Pregnancyđ€°â€ïž... Such a beautiful life-giving experience. During this process, the baby develops and grows from the size of a poppy seed to the size of a watermelonđ. Continue to read and understand how a baby is conceived and the different growing stagesđ¶.
The pregnancy period consists of three trimesters:
Trimester 1: weeks 1 - 13
Trimester 2: weeks 14 - 27
Trimester 3: weeks 28 - 41
The pregnancy process is called the gestation, and it refers to the period of time when conception occurs until the baby is born. Because the time of conception is hard to determine, the gestational period is considered to start from the first day after the end of a menstrual cycle.
Weeks 1 - 4
During the first two weeks the mother is not pregnant yet, as the eggs start to mature inside the ovaries. The ovaries are secreting two hormones, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) causing ovulation by the end of the second week.
The ovulation period usually lasts for 2-3 days, depending on the period of the menstrual cycle. During ovulation one egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube.
In the third week, conception is possible during unprotected vaginal intercourse, when a sperm cell travels through the cervix and fallopian tube, where it reaches the egg and fertilization occurs. The sperm cell and the egg unite. Together they form a zygote that travels towards the uterus in the next few days.
In week four, the zygote transforms into an embryo and attaches itself to the uterine wall. During this week, most pregnancy tests will be positive.
The size of the embryo can be compared to a poppy seed.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 5-8
The fifth week is very important for the healthy development of the fetus. In this period, factors such as medicine, drug use, high alcohol use or some infections can be responsible for birth defects.
During these weeks some organs start to develop as well as the external features.
The heart begins to pump blood and by the end of the eighth week, the heartbeat will be around 120 beats per minute.
After this period the size of the embryo is around the size of a bean, weighing approximately 15 grams.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 9-13
By the start of the ninth week, all essential organs have begun to develop.
Hands and toes can be seen through an ultrasound and the heartbeats around 170 beats per minute.
At the end of the tenth week, the embryo is considered as a fetus and the fetal process starts.
During these weeks, the fetus begins to open its mouth and make sudden movements. Genitals start to develop now.
By the end of the 13th week, all essential organs are completely formed and the fetus is as big as a lemon, weighing around 73 grams.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 14-18
From week 14 on, toenails start developing and the sex can be identified.
The movements of the fetus can sometimes be sensed by the mother, as it begins to move and stretch.
The skeleton starts to be visible on X-rays.
During this period the hearing starts to develop and the fetus can respond to sound.
By the end of the 18th week, the fetus can be compared to the size of a sweet potato, weighing around 200 grams.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 19-23
From week 19 on, the ears, nose and lips are distinguishable.
The fetus's body is covered in lanugo (unpigmented) hair.
During this period, the fetus can suck and grasp and even start having hiccups.
By the end of the 23rd week, REM (rapid eye movement) occurs during sleep.
The size of the fetus is around an eggplant, weighing around 600 grams.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 24-27
From week 24 on, the survival chances without a disease outside the womb are around 9%. In this period, footprints and fingerprints are developing. Eyebrows and eyelashes are formed.
By the end of week 27, the brain starts to develop rapidly and the survival chances without a disease outside the womb increase up to 50%.
The fetusâ size can be compared to a cauliflower, weighing around 1 kg.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 28-33
The fetus is covered in vernix (a waxy like film that is thought to protect the baby during pregnancy and even some hours after birth).
Muscles and bones are developed and the fetus starts to store body fat.
By the end of week 33, the fetus is as big as a pineapple, weighing almost 2 kg.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 34-36
From week 34 on, the baby can be considered as preterm (in case of birth it will be a premature one).
During this period, lungs are almost fully developed, and the position of the head is oriented towards the pelvis.
The fetus is as long as a romaine lettuce, weighing around 2.8 kg.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
Weeks 37-38
During this period the baby can be considered early term.
By the end of week 37, the heart is fully developed.
The lanugo hair starts to disappear except from the upper arms and shoulders, while the hair on the head is thicker.
At the end of this period, the fetus is as long as a rhubarb and weighs around 3.2 kg.
Weeks 39-41
From week 39 on, the baby can be considered full-term, meaning that it is ready to be born anytime during this period.
By the time of giving birth, the baby will be as big as a watermelon.
Source: Instagram: @babycenter
And this is how a baby develops and is born.
In order to have a healthy pregnancy remember to consult your doctor and go to all mandatory check-upsđ¶â€ïž.
Stay tuned đșđ!
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