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Month 1
This stage is called the blastocyst. At three weeks, the baby's sex is already decided. Your child's genetic material has already developed by the third week as well. The baby's facial features are developing and the blood cells are taking shape. Circulation will begin and the tiny heart will beat about 65 times a minute by the end of the first month. In the first month, the embryo will form the neural tube, the earliest nervous system tissue. The baby is about .1 to .2 millimeters long -
Month 2
The baby goes from blastocyst to zygote, as the cells takes on more of a human form. The baby's facial features will continue to develop, like ears will begin to grow and arms and legs will begin to form. The central nervous system is formed; the neural tube begins to differentiate into brain and nerve cells. The digestive and sensory system will begin to develop, along with bones replacing cartilage. By the end of the second month, the baby is about an inch long. -
Month 3
Baby's hands, feet, fingers, and toes are fully formed. The nails are beginning to develop and the external ear have formed. Teeth have began to form and your baby's reproductive organs have developed. By the end of the third month, all the baby's organ have formed and the liver produces bile at this point, along with the circulatory and urinary systems working. By the third month, the basic brain development allows the embryo to react to its environment. The baby is now about 4 inches long. -
Month 4
Heartbeat is audible. Finger and toes are defined. Eyelids, eyebrows, nails and hairs have formed, while teeth and bones are becoming denser. The nervous system is starting to function and the fetus can experience sensory sensations such as sound, taste, and smells. The reproductive organs and genitalia are now fully developed. The baby is about 6 inches long at the end of four months. -
Month 5
The baby is able to move because they are developing their muscles. The hair begins to grow on the baby's head. Their shoulders, back, and temples are covered in lanugo, fine hairs. This is usually shed by the end of the baby's first week of life. The baby's skin is covered in vernix caseosa and is shed before birth. By the fifth month, the baby is learning to control its reactions to these sensory sensations. The baby is now about 10 inches long by the end of month 5. -
Month 6
Your baby's skin is reddish in color, wrinkled, and veins are visible through the baby's translucent skin. Baby's finger and toe prints are visible. The eyelids begin to part and the eyes open. Baby responds to sounds by moving or increasing the pulse. The baby's organs continue to get stronger. The nerve cells form to complete the nervous system and the brain begins to regulate body functions and increases the baby's senses. By the end of the sixth month, your baby is about 12 inches long. -
Month 7
Your baby will continue to mature and develop reserves of body fat. Your baby's hearing is fully developed. He or she changes position frequently and responds to stimuli, including sound, pain, and light. The amniotic fluid begins to diminish. By the seventh month, your baby's spinal cord has hardened and straightened out. The brain has smoothed in form and brain waves get stronger. At the end of the seventh month, your baby is about 14 inches long. The baby can survive is born prematurely. -
Month 8
Your baby will continue to mature and develop reserves of body fat. The skin is less wrinkled and the fingernails have now extended pass the fingertips. You may notice that your baby is kicking more. Baby's brain is developing rapidly at this time, and your baby can see and hear. Most internal systems are well developed, but the lungs may still be immature. The kidney's are mature as well. Your baby is about 18 inches long and weighs as much as 5 pounds. -
Month 9
Your baby continues to grow and mature: the lungs are nearly fully developed.Your baby's reflexes are coordinated so he or she can blink, close the eyes, turn the head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light, and touch.The baby's brain is now ready for life outside the womb. You may notice that your baby moves less due to tight space. Your baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. Usually, the baby's head is down the birth canal.Your baby is about 18-20 inches long.
