Prenatal Development – Month to Month

Many expecting moms often wish they could peek into their wombs daily just to see what’s happening, to check if their growing baby is doing alright. Naturally, it is impossible to have a daily ultrasound or a camera that sees through skin, so MommyMundo put together a quick cheat sheet for all expecting moms who want to know what stage their baby is in when it comes to prenatal development!

First month

In the first month following conception, the baby is a mass of cells. But a mass of cells with a purpose! The amniotic sac and placenta begin to develop. A face slowly starts to form, along with the mouth, jaw, and throat. In terms of prenatal brain development, the neural plate—the first step to the creation of the brain and spinal cord—begins to form.

Second month

In the short span of eight weeks, prