The first sign that you are pregnant is usually after you have missed your period. Some women with irregular cycles may only realise after a couple of months.
How Is Pregnancy Calculated?
The start of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. A full term pregnancy is 40 weeks. However delivering any time between 9 to 10 months is typically considered normal. Pregnancy is also divided into three stages called Trimesters with each trimester being a set of three months. So if you are three months pregnant, you are 12 weeks into your pregnancy.
Here’s a quick look at how your baby is growing every month inside your womb.
For easy reference, the size of the foetus is compared to a fruit or vegetable.
Week 4
Size: About the size of a poppy or chia seed (0.1cm)
Development: - Eyes and limb buds start to appear
- Heartbeat and blood circulation start
Week 8
Size: About the size of a blueberry (1cm) (less than 1g)
Development: - Eyes, ears, mouth and nose are distinct
- Brain cells are generating
- Kidneys starting to form
- Intestines begin to develop
- Liver starts producing blood cells
- Pancreas begins forming insulin
- All four chambers of the heart are developed
Week 12
Size: About the size of a lime (5.4cm) (14g)
Development: - Fingers and toes are still webbed, but distinguishable
- Heartbeat detectable
- Kidneys produce urine
- Vocal cords are formed
- Arms are proportional to body
- Legs may not be proportionate yet
Week 16
Size: About the size of an avocado (11.6cm) (100g)
Development: - Facial muscles are developing so expressions like squinting and
frowning can be seen on a scan
- Genitals become distinguishable
- Legs are longer
- Eyebrows and eyelashes are more distinct
Week 20
Size: About the length of a small banana (25.6cm) (300g)
Development: - Baby’s movement can be felt
- Sucking and grasping movements can be seen on a scan
- Permanent teeth are forming inside the gums
- Heart beats at the rate of 120-160 beats per minute
Week 24
Size: As long as a corn on the cob (30cm) (600g)
Development: - Skin is red and wrinkled
- Foetus gains weight
- Eyebrows and eyelashes are clearly seen
- Eyelids are separated, but remain shut
Week 28
Size: About the size of a big eggplant (37.6cm) (1kg)
Development: - Eyes start producing tears and nose can smell
- Brain grooves and folds are still developing
- Fat deposits under the skin
- Nervous system starts controlling a few body functions
Week 32
Size: About the size of a large grapefruit (42.4cm) (1.7kg)
Development: - Stronger kicks and movements can be felt
- Baby sleeps more
- Baby attains a head-down position
- Lungs continue practicing rhythmic breathing
- Kidneys are fully developed
Week 36
Size: About the size of a large honeydew melon (47cm) (2.5kg)
Development: - Skull bones remain soft to allow easy passage through birth canal
- Fully formed limbs and nails
- Baby can move neck well
- Blood vessels are fully developed
- Earlobes have soft cartilage
Week 40
Size: As big as a small pumpkin (51.2cm) (3.4kg)
Development: Baby is fully grown and is ready to be delivered
For more detailed information on your baby’s week-to-week development and pregnancy diary, there are many good apps that you can download and use. Here are some suggestions:
WhatToExpect Pregnancy & Baby Tracker -WTE
Asianparent: Pregnancy + Baby
Ovia Pregnancy & Baby Tracker
280days: Pregnancy Diary App
Commentaires