Fetal Development: Stages of Growth

Within 24 hours after fertilization, the egg that will become your baby rapidly divides into many cells. By
the eighth week of pregnancy, the embryo develops into a fetus. There are about 40 weeks to a typical
pregnancy. These weeks are divided into three trimesters.

When does a pregnancy start?

The start of pregnancy is actually the first day of your last menstrual period. This is called the
gestational age, or menstrual age. It’s about two weeks ahead of when conception actually
occurs. Though it may seem strange, the date of the first day of your last period will be an
important date when determining your due date. Your healthcare provider will ask you about this
date and will use it to figure out how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Each month, your body goes through a reproductive cycle that can end in one of two ways. You
will either have a menstrual period or become pregnant. This cycle is continuously happening
during your reproductive years — from puberty in your teen years to menopause around age 50.

In a cycle that ends with pregnancy, there are several steps. First, a group of eggs (called
oocytes) gets ready to leave the ovary for ovulation (release of the egg). The eggs develop in
small, fluid-filled cysts called follicles. Think of these follicles as small containers for each
immature egg. Out of this group of eggs, one will become mature and continue on through the
cycle. This follicle then suppresses all the other follicles in the group. The other follicles stop
growing at this point.

The mature follicle now opens and releases the egg from the ovary. This is ovulation. Ovulation
generally happens about two weeks before your next menstrual period begins. It’s generally in
the middle of your cycle.

After ovulation, the opened (ruptured) follicle develops into a structure called the corpus luteum.
This secretes (releases) the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone helps prepare the
endometrium (lining of the uterus). This lining is the place where a fertilized egg settles to
develop. If you don’t become pregnant during a cycle, this lining is what is shed during your
period.

On average, fertilization happens about two weeks after your last menstrual period. When the
sperm penetrates the egg, changes occur in the protein coating of the egg to prevent other sperm
from entering.

At the moment of fertilization, your baby’s genetic make-up is complete, including its sex. The
gender of your baby depends on what sperm fertilizes the egg at the moment of conception.
Generally, women have a genetic combination of XX and men have XY. Women provide each
egg with an X. Each sperm can be either an X or a Y. If the fertilized egg and sperm is a
combination of an X and Y, it’s a boy. If there are two Xs, it’s a girl.
What happens right after conception?

Within 24 hours after fertilization, the egg begins rapidly dividing into many cells. It remains in
the fallopian tube for about three days after conception. Then the fertilized egg (now called a
blastocyte) continues to divide as it passes slowly through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Once
there, its next job is to attach to the endometrium. This is called implantation.

Before implantation though, the blastocyte breaks out of its protective covering. When the
blastocyte makes contact with the endometrium, the two exchange hormones to help the
blastocyte attach. Some women notice spotting (slight bleeding) during the one or two days
when implantation happens. This is normal and isn’t something you should worry about. At this
point, the endometrium becomes thicker and the cervix (the opening between your uterus and
birth canal) is sealed by a plug of mucus.

Within three weeks, the blastocyte cells ultimately form a little ball, or an embryo. By this time,
the first nerve cells have formed.

Your developing fetus has already gone through a few name changes in the first few weeks of
pregnancy. Generally, it's called an embryo from conception until the eighth week of
development. After the eighth week, it's called a fetus until it’s born.

How early can I know I’m pregnant?

From the moment of conception, the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) will be
present in your blood. This hormone is created by the cells that form the placenta (food source
for the growing fetus). It’s also the hormone detected in a pregnancy test. Even though this
hormone is there from the beginning, it takes time for it to build within your body. It typically
takes three to four weeks from the first day of your last period for the hCG to increase enough to
be detected by pregnancy tests.

When should I reach out to my healthcare provider about a new pregnancy?

Most healthcare providers will have you wait to come in for an appointment until you have had a
positive home pregnancy test. These tests are very accurate once you have enough hCG
circulating throughout your body. This can be a few weeks after conception. It’s best to call your
healthcare provider once you have a positive pregnancy test to schedule your first appointment.

