Baby development:
Foetal development:
0-4 weeks
• Rapid cell multiplication and growth
• Formation of the nervous system
• Heart develops and starts to beat
• The limb buds start to form
4-8 weeks
• Head and facial features form
• Tissue differentiates into major organs
8-12 weeks
• Placenta is completely developed
• Kidneys begin to function and starts passing urine
• Finger nails develop
12 weeks
• Foetal circulation starts developing
• Liver produces Red blood cells
• Sucking and swallowing of amniotic fluid
16 weeks
• There is complete skeleton development
• Between 16-20 weeks most moms will start to feel the baby moving
18 weeks
• Toe nails develop
• Eye brows and eye lashes start to grow
• Baby is covered in vernix (creamy white substance that protects the baby from friction and fluid, regulates temperature and keeps skin soft and nourished
20-24 weeks
• Organs are functioning
• Periods of sleep and activity
• Responds to sound
26-28 weeks
• Surfactant produced: helps with the exchanging of gas and reduce surface tension of the lungs
• Covered in fine soft hair called lanugo
• Grasp and startle reflexes developed
• Regulate body functions
28-32 weeks
• Gains weight
• Stores fat and iron
• Testes descend into the scrotum
• Skin becomes paler and less wrinkled
• Bones fully developed but soft and flexible
32-36 weeks
• Head hair lengthens and nails grow longer
• Lungs are maturing