The pregnancy journey of a mother is one of the most unique and satisfying. Pregnancy begins on the first day of the last menstrual period, and a full-term pregnancy lasts close to 40 weeks. With the changes that a mother goes through, the baby also grows in the womb in those 40 weeks. Let us see the changes that take place in this duration.
Stages of Growth
Month 1
This is the First trimester. After the fertilization, in the first month, the egg growth and around it grows a watertight sac, which will fill with fluid. This cushion-like sac is known as the Amniotic Sac. In this month, the placenta also grows. The placenta is responsible for providing nutrition and taking out waste from the foetus.
The primitive shape of the baby’s head begins to form with the formation and circulation of RBCs. The heart tube forms at beats 64 times in a minute. The foetus at this point is smaller than a grain of rice.
Month 2
The facial features of the foetus begin to form in the second month. Buds which will grow into arms and legs, as well as folds of the ears also form. The head portion is also bigger than the rest of the body right now. The neural tube forms completely, and the slow born formation takes place. The sensory system is also coming into being.
By the end of 2 months, the foetus is close to 1 inch long, and its heartbeat is detectable.
Month 3
The arms, hands, fingers, feet and toes form completely in this month, along with fingernails and toenails. Small baby teeth also begin to form, and by the end of the month, all the internal organs form. These organs will continue to mature until the end of the pregnancy journey. By the end of month three, the baby is 4 inches long.
The first three months are crucial for the mother and her foetus. After this month, the chances of miscarriage reduce considerably.
Month 4
This is the second trimester. The heartbeat can now be heard through a doppler and ultrasound. The extremities are growing, with well-defined fingers and toes. The eyelids are visible, along with eyebrows, eyelashes and hair. The fetus can stretch and yawn now and by the end of month 4, it is 6 inches long.
The reproductive organs of the foetus grow by this month. It is important to note that sex determination is a crime in India, and asking the doctor about the gender of the fetus is illegal.
Month 5
Muscle formation begins by this month, and the mother might feel the baby’s movements within her womb. Hair begins to grow on the fetus’s head and its body has a wax-like covering. This covering is known as Vernix Caseosa and helps with protecting the fetus’s skin from the amniotic fluid.
By the end of month 5, the baby is between 220 grams to 450 grams and about 10 inches long.
Month 6
The fetus’s skin is pinkish and translucent and the vessels may be visible through the skin. Its texture is also wrinkly. The fetus now can respond to sounds by moving, and the mother may also feel the fetus’s hiccups.
Some mothers may have to deliver prematurely due to some complications. After this month, the baby can survive outside with the help of the paediatric ICUs. The fetus is 12 inches long by the end of this month, and close to 900 grams in weight.
Month 7
This is the third trimester of the pregnancy journey. Month 7 brings more growth and deposition of body fat in the fetus. The fetus can change positions in the mother’s womb and actively respond to stimuli, sounds, pain or light.
By the end of month 7, the baby is close to 14 inches in length and between 900 grams to 1.4 kgs.
Month 8
Just 2 months before the mother delivers. The baby grows in size and kicks more than before. The brain activity increases, the internal organs are fully functional, except for the lungs. At this point, the fetus can see and hear clearly.
The fetus is between 1.8 to 2.3 kgs now and almost 18 inches in length.
Month 9
The lungs develop completely in the last month of the pregnancy journey. The baby can move its extremities and respond to stimulus. The baby’s position will change as the delivery date approaches and finally drop down in the pelvis.
By the time of delivery the baby is 18 to 20 inches and between 2.5kg to 3 kg.
Support from the family, along with the right diet, health tips, lifestyle modifications, access to specialists and medical facilities, can make this experience of nine months a lot more comfortable, smooth and happier. Credihealth brings this information, along with baby growth week by week details, on its exclusive Ladies and Babies page. These nine months are extremely crucial for the mother and child and only the best should be available for them during these times.
