Fetal Development During Early Pregnancy

Fetal development during the first month
The 40 week countdown begins on the first day of your last menstrual period, even though you’re not yet pregnant. Conception won’t occur until around week two, though you won’t feel pregnant right away. By week three, your pregnancy will consist of a fertilized egg inside your uterus. Your baby’s genetics have already been determined. Around seven to 10 days after conception, implantation will occur. The embryo is now embedded in the lining of your womb. The brain, spinal cord and heart are already starting to develop.

By week four, your baby’s spine and organs are starting to develop. The placenta is developing too, and this will allow nutrients to reach your baby during the pregnancy. The placenta will also start producing the pregnancy hormone, hCG, so you may start to notice early symptoms of pregnancy around this time. Morning sickness, fatigue and a heightened sense of smell are all common during this time.

Fetal development during the second month
Your baby’s heart will start beating sometime around day 21. By week five, your baby’s facial features are starting to develop. By week six, your baby looks like one of those tadpole-like fetuses you may remember from science lessons. Your baby may only be around the size of a grain of rice, but the arm and leg buds are starting to form.

In week seven, your baby’s tooth buds, pancreas and appendix are starting to grow. Your baby’s hair and nipple buds are even starting to develop. Your baby’s sex was determined at fertilisation, but in week eight your baby will begin to grow testes or ovaries. Your baby’s fingers, toes and tongue are starting to develop too. In this week, your baby’s bones will start to develop, as well.

Fetal development in the third month
In week nine, your baby reaches the end of the embryonic stage and officially becomes a fetus. Your baby’s organs are beginning to function now. Your baby is beginning to lose the tail, and is looking less and less like a tadpole with each passing day. In just a week the tail will have completely disappeared. Your baby’s facial features are also starting to look a little more human in week 10.

Week 11 is the start of a growth spurt, and your baby will double in size over the next three weeks. Your baby’s fingernails are developing this week. During week 11, the placenta will start functioning, circulating blood between the uterus and your baby. By week 12, your baby can kick, stretch and pull faces. Your baby’s organs are starting to work this week, and your baby has started to urinate the amniotic fluid consumed in the uterus.

Your baby develops rapidly during those first 12 weeks, and this is why some pregnant women feel exhausted during the first trimester. It’s hard work growing a person! Be sure to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy, balanced diet and stay hydrated.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Implantation Bleeding – 3 Weeks Pregnant

Around 7 days after fertilization, the ‘blastocyst’ which will eventually develop into your fetus, will implant itself into the soft and warm walls of the uterus. Due to the lovely influx of hormones, your uterus is ‘sticky’ and receptive to the implantation process. You may or may not know at this point that you are pregnant, because you haven’t quite missed your period yet. This implantation is what will spark the production of massive amount of pregnancy hormones that signal your body not to shed its lining (menstruate) and start the process of pregnancy.

When implantation occurs, you may feel some tinges of pain. In fact, during this phase of pregnancy, you may feel like you are on the verge of getting your period, experiencing the same symptoms that you do during PMS.  Your breasts may hurt, you may have cramping, and you may even have slight amounts of blood that are a result from the implantation process. If you know your body very well, and are paying attention – you will likely KNOW that something is going on. Most women just assume that they are not pregnant and are about to get their period, only to find out a few weeks later that all those cramps and tinges of blood was the baby nestling into the uterus.

Amazingly, behind the scenes and even before you may know that you are pregnant – the placenta is already starting to develop and cells are multiplying at phenomenal rates. If you have been trying to conceive, you may be eager to take a home pregnancy test, but really you should wait. At this point, the chances of getting a false negative are still very high considering the levels of hCG (the pregnancy hormone) are only starting to increase. (They double daily once implantation is complete)

The best time to take an over-the-counter pregnancy test is on the day that you expect your period. By this time, there is likely enough hCG in your system to register during your first morning urine. And, if you have experienced some light bleeding or cramping (which may have you confused about whether you are pregnant or not), there is no need to worry. You now know that it was just due to implantation. You may even experience some slight spotting during the same time as your period is due, which is normal in many women. If it continues or gets heavier, consult with your health care provider.

The amazing thing about this whole process is that it is practically invisible unless you had a powerful microscope. An amazing and beautiful reminder of just how awesome your body is.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.