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Month One (Fertilisation, Implantation and Early Development)
During the first few weeks of Pregnancy, the Fertilisation occurs, when this happens a sperm will penetrate the egg. Once the sperm has entered fertilisation will happen and the egg will start dividing rapidly. The fertilised egg (blastocyst) will then burrow and nest in the lining of the uterus where it will get its nutrients and eventually develop into a baby.
At about four weeks the egg will be an embryo and the baby is about the size of a poppy seed. -
Creation of Zygote
After 24 hours, the fertilisation process will be complete and a Zygote will be created.
A zygote is a diploid cell created from two sex cells and will grow into a child. -
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Month Two (Growth and Development)
During the fifth and sixth week the eyes and heart, arms and legs, ears and teeth begin to develop and at this time and the baby is about the size of a lentil. At the seventh and eighth week the genitals begin to grow outside the body, at these weeks it is the most common time for birth defects and major malformations. -
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Month Three (Finer details and first movement)
The baby's basic physiology is in place and the embryonic tail has disappeared. Its tiny limbs will be able to bend and finer details like nails are starting to form. At the end of the month the baby is almost fully formed, it will start to kick and move around and have basic reflexes, you won't feel its movements but it may feel yours. -
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Month Four (Second Trimester and sex)
The second trimester of pregnancy begins. Fingerprints will appear and the veins and organs will be clearly visible through the skin. Brain impulses have started and the baby will start to use its facial muscles. Baby will be able to sense light and the baby's sex may be able to be determined.
Baby is the size of an avocado at the end of this month. -
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Month Five (Hardening of the Skeleton)
The baby will be able to move its joints, and the skeleton will change from cartridge to hard bone. A protective coating of myelin begins to from around the nerves.
The baby's senses; smell, vision, touch, taste and hearing and they may be able to hear your voice. At the end of the month the baby can swallow and its digestive system is now starting to produce fluid. -
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Month Six (Starting to listen)
You may begin to notice patterns in the baby's movements and become more familiar with its activities. Features such as lips and eyebrows will become more distinct. Its ears will become better at picking up sounds and it may recognise some sounds in the womb. At the end of this month its skin is still see through and it is around the size of an ear of corn. -
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Month Seven (End of Second Trimester)
At the beginning of this month, hair is starting to come in and the baby is beginning to get more chubbier. It will also start to begin breathing in and out the fluid it is surrounded in, to help develop its lungs. The baby will soon begin to sleep and wake on a regular schedule and its brain will start to become very active.
By this time the second trimester is finishing, the baby's eyesight developing, sensing light and blinking more. -
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Month Eight (Getting ready for birth)
At the start of Month Eight, the baby's head will begin to grow to make room for it's brain. A layer of protection/ fat will begin to form under the baby's skin. Its lungs and nervous system are maturing to prepare for life outside the womb. At the end of this month the baby's kidneys will be fully developed and it will be the size of a honeydew. -
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Month 9 (Final Stages)
Over the next few weeks, the baby's lungs and brain will fully mature.
The baby's development will soon be complete and it will begin to put on the last amount of fat to get ready to be born. -
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Birth
During the final month, the baby will be born.
This will mark the end of the journey of pregnancy.
