The growth of a fertilized egg to a newborn child is nonetheless that a wonder. It is why the journey of a fetus in developing a several pound baby has always been a matter of curiosity. Let us take a peek inside the womb and try to find that how a baby develops.
Conception
The development of fetus starts with the fertilization when a sperm penetrates an egg. After fertilization, the fertilized cell develops very fast by dividing into multiple cells and passes through the fallopian tube to uterus where it gets attached to the uterine wall. This process is called implantation. After implantation placenta develops which with the help of umbilical cord blood storage transfers nutrition to baby. Additionally, stem cells which are also known as regenerative cells are found in umbilical cord that can be stored just after the birth of a newborn.
Four Weeks
The developing structures like face and neck of the fetus develop at this phase. The heart and blood vessels keep on developing and lungs, stomach, and liver commence to develop. Eight Weeks
The fetus is now half an inch in size. Eyelids, ears, and nose, are in the process of formation. The arms and limbs are well formed and become distinct.
Twelve Weeks
The fetus now measures around two inches and starts making slight movements. The heartbeat of the baby can be heard with special instruments. The sex organs of the baby start becoming clear onwards this phase.
Sixteen Week
At this phase, the heart and the blood vessels of the baby are full developed. Its eyes can blink, and the measurement of the baby reaches around 4.3 inches to 4.6 inches. Fingerprints also form on the fingers and toes of the baby.
Twenty Weeks
The baby is now more than 6 inches and weighs about 10 ounces. The fluttering movements of the baby become distinct now, and the mother starts to feel it. The baby can now make faces too.
Twenty Four Week
It is the stage when baby starts responding to sounds by moving its pulse. The weight of the baby reaches around 1.4 pounds, and it continues making jerking motions.
Twenty Eight Weeks
At this stage, baby can now changes its position. The weight of the baby increases to two pounds.
Thirty Two Weeks
The baby weighs around 4 pounds, and its moving becomes frequent. A layer of fat starts to form under its skin and so few wrinkles appear on its body.
Thirty-Six Weeks
The brain develops rapidly during this phase of pregnancy. Lungs are almost fully developed. Although the size and weight of the babies differ and depends on several factors; on average, the weight of the baby reaches to 6 pounds and height 18.5 inches.
Birth
Normally pregnancy last between 38 to 42 weeks and the due date of a mother is marked on the end of the 40th week.
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