile, the baby is growing rapidly and could possibly survive if born at this stage. Fingernails and fingerprints appear. Sex organs are visible. Using an ultrasound device, the doctor can tell if the child is a girl or a boy.

Six Months Your baby is nearly a foot long now and weighs more than a pound. Her red, translucent skin is wrinkled and her lips, eyebrows, and eyelids are distinct. The fetus can now inhale, exhale and even cry. Eyes have completely formed, and the tongue has developed taste buds. The child practices breathing by inhaling amnionic fluid into developing lungs. Under intensive medical care the fetus has a over a 50% chance of surviving outside the womb.

Six Months

Seven Months

By now, your baby weighs about 21⁄4 pounds and is nearly 15 inches long. His body fat is beginning to form in preparation for life outside the womb. For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the fetus. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well.

Eight Months Your baby may have hair or peach fuzz on her head now. She's probably turned head-down in preparation for birth. The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming. She may weigh almost 4 pounds

Eight Months

Nine Months At nine months, the average baby is more than 18 inches long and nearly 6 pounds. At birth the placenta will detach from the side of the uterus and the umbilical cord will cease working as the child takes his first breaths of air. The child's breathing will trigger changes in the structure of the heart and bypass arteries which will force all blood to now travel through the lungs