The First Trimester: 0 to 3 Months

Conception

ConceptionSperm joins with ovum (egg) to form one cell-smaller than a grain of salt! This one cell contains the complex genetic blueprint for every detail of human development-the child's sex, hair and eye color, height, and skin tone.

 

day 20By The 20th Day
Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already established, and the HEART BEGINS TO BEAT.
 

 

 

 

day 28By The 28th Day
The backbone and muscles are forming. Arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show. 


day 35

By The 35th Day
Five fingers can be discerned in the hand. The eyes darken as pigment is produced.
 

 

 

week 5By The 40th Day
Brain waves can be detected and recorded.
 

 

 

 

 

week 6By Week 6
The liver is now taking over the production of blood cells, and the brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs.
 

 

 

week7By Week 7
The jaw forms, including teeth buds in the gums.
 

 

 

 

week8By 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.
 

 

week 9By Week 9
Fingerprints are already evident in the skin. The fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand.
 

 

 

 

week10By Week 10
The uterus has now doubled in size. The fetus can squint, swallow and wrinkle its forehead..
 

 

 

week 11By Week 11
At this time, the fetus is about two inches long. Urination occurs. The face has assumed a baby's profile, and muscle movements are becoming more coordinated.
 

 

 

 

 

week 12

 

By Week 12
The fetus now sleeps, awakens and exercises its muscles energetically - turning its head, curling its toes, and opening and closing its mouth. The palm. when stroked, will make a tight fist. The fetus breathes amniotic fluid to help develop its respiratory system.


week 13

 

By Week 13
Fine hair has begun to grow on the head, and sexual differentiation has become apparent.