When you call, your healthcare provider may ask you if you are taking a prenatal vitamin. These
supplements contain folic acid. It’s important that you get at least 400mcg of folic acid each day
during a pregnancy to make sure the fetus's neural tube (beginning of the brain and spine)
develops correctly. Many healthcare providers suggest that you take prenatal vitamins with folic
acid even when you aren’t pregnant. If you weren’t taking prenatal vitamins before your
pregnancy, your provider may ask you to start as early as possible.
What’s the timeline for fetal development?

The fetus will change a lot throughout a typical pregnancy. This time is divided into three stages,
called trimesters. Each trimester is a set of about three months. Your healthcare provider will
probably talk to you about fetal development in terms of weeks. So, if you are three months
pregnancy, you are about 12 weeks.

You will see distinct changes in the fetus, and yourself, during each trimester.

Traditionally, we think of a pregnancy as a nine-month process. However, this isn’t always the
case. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, or 280 days. Depending on what months you are
pregnant during (some are shorter and some longer) and what week you deliver, you could be
pregnant for either nine months or 10 months. This is completely normal and healthy.

Once you get close to the end of your pregnancy, there are several category names you might
hear regarding when you go into labor. These labels divide up the last few weeks of pregnancy.
They’re also used to look out for certain complications in newborns. Babies that are born in the
early term period or before may have a higher risk of breathing, hearing or learning issues than
babies born a few weeks later in the full term time frame. When you’re looking at these labels,
it’s important to know how they’re written. You may see the week first (38) and then you’ll see
two numbers separated by a slash mark (6/7). This stands for how many days you currently are in
the gestational week. So, if you see 38 6/7, it means that you are on day 6 of your 38th week.

The last few weeks of pregnancy are divided into the following groups:

 Early term: 37 0/7 weeks through 38 6/7 weeks.

Talk to your healthcare provider about any questions you may have about gestational age and
due date.

Stages of Growth Month-by-Month in Pregnancy

The first trimester will span from conception to 12 weeks. This is generally the first three months
of pregnancy. During this trimester, the fertilized egg will change from a small grouping of cells
to a fetus that is starting to have a baby’s features.

Month 1 (weeks 1 through 4)

As the fertilized egg grows, a water-tight sac forms around it, gradually filling with fluid. This is
called the amniotic sac, and it helps cushion the growing embryo.
During this time, the placenta also develops. The placenta is a round, flat organ that transfers
nutrients from the mother to the fetus, and transfers wastes from the fetus. Think of the placenta
as a food source for the fetus throughout your pregnancy.

In these first few weeks, a primitive face will take form with large dark circles for eyes. The
mouth, lower jaw and throat are developing. Blood cells are taking shape, and circulation will
begin. The tiny "heart" tube will beat 65 times a minute by the end of the fourth week.

By the end of the first month, the fetus is about 1/4 inch long – smaller than a grain of rice.

Month 2 (weeks 5 through 8)

Facial features continue to develop. Each ear begins as a little fold of skin at the side of the head.
Tiny buds that eventually grow into arms and legs are forming. Fingers, toes and eyes are also
forming.

The neural tube (brain, spinal cord and other neural tissue of the central nervous system) is well
formed now. The digestive tract and sensory organs begin to develop too. Bone starts to replace
cartilage.

The head is large in proportion to the rest of the body at this point. At about 6 weeks, a heartbeat
can usually be detected.

After the 8th week, healthcare providers refer to it as a fetus instead of an embryo.

By the end of the second month, the fetus is about 1 inch long and weighs about 1/30 of an
ounce.

Month 3 (weeks 9 through 12)

The arms, hands, fingers, feet and toes are fully formed. At this stage, the fetus is starting to
explore a bit by doing things like opening and closing its fists and mouth. Fingernails and
toenails are beginning to develop and the external ears are formed. The beginnings of teeth are
forming under the gums. The reproductive organs also develop, but gender is still difficult to
distinguish on ultrasound.

By the end of the third month, the fetus is fully formed. All the organs and limbs (extremities)
are present and will continue to develop in order to become functional. The circulatory and
urinary systems are also working and the liver produces bile.

At the end of the third month, the fetus is about 4 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce.

