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Baby Development By Trimester
From when you can hear your baby’s heartbeat to what her first movements feel like, here’s how your baby develops in each trimester.
by: Sydney Loney
Fetal Developmental Milestones
- Your baby's heartbeat will be visible on ultrasound by the time you are about six weeks pregnant.
- You may be able to determine your baby's gender during your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (usually done between 16 and 20 weeks).
- All of your baby's internal organs are in place by the end of the first trimester.
- Your baby begins to move at around eight weeks, but you may not feel a gentle fluttering until about 18 to 22 weeks.
ondering what your baby is up to in your belly? We asked world-renowned radiologists, Drs. Peter Doubilet and Carol Benson, the five most common questions moms-to-be have when it comes to fetal development. To view the full story click here.
Third Trimester Infant Development
A look at how your baby changes from weeks 26 to 40
by: Dr. Peter Doubilet and Dr. Carol Benson
Third Trimester
- During the first six weeks of the third trimester, your baby will more than double in size, growing from approximately 1.5 to 3.5 pounds.
- Your baby's sense of hearing is improving and he can hear your voice and your partner's as you converse. You can feel, and see on ultrasound, his startled reaction in response to a sudden loud noise.
- Your baby gains between a third and a half a pound a week through most of the third trimester (you will probably gain close to a pound a week).
- At 37 weeks, your baby is considered to be full term, even though you may not deliver for a few more weeks.
s you begin the third trimester, you're entering the homestretch of your pregnancy–literally. Your belly is getting bigger by the week and this added size (possibly combined with trouble sleeping and Braxton-Hicks contractions), may be causing you some discomfort. Your baby continues to put on weight and his organs will finish maturing during the third trimester. Here's a detailed look at his development in the final three months: To view the full story click here.
Second Trimester Infant Development
A look at how your baby changes from week 14 to week 25.
by: Dr. Peter Doubilet and Dr. Carol Benson
Second Trimester Development
- At 15 weeks, your baby can make facial expressions and may even suck her thumb.
- By 17 weeks, an ultrasound should be able to show you the sex of your baby.
- By 19 weeks, your baby will be able to hear your voice if you read her a story or sing a song.
- Your baby will measure a little over a foot in length and will weigh more than one pound by end of the second trimester.
ften referred to as "the honeymoon phase," the second trimester lies between the first, in which women are often plagued by morning sickness, and the third, in which moms are often carrying so much extra weight that they're ready for the pregnancy to be over. And, when it comes to ultrasounds, the second trimester is the most exciting time for parents. The baby's face, limbs, and internal organs are now large enough to see in exquisite detail. And, if your baby cooperates during your ultrasound, you may even be able to determine its sex. To view the full story click here.
Baby's Development in the First Trimester
From single cell to human fetus: a detailed look at your baby’s first three months
by: Dr. Peter Doubilet and Dr. Carol Benson
First Trimester Development
- Your pregnancy countdown starts from the beginning of your last menstrual period.
- At just five weeks, your pregnancy will be visible on ultrasound.
- By six weeks, the regular flicker of a heartbeat is first visible on ultrasound.
- At nine weeks, your baby's head is large in relation to the trunk, and the arms and legs are short and flipper-like.
- By the end of the first trimester, your baby's body proportions have changed to become similar to those of a newborn.
fter first discovering they’re pregnant, most women can’t wait to find out more about the changes that are about to take place in their bodies. The first trimester is the most amazing three-month period in biology; what begins as a single cell (the fertilized egg) will become a tiny fetus with all of the baby’s internal organs in place and recognizable human features in just 13 short weeks. Here’s a look at your baby’s development in the first trimester: To view the full story click here.
