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Your Unborn
Child
Click each picture for
a larger view.
| WEEKS
1-5
Conception
begins when the sperm penetrates the ovum. As the fertilized "zygote"
divides and becomes more complex, it will move freely throughout the uterus
until it implants along the uterine wall a few days later to form the
beginnings of connection for you and your baby. The placenta (the organ
by which your unborn child receives oxygen and nutrients from you) begins
to develop and a small, water-tight sac filled with amniotic fluid envelopes
your baby. During this stage in your pregnancy, your baby's blood cells
are taking shape and gearing up for circulation.
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WEEKS
6-9
Growing
quickly, reaching up to one inch in length, your baby's heart is already
beating, the liver, intestines, and eyes are developing. By the latter
end of the 9th week, your baby's ears, mouth, hands, fingers, feet and
toes become more evident as the internal organs and the nervous system
become active and responsive. The brain and spinal cord are in their
infancy. Bones begin to replace cartilage.
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WEEKS
10-14
As your child becomes more complex, the eyelids, fingernails and toenails
form. The sex organs of your child and muscles throughout the body are
increasingly more developed. Weighing in at nearly an ounce, your child
has grown to almost 4 inches long. Teeth are beginning to form, and
circulation is moving blood throughout the baby's body.
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WEEKS
15-18
Now,
your child will yawn, the eyes will blink, and the hands will open and
close as if reaching for something. Though the skin is still somewhat
translucent, hair begins to grow on the body and head of your child. Reproductive
organs are fully developed at this stage.
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WEEKS
19-22
Weighing
up to 8 ounces and nearly doubling in length, your child is developing
quickly. As the muscles have developed, it is possible to feel your baby
moving around as it stretches and exercises.
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WEEKS
13-30
With
the ability to inhale and exhale, your child has nearly a 50% chance of
living outside of the womb with much medical assistance. The eyes have
completely formed. Fingerprints are now evident and your child is responsive
to sounds and movement. Hearing has developed fully. As we near the end
of week 30, the birth of your baby would be considered "pre-mature,"
weighing nearly 3 pounds.
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WEEKS
31-40
As your baby continues to grow, the brain develops more rapidly. Though
your baby's lungs may not be fully developed, most of the internal organs
are operating completely.
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WEEKS
40-42
As
your child nears the beginnings of life outside of the womb, it is moving
constantly, finding new positions, climactically moving it's head into
position to prepare for delivery.
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