Since the most critical development has taken place, your chance of miscarriage drops
considerably after three months.
Second trimester

This middle section of pregnancy is often thought of as the best part of the experience. By this
time, any morning sickness is probably gone and the discomfort of early pregnancy has faded.
The fetus will start to develop facial features during this month. You may also start to feel
movement as the fetus flips and turns in the uterus. During this trimester, many people find out
whether their baby will be designated male or female at birth. This is typically done during an
anatomy scan (an ultrasound that checks physical development) around 20 weeks.

Month 4 (weeks 13 through 16)

The fetal heartbeat may now be audible through an instrument called a doppler. The fingers and
toes are well-defined. Eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails and hair are formed. Teeth and bones
become denser. The fetus can even suck his or her thumb, yawn, stretch and make faces.

The nervous system is starting to function. The reproductive organs and genitalia are now fully
developed, and your doctor can see on ultrasound if the fetus will be designated male or female
at birth.

By the end of the fourth month, the fetus is about 6 inches long and weighs about 4 ounces.

Month 5 (weeks 17 through 20)

At this stage, you may begin to feel the fetus moving around. The fetus is developing muscles
and exercising them. This first movement is called quickening and can feel like a flutter.

Hair begins to grow on the head. The shoulders, back and temples are covered by a soft fine hair
called lanugo. This hair protects the fetus and is usually shed at the end of your baby's first week
of life.

The skin is covered with a whitish coating called vernix caseosa. This "cheesy" substance is
thought to protect fetal skin from the long exposure to the amniotic fluid. This coating is shed
just before birth.

By the end of the fifth month, the fetus is about 10 inches long and weighs from 1/2 to 1 pound.

Month 6 (weeks 21 through 24)

If you could look inside the uterus right now, you would see that the fetus's skin is reddish in
color, wrinkled and veins are visible through translucent skin. The finger and toe prints are
visible. In this stage, the eyelids begin to part and the eyes open.

The fetus responds to sounds by moving or increasing the pulse. You may notice jerking motions
if the fetus hiccups.

If born prematurely, your baby may survive after the 23rd week with intensive care.
By the end of the sixth month, the fetus is about 12 inches long and weighs about 2 pounds.

Month 7 (weeks 25 through 28)

The fetus continues to mature and develop reserves of body fat. At this point, hearing is fully
developed. The fetus changes position frequently and responds to stimuli, including sound, pain
and light. The amniotic fluid begins to diminish.

If born prematurely, your baby would be likely to survive after the seventh month.

At the end of the seventh month, the fetus is about 14 inches long and weighs from 2 to 4
pounds.

Third trimester

useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information This is the final part of your
pregnancy. You may be tempted to start the countdown till your due date and hope that it would
come early, but each week of this final stage of development helps the fetus prepare for birth.
Throughout the third trimester, the fetus gains weight quickly, adding body fat that will help
after birth.

Remember, even though popular culture only mentions nine months of pregnancy, you may
actually be pregnant for 10 months. The typical, full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, which can take
you into a tenth month. It’s also possible that you can go past your due date by a week or two (41
or 42 weeks). Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely as you approach your due date.
If you pass your due date, and don’t go into spontaneous labor, your provider may induce you.
This means that medications will be used to make you go into labor and have the baby. Make
sure to talk to your healthcare provider during this trimester about your birth plan.

Month 8 (weeks 29 through 32)

The fetus continues to mature and develop reserves of body fat. You may notice more kicking.
The brain developing rapidly at this time, and the fetus can see and hear. Most internal systems
are well developed, but the lungs may still be immature.

The fetus is about 18 inches long and weighs as much as 5 pounds.

Month 9 (weeks 33 through 36)

During this stage, the fetus continues to grow and mature. The lungs are close to being fully
developed at this point.

The fetus has coordinated reflexes and can blink, close the eyes, turn the head, grasp firmly, and
respond to sounds, light and touch.

The fetus is about 17 to 19 inches long and weighs from 5 ½ pounds to 6 ½ pounds.
Month 10 (Weeks 37 through 40)

In this final month, you could go into labor at any time. You may notice that less movement
because space is tight. At this point, The fetus's position may have changed to prepare for birth.
Ideally, it's head down in your uterus. You may feel very uncomfortable in this final stretch of
time as the fetus drops down into your pelvis and prepares for birth.

Your baby is ready to meet the world at this point. They are about 18 to 20 inches long and
weigh about 7 pounds.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/16/2020.