Fetal Development (Comprehensive overview).
"Watch Your Baby Grow! This comprehensive fetal development guide takes you through the incredible journey from week 1 to birth. Learn about your baby's development, and milestones. Perfect for expecting mothers, this guide will leave you amazed and informed!"=
BABY DURING PREGNANCY
Dr. Qazi Fahim Shezad ( MD,DMRD,MSc, M.Phil Fellow )
10/15/20242 min read
Introduction
As mother, understanding fetal development is important for providing high-quality care to himself and unborn baby. This article will cover the stages of fetal development from conception to birth.
Week 1-4: Embryonic Development.
1. Fertilization: The male sex cell sperm meets the female egg, and forms a zygote.
2. Implantation: Blastocyst implants in the uterus (normally the mid layer of uterus known as endometrium (5-6 days).
3. Embryonic formation: Organogenesis ( organ development) begins (weeks 3-4).
Week 5-8: Organ Development
1. Heart formation: Begins pumping we can see the heart beat specially on ultrasound (week 5).
2. Brain and spinal cord development: Neural tube formation (during this stage folic acid plays a vital role for neural tube development (week 5).
3. Limb formation: Upper and lower limb’s shape develop (weeks 5-6)
4. Sensory organs: Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth start to develop (weeks 5-6).
At the end of 8th week we can see the movement of fetus perfectly on ultrasound.
Week 9-12: Fetal Development
1. Body growth: Length increases by 1-2 cm/week.
2. Skin and muscle development: Skin layers form, muscles begin to develop.
3. Digestive system: Pancreas, liver, and intestines begin to develop.
4. Respiratory system: Lungs begin producing surfactant (lubricant like liquid)
Week 13-16: Sensory and Motor Development
1. Sensory development: Eyes, ears, and skin respond to stimuli.
2. Motor development: Swallowing, kicking, and hand movements (mothers feel the movements)
3. Brain development: Synapses form, brain waves detected.
Week 17-20: Fetal Movement and Development
1. Fetal movement: Women feel quickening (week 18 in some cases early or late may possible).
2. Sensory development: Taste buds, eyelids, and eyelashes form.
3. Skin development: Vernix caseosa and lanugo form.
Week 21-24: Organ Maturation
1. Lung maturation: Surfactant production increases.
2. Brain maturation: Myelination of nerve fibers.
3. Digestive system: Pancreas produces digestive enzymes.
Week 25-28: Fetal Growth and Development
1. Weight gain: Fetus gains 100-150g/week.
2. Body proportions: Head, torso, and limbs proportionate.
3. Sensory development: Eyes open and close.
Week 29-32: Fetal Preparation for Birth
1. Lung maturity: Fetus prepares for breathing.
2. Brain development: Advanced cognitive functions.
3. Fetal movement: Women feel strong kicks.
Week 33-38: Final Preparations for Birth
1. Fetal growth: Continues to gain weight.
2. Organ maturation: Final preparations for life outside.
3. Fetal positioning: Head-down position in most cases (but in few cases if not head down so the normal delivery of baby is not possible)
Week 39-40: Birth
1. Labor: Onset of contractions.
2. Delivery: Fetus born.
Congratulation
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