|
DAY 1
 |
Sperm joins with ovum (egg) to form one cell - smaller than a grain
of salt. The new life has inherited 23 chromosomes from each parent,
46 in all. This one cell contains the complex genetic blueprint for
every detail of human development - the child's sex, hair and eye
color, height, skin tone. |
|
DAYS 3-4 |
The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus,
where the lining has been prepared for implantation. |
|
DAYS 5-9 |
During this time, the fertilized egg implants itself in the rich
lining of the uterus and begins to draw nourishment. |
|
DAYS 10-14 |
The developing embryo signals its presence through placental
chemicals and hormones, preventing the mother from menstruating.
This missed period is usually the first sign that the mother is
pregnant. |
|
DAY 20 |
Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already
established. |
|
DAY 21 |
The heart begins to beat. |
| DAY 28 |
The backbone and muscles are
forming. Arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show. |
|
DAY 30 |
At one month old, the embryo is 10,000 times larger than the
original fertilized egg and is developing rapidly.
The heart is pumping increasing quantities of blood
through the circulatory system.
The placenta forms a unique barrier that keeps the
mother's blood separate while allowing food and oxygen to pass
through to the embryo. |
DAY 35
 |
Five fingers can be discerned in
the hand. The eyes darken as pigment is produced. |
|
DAY 40 |
Brain waves can be detected and recorded. |
| WEEK 6 |
The liver is now taking over the production of blood cells, and the
brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs.
The mother is about to miss her second period and has
probably confirmed that she is pregnant. |
| WEEK 7
 |
The embryo begins to move spontaneously. The jaw forms, including
teeth buds in the gums.
Soon the eyelids will seal to protect the embryo's developing
light-sensitive eyes, and will reopen at about the seventh month. |
WEEK 8
 |
At a little more than an inch long, the developing life is now
called a fetus -Latin for "young one" or "offspring".
Everything is now present that will be found in a fully developed
adult.
The heart has been beating for more than a month, the stomach
produces digestive juices and the kidneys have begun to function.
Forty muscle sets begin to operate in conjunction with the nervous
system.
The baby's body responds to touch, although the mother will not be
able to feel movement until the fourth or fifth month. |
WEEK
9
 |
Fingerprints are already evident in the skin.
The baby will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm
of its hand. |
|
WEEK 10 |
The uterus has now doubled in size. The baby can squint, swallow and
wrinkle its forehead. |
| WEEK 11 |
At this time, the baby is about two inches long. Urination occurs.
The face has assumed a baby's profile, and muscle movements are
becoming more coordinated. |
| WEEK 12 |
The baby now sleeps, awakens and exercises its muscles turning its
head, curling its toes, and opening and closing its mouth.
The palm, when stroked, will make a tight fist. The baby breathes
amniotic fluid to help develop its respiratory system. |
| WEEK 13 |
Fine hair has begun to grow on the head, and sexual differentiation
has become apparent. |
MONTH 4
 |
By the end of this month, the baby is eight to ten inches in length
and weighs a half pound or more.
The mother will probably start to "show" now.
The ears are functioning, and there is evidence that
the baby hears quite a bit: the mother's voice and heartbeat as well
as external noises.
The umbilical cord has become an engineering marvel,
transporting 300 quarts of fluids per day and completing a
round-trip of fluids every 30 seconds. |
MONTH 5
 |
Half the pregnancy has now passed, and the baby is about 12 inches
long. The mother has definitely begun to feel movement by now. If a
sound is especially loud or startling, the baby may jump in reaction
to it. |
| MONTH 6 |
Oil and sweat glands are functioning. The delicate skin of the
growing baby is protected from the fetal waters by a special
ointment called "vernix". If the baby were born in this month and
given the proper care, he would survive. |
| MONTH 7 |
The baby now uses the four senses
of vision, hearing, taste and touch.
He can recognize his mother's voice. |
| MONTH 8 |
The skin begins to thicken, with a layer of fat stored underneath
for insulation and nourishment.
Antibodies increasingly build up.
The baby absorbs a gallon of amnotic fluid per day; the fluid is
completely replaced every three hours. |
| MONTH 9
 |
The baby is getting ready for birth.
The average duration of pregnancy is 280 days from the first day of
the mother's last menstrual period, but this varies.
Most babies (85 percent to 95 percent) are born somewhere between
266 and 294 days.
By this time the infant normally weighs six to nine pounds, and his
heart is pumping 300 gallons of blood per day.
He is fully capable of life outside the womb. |
