Fetal Development
Month by Month
Day 1: Conception . . . Sperm fertilizes egg
Day 7: Implants on the wall of the Uterus
Day 18: Heart begins to beat
First Month
• By the end of the
first month, the
embryo is about
1/10 of an inch
long. The heart,
which is no larger
than a poppy seed,
has begun beating.
First Month
Two Months
• The embryo is about
1 inch long and has
distinct, slightly
webbed fingers.
Veins are clearly
visible. The heart
has divided into right
and left chambers.
Two Months
Three Months
• By now the fetus is 2
1/2 to 3 inches long
and is fully formed. He
has begun swallowing
and kicking. All organs
and muscles have
formed and are
beginning to function.
Four Months
• Your baby is
covered with a
layer of thick,
downy hair called
lanugo. His
heartbeat can be
heard clearly.
• Baby is moving
around but can not
You can find out the sex of
be felt
the baby at this time
4 months
Five Months
• A protective coating
called vernix caseosa
begins to form on
baby's skin. By the
end of this month, your
baby will be nearly 8
inches long and
weigh almost a
pound.
• This is when you may
feel your baby's first
kick.
Six Months
• Eyebrows and
eyelids are visible.
Your baby's lungs
are filled with
amniotic fluid, and
he has started
breathing motions. If
you talk or sing, he
can hear you.
6 Months
Seven Months
• By the end of the
seventh month, your
baby weighs about 3
1/2 pounds and is
about 12 inches
long. His body is
well-formed.
Fingernails cover
his fingertips
Eight Months
• Your baby is gaining
about half a pound
per week, and layers
of fat are piling on.
He has probably
turned head-down
in preparation for
birth. He weighs
between 4 and 6
pounds.
Nine Months
• Your baby is a hefty
6 to 9 pounds and
measures between
19 and 22 inches.
As he becomes
more crowded, you
may feel him move
around less.
• Lungs are maturing
Survival rates for
babies born early
By 24 weeks or 6 months
56% of babies will survive
By 25 weeks-just one week later it
increases to 79% survival rate
Alexander Tsiaras: Conception to
birth -- visualized - YouTube
