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Click
on image
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Click
here to meet baby Aofie and see her incredible
journey in the womb from conception to birth.
Hear the baby's heartbeat, learn amazing facts, find
out when an unborn child feels pain and more.
Note:
A new browser window will open for this fun and interactive
website produced by Just the Facts Schools Campaign
based in Longford, Ireland.
Simply close the window to return to this site.
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YOUR
FIRST 9 MONTHS
Development of the Embryo and Fetus
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Conception
At conception, the sperm joins with ovum (egg) to form
one cell that contains the complex genetic blueprint for
every detail of human development. At this point the child's
sex, hair and eye color, height, and skin tone are already
mapped out. |
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Month
1
At
4 weeks, the embryo's heart has been beating for one week
already. The beginning of the spinal cord, muscles, and
nerves become apparent. Arms, legs, eyes and ears can
now be seen. The amniotic sac and placenta are in place
and providing nourishment to the embryo. |
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Month
2
This is a critical period of growth for the embryo.
The eyes begin to form and the extremities can be seen
in much more detail, including all ten fingers. The
embryo is now moving and responds to touch. A heartbeat
can be clearly seen and heard by 6 weeks during an Ultrasound
examination.
Hear
the heartbeat:
.wav
file
.mp3 file
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simply close the window to return to this site.)
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Month
3
At the 9th week the embryo is now considered a fetus.
The fetus is able to grasp and can suck his/her thumb.
Fingerprints are already visible in the skin. In addition
to being able to sense touch, the fetus can now feel pain.
At week 12, the fetus sleeps and awakens. |
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Month
4
The fetus is growing very rapidly at this point. The arms
and hands are formed and feet and legs have begun developing.
Hair is visible on the scalp. Sex differentiation becomes
apparent by week 13. |
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Month
5
The ears are now functioning and the baby can hear his
mother's voice. The mother has definitely begun to feel
movement now as the baby pedals her legs, roll over or
turns somersaults. |
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Month
6
The head of the fetus now accounts for 1/3 of her length.
All brain neurons are developed. Eyes open and baby blinks
if there is a sudden noise. If this baby were to be born
prematurely, she has a chance of survival with intensive
medical care. |
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Month
7
Fine, downy hair called lanugo covers the baby's body
-- but by the time of birth, lanugo has all but disappeared.
The tongue has formed taste buds and the eyes have fully
developed. The baby's lungs are completely functioning
and he can even cry. He
is gaining weight rapidly and by the end of the 7th month
may weigh 4 pounds. The amniotic fluid has been reduced
by half to allow room to grow. |
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Month
8
The baby's brain and nervous system are maturing. Research
shows that the child can recognize her mother's voice
as well as other familiar voices. Fingernails are growing
past her fingertips and will need a trim soon after birth.
The baby may begin to move a little less now because of
cramped living space. |
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Month
9
The baby's skin has become soft and smooth and she is
now about 19" long. If all goes according to schedule,
the baby should be ready for birth by the end of this
month. |
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Newborn
Baby
In the first weeks, your newborn will sleep a great deal,
waking up primarily to be fed or changed, to look around
and gaze into your eyes. Her eyes focus best on things
that are close by -- about the distance from a nursing
baby to her mother's face. Her hearing is acute and sense
of smell is especially sharp. |
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Our
sincere thanks to justthefacts.org and American Baby
for providing the images on this page.
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