You & Your Baby: Month-by-Month
In just nine months, a baby goes through an astonishing amount of growth and development. Here is a brief overview of how a baby develops over the course of pregnancy and how the body of the mother reacts to this delicate phase.
1st Month (Week 1 – 4)
What happens to the baby?
A sac forms around an egg once it has been fertilised and implanted into the uterine lining. The amniotic fluid will be held here, and the embryo will be cushioned by the amniotic sac. The placenta develops in this month, and this will provide the infant with nourishment and support from the mother. The heart, lungs, face, and eyes start to form, and on the 22nd day, the heart starts to beat. The neural tube then develops into the spinal cord and brain. At the conclusion of the first month, the infant will measure around 1/4 inch.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
Several hormones required for the baby’s growth will begin to be produced by the mother, changing several organs in the process. Little by little, the breasts enlarge and hurt. She can start feeling ill in the morning. Food cravings and dislikes might occur, as can changes in taste.
Prenatal Care
Every day, women should begin taking 400 micrograms to 1 gramme of folic acid-containing multivitamins, and they should keep taking them while pregnant. These nutrients are particularly crucial for early development. Stop consuming alcohol, using recreational drugs, and smoking.
2nd Month (Week 5 – 8)
What happens to the baby?
The baby’s face is still developing at this point in the pregnancy. Although they develop and mature, the eyelids remain always closed. Additionally, the wrists, ankles, and ears develop. The digestive system, sensory organs, and the brain start to take shape. By the conclusion of the second month, the baby will be less than 1/3 ounce in weight and around 1 inch long. An ultrasound can show the baby’s heartbeat after around six weeks. The baby’s heartbeat may be heard with an ultrasound after around six weeks.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
Women’s nipples and surrounding skin will start to darken, and their aching, enlarging breasts will continue to do so. As the uterus expands, the bladder will begin to feel pressure, which will make urinating more frequent. Some to-be mothers may still have morning sickness. The body’s overall blood volume rises.
Prenatal Care
One prenatal care checkup should be scheduled with a doctor. Consume a range of wholesome foods from the five dietary groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats and proteins. Drink plenty of liquids, at least six to eight glasses of water, juice, or milk, during the course of the day.
3rd Month (Week 9 – 12)
What happens to the baby?
The hands, feet, fingers, and toes, along with the other limbs, grow into fully formed structures. Both the fingernails and toenails start to grow. The skin of the newborn will start to develop fine hairs. Although they have started to develop, reproductive organs cannot yet be seen on an ultrasound or ultrasonography. By the conclusion of the third month, the baby will be 2.5–3 inches long and weigh around 1 ounce. The likelihood of miscarriage will decrease during the third month of development.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
It’s possible that the women’s fatigue and morning sickness will persist. Consult a doctor if headaches, lightheadedness, or dizziness continue for a long time or are severe.
Prenatal Care
To nourish the developing baby, the mother’s body will require more of all vitamins and minerals. To fulfil these demands, a nutritious diet is crucial. One may have gained 2-4 kilograms at this point. Walking is a wonderful exercise that might be helpful. Before beginning an exercise programme, you can always consult with a certified healthcare professional at Giggles Hospitals.
4th Month (Week 13 – 17)
What happens to the baby?
Well-developed hair, eyelids, eyelashes, and nails appear. The infant starts to stretch, yawn, and make other motions as the teeth get thicker. On an ultrasound, the reproductive organs are now apparent. The neurological system’s growth takes place throughout this month. The baby will measure around 6 inches and weigh around 120 grams by the end of the fourth month.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
Morning sickness will disappear, and the mother’s appetite will grow. They should start to feel more energetic. Women may feel the baby move for the first time around the 16th week of the fourth month.
Prenatal Care
The doctor could advise iron supplements since some pregnant women require more iron. Between 15 and 21 weeks, the doctor could also recommend a quad screen or an amniocentesis.
5th Month (Week 18-22)
What happens to the baby?
