1 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development at Week One

It may seem strange, but your pregnancy journey begins before your baby even is conceived.

The first week of pregnancy actually begins with the start of your last menstrual period. Why? It's hard to pinpoint exactly when your egg becomes fertilized, but the date of your last cycle is a more accurate starting point. Your doctor will calculate your due date by counting 40 weeks from the start of your last menstrual period.

It's called the Gestational Age, and it's how most doctors measure pregnancies. Because ovulation and conception take place about two weeks after your period begins, your baby's Fetal Age (which begins when your egg is fertilized) will be two weeks less than his Gestational Age. So, when you're 8 weeks pregnant, your baby's fetal age is 6 weeks.

5 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development at 5 Week Pregnant

After weeks of rapid cell development, your baby takes on a more distinct form. During the fifth week of pregnancy, here's what's happening inside:

• Her heart and circulatory system take shape — a bulge indicates where your baby's heart is developing. By the end of the 5^th week of pregnancy, your baby's earliest blood vessels form.
• Around the 5^th week of pregnancy, your baby's heart begins to beat and may be visible on an ultrasound.
• The umbilical cord replaces the yolk sac. The umbilical cord works with the placenta to bring nutrition and oxygen to your baby and remove waste.
• At 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is the length of the tip of a pen, about 1/17 inches, and growing rapidly every day.

10 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth Development at 10 Week Pregnant

It's official! After weeks of life as an embryo, by the end of the 10th week of your pregnancy, your baby becomes a fetus*. Here are some of the other changes your baby is going through during your 10th week of pregnancy:

• By the 10th week of pregnancy, your baby measures more than one inch, or roughly the length of a quarter. By the end of the 1st trimester, your baby will grow to be about 3 inches — around the length of a kiwi fruit. This measurement doesn't even take into account arms and legs. That's because in the 1st trimester, your baby is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the rump.
• By the beginning of the 10th week of pregnancy, all of your baby's vital organs have formed.
• His embryonic tail, located at the bottom of his spinal cord, has disappeared.
• His bones continue to develop. On an ultrasound, your baby's bones appear white.
• At 10 weeks pregnant, his ears get close to their final form.
• His teeth buds emerge and his eyelids develop further.
• His testes start producing the male hormone testosterone around the 10th week of pregnancy.
• Tiny fingers and toes are fully separated (no more webbing).

15 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development at 15 Week Pregnant

Your baby's internal and external growth continue at a remarkable pace throughout the 15th week of pregnancy.

• When you're 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 4 1/2 inches from head to rump, and weighs about 2 to 3 ounces. She’s about the length of a large apple.
• Your baby's hair might appear on her scalp and eyebrows. Hair follicles even begin to generate the pigments that give hair its color.
• By your 15th week of pregnancy, your baby's ears probably have reached their permanent position on the side of her head, and her eyes are moving to where they belong on the front of her face.
• Your baby's skin is developing, but remains extremely thin.
• Your baby's skeletal system and muscles further develop and strengthen.
• By the end of your 15th week of pregnancy, your baby might be able to wiggle fingers and toes, make a fist, or even suck her thumb!

20th Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development at 20 Weeks Pregnant
When you're 20 weeks pregnant, your baby is getting used to all his developing parts. Your baby is moving around and you may be able to feel it. Baby development includes:

• When you're 20 weeks pregnant, your baby measures about 6 inches, about the length of an eggplant, and weighs about half a pound.
• Your baby's skin thickens and develops layers under the vernix during the 20th week of pregnancy.
• His hair and nails continue to grow.
• His limbs are well developed when you’re 20 weeks pregnant.
• Your baby is moving and you can feel it. Make a note of when you felt these movements start and let your doctor know.

25th Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development at 25 week Pregnant

During the 25th week of pregnancy, your baby uses her tiny developing hands to learn about herself and her environment. Here's what else is going on:

• This week, your baby weighs about a pound and a half, and is about the length of a small cantaloupe.
• Reach for the stars! When you're 25 weeks pregnant, your baby's hands are fully developed. She even can make a fist.
• The nerve connections in her hands continue to develop.
• She uses her hands to explore her environment.

30th Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development When You are 30 Week Pregnant

During this 30th week of pregnancy, your baby continues to steadily add weight and important, insulating layers of fat to his body.

• At 30 weeks of pregnancy, your baby weighs about 3 pounds and is about 10 1/2 inches long from crown to rump, or about the length of a bunch of celery. (His legs and feet increase this measurement by many more inches.)
• From this week until week 37 of pregnancy, your baby gains an impressive half a pound a week!
• Your baby might be practicing breathing movements as he rhythmically moves his diaphragm. You even might notice a slight twitching in your abdomen when this happens.
• Your baby's brain continues to expand and develop, creating additional grooves and folds in the brain's surface. These wrinkles give your baby's brain tissue the needed room to expand as he develops and learns throughout his lifetime.
• Your baby's brain can now regulate his temperature, so he begins to lose the lanugo — fine hair that has been covering his body for warmth.

35 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development When You are 35 Weeks Pregnant

During this 35th week of pregnancy, your baby's growth has been progressing at a remarkable pace as your due date draws near. But the next three weeks could bring your baby's most rapid weight gains.

• Your baby probably continues to gain at least a half a pound a week.
• During the 35th week of pregnancy, she already might be close to her birth length, near 18 inches from head to toe, and she continues to build up necessary fat, especially in her shoulders.
• Within your now-crowded uterus, your baby might shift her movements from kicks and punches to more rolls and wiggles.
• Her brain development continues to advance quickly.
• Your baby already might have settled into a head-down position in your pelvis, if this is your first pregnancy. This is the ideal position for delivery because your baby's head is the biggest part of her body.
• Position refers to your baby's placement in your uterus — whether he is facing right or left or is headfirst or feetfirst. Your baby floats in your uterus and changes positions often throughout early and mid-pregnancy. When you're between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, your baby usually rotates to a head-down position for labor and delivery.
  
  
  
  • Headfirst position is called the vertex position.
  • Feetfirst position is called a breech position.
  • If your baby is breech but is not too far down into your pelvis, your doctor might try to turn your baby into the proper position a few weeks before your due date.
  • Lying-sideways position is called a transverse position.
  
  
  
  

40 Week of Pregnancy

Baby's Growth and Development When You are 40 Weeks Pregnant
Your due date arrives during the 40th week of pregnancy, but it might come and go without fanfare. Changes in your baby's body prior to birth include:

• A surge of hormones in your baby's body might play a part in initiating labor.
• Your baby weighs between 7 and 8 pounds and measures between 18 and 20 1/2 inches long. More or less is OK.

Labor and Delivery

Every woman is different, and every labor is different. That makes it difficult to know if you're really going into true labor, or if it's something else. To help you decide if you're beginning true labor, monitor your contractions. Time them from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Read on to find out more, and learn about:

Baby's Changes During Labor and Delivery 

It's no secret. Labor and delivery are hard work for Mom and for baby. During childbirth, your baby's body goes through extraordinary changes. Some of these include:

• A surge in hormones, which might play a role in initiating labor. These hormones also help your baby maintain her blood pressure and blood sugar levels after birth.
• Your baby's head drops into your pelvis; this is called lightening or engagement.

Month 1 A Whole New World

Welcome to the sisterhood of mom! You've got a year of incredible firsts ahead for both you
and your brand-new baby. Expect a little bit of a roller coaster. You may feel elated and
anxious, overwhelmed and overjoyed.Get a head first his first month by exploring:

• Your Newborn Baby's Appearance
• Baby Sensorimotor  Development 
• Feeding Your 1-Month-Old Baby 
• Newborn Umbilical Cord Care
• First Baby Baths
  

Month 2 Who Are You ?

Not surprisingly, you may be convinced your baby knows you at birth. You're probably right. Babies use many of their senses to get to know their mothers while they’re still in the womb. And now, as your baby takes in information, she uses that information to communicate with you. As you get to know each other this month, we cover:

• Your Baby's Learning Style
• How Your Baby Communication 
• 2-Month-Old-Sleep Patterns
• Signs of Sensitivity to Milk
  

Month 3 Now, I Recognize You

By month three, your little guy will probably begin developing a personality all his own — and some new tricks. He may be reaching for objects, smiling spontaneously, and turning in the direction of that special voice — yours. What can you do to help him socialize? Try carrying him in a sitting position and showing him soft lights and bright colors. Also this month, learn about:

• Building Your Baby's "People Skill"
• New Baby Signals 
• 3-Month-Old Sleep Patterns
  