Baby starts to move around more, swaying from side to side and occasionally falling over. On the baby’s head and torso, hair continues to develop. The infant awakens and sleeps at regular intervals. The baby is around ten inches long and weighs around 0.5 Kg by the end of the fifth month.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
If the mother hasn’t already, she will start to feel the baby move at this point. The uterus will expand until it reaches the belly button’s height. The heart beats significantly more quickly.
Prenatal Care
Consume a balanced, wholesome diet and get plenty of milk, juice, and water each day. An ultrasonography will be performed on the woman to examine the anatomy of the child.
6th Month (Week 23 – 27)
What happens to the baby?
Although wrinkled and reddish, the skin is still transparent. The baby’s eyes can open, and the eyelids separate. When exposed to external stimuli like sounds, the infant will either move or have their pulse rise. The infant is around 12 inches long and can weigh as much as 2 pounds at the end of month 6.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
The infant is now likely to kick hard. Itching may begin on the skin of the expanding tummy. In addition to back pain, one may have abdominal pain on the sides.
Prenatal Care
Constipation is possible. Get more activity, more fibre-rich foods in your diet, and more water or fruit juice. Eat 4 or 5 smaller meals throughout the day to alleviate heartburn symptoms. The majority of medical professionals do a blood test for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks. Exercise is beneficial for pregnant women at this point.
7th Month (Week 28 – 31)
What happens to the baby?
The baby will continue to develop its current organs and systems during this month. Baby has the ability to suck his/her thumb and open and close their eyes. The development of hearing is complete at this time. The infant is now 15 to 16 inches long and weighs 1.1 to 1.3 Kg.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
Women who have new headaches, vision changes, weight gain, and oedema should see a doctor. This might indicate dangerously high blood pressure. Stretch marks could develop when the breasts and tummy become bigger.
Prenatal Care
After the 28th week, it is advisable to see the doctor every two weeks. Eat healthy, get lots of sleep and stay active.
8th Month (Week 32 – 36)
What happens to the baby?
This month, the baby continues to develop, adding to its fat reserves and going through a period of accelerated brain development. To help the newborn fit through the birth canal, the head’s bones are supple and flexible. The majority of the internal organs and systems are fully formed, but the lungs still require some time to develop. The baby is now between 18 and 19 inches long and between 4-5 pounds in weight.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
The contractions may be more intense for the ladies. They might have some colostrum leaking from the breasts, which would nourish the infant until milk arrived. Due to the difficulty of finding comfort, they will also have problems sleeping.
Prenatal Care
After 35 weeks, the women will be examined for Group B Streptococcal (GBS) colonisation. It is not painful to do this straightforward vaginal and rectal swab. If the infant’s movements noticeably stop, contact a medical professional immediately.
9th Month (Week 37 – 40)
What happens to the baby?
During this period, the lungs develop in preparation for birth. The infant can respond to noises, blink, grab, and swivel his or her head as reflexes grow more synchronised. The baby may move less in the final weeks of pregnancy and may position itself for delivery with its head close to the birth canal. The infant is 2-4 Kg in weight and 19–21 inches long.
What changes occur in the mother’s body?
It’s possible for the belly button to protrude. Once the baby lowers, breathing is much easier, but the strain on the bladder forces them to pee more frequently. It’s possible that the feet and ankles will swell more.
Prenatal Care
After the 36th week, the woman must make one prenatal care checkup appointment every week with a healthcare professional. This month, they might not gain any weight at all, or they might even lose one or two kilograms.
Birth Time – Concluding the Pregnancy
The 40th week ends on the due date. The beginning day of the previous period is used to determine the delivery date. Based on this, a pregnancy may last between 38 and 42 weeks. Some post-term pregnancies, or those that go longer than 42 weeks, aren’t truly late. Most infants are born at 42 weeks due to safety concerns. To achieve that, the doctor may occasionally need to induce labour or perform a caesarean.
Keep exercising and eat healthy. Always listen to the professional medical advice of your concerned doctor for a healthy and wholesome pregnancy period.