Month 4 Let the Good Time Roll

It's month four, and your baby may be getting to be a real comedian. By the end of the month, she may be laughing out loud and cracking herself up. And you'll probably laugh right along with her! Try imitating her, and talking right back to her — it's a conversation only you and she can understand. Also this month, learn how to:

• Help Her Develop Language Skill
• Get the Baby Vaccination She Needs
• 4-Month-Old Sleeping Patterns
  

Month 5 Video Time

Your baby's first year is almost half over. And if you're like most moms, it's been well-documented (with you at the camera). Share your moments with family and friends online. By the end of this month there should be lots of memories to capture — your baby will probably begin sitting with support, happily passing toys from one hand to another, and more. Also this month, we explore:

• Helping Your Baby Develop a Strong Mind and Body 
• Funny Feet: Baby Bowed Legs and Inward Toes

Month 6 Good Baby Conversation

Your baby may go beyond "ah-goo" this month, and actually start making sounds you recognize. Keep up your conversation with her this month as her babbling lays the groundwork for speech. Also this month, she's becoming more aware of you as a separate person. You can help her with this by playing "peekaboo" — go away and come back before the fear gets too strong. Then have fun watching the ecstatic look on her face when you return. And this month, find tips for:

• Helping Your Baby Feel Secure
• Stepping Up Playtime
• Helping Your Baby Sit Tall
• Your Baby Sleep Patterns
  

Month 7 Turn Me Loose

During month seven, your baby starts moving more independently, scooting around on his belly like a tadpole. At the end of this month, your baby will probably be getting his first tooth, and even, perhaps, eating his first cracker. How can you help his development this month? Read children's books, or make your own with bright pictures from magazines. Point to and name objects and people as he looks at them. Also this month, find out how to:

• Helping Your 7-Month-Old Develop a Strong Mind and Body 
• Baby Eat, Baby Play 
• Baby Walker Safety Issues
• Teething Time
  

Month 8 Your Little Cruiser

Creeping, crawling, and cruising are the hallmarks of this month, as your baby experiments with all-new ways of exploring her world. How can you help? When your baby's standing, hold her favorite toy just out of reach. Try to get her to "cruise" along the furniture to get the toy. Also, learn:

• How to Help Your 8-Month-Old Develop a Strong Mind and Body 
• How to Create Baby Bedtime Rituals
  

Month 9 A New Bag of Baby Tricks

This month, your baby may be developing new tricks like the lobster claw "pincer grasp," and an entertaining routine with objects called "shake, bang, drop, and throw." And he may well say "mama," if he hasn't already. What's a great way for you two to engage? Play "peekaboo" with him in front of a mirror. Find out what else to expect this month, as we cover:

• Helping Your 9-Month-Old Develop a Strong Mind and Body 
• Baby Breath -Holding 
• Baby Security Blankets and Teddy Bears
• Flat Feet 
• Baby Separation Anxiety
  

Month 10 My Little Baby-About-Town

In the tenth month, your growing little one may be a regular baby-about-town, interacting with people and showing off her new skills — pulling herself to a standing position, walking while holding on to furniture, and more. You can help her deal with her broadening world this month by reciting nursery rhymes, singing songs, and more. Also this month, learn about:

• Engaging Your 10-Month-Old's Mind
• Helping Her Overcome Baby Separation Anxiety and Stranger Fear
• Choosing the Right Baby Shoes 
• Helping Your Baby Deal With New Fears
  

Month 11 Baby in the House

This month, your house is a baby amusement park. He is probably cruising while holding
on to furniture, in love with novelty of standing - particularly in the bathtub.
Consider taking extra steps to protect him. Also this month, keep talking to your baby.

• Engage Your 11- Month -Old's Growing Mind
• Ensure Your Baby's Safety 
• Teach Your Baby The Names for His World
• Tips for Planning a Safe and Fun First Birthday Party 

Month 12 You've Reached a Milestone Together

It's hard to believe it has been a year since you brought that infant home.
And now she's developing into a person in her own right, with a personality all her own.
It won't be long now before you start to see the physical change that say she'll be toddler
soon so cherish the moment ! Also this month.

• Activities to Engage Your 12-Month-Old's Mind
• Graduation-to-toddler Safety Tips
• Tips for Planning a Save and Fun First Birthday Party 
• Baby Bottle-Weaning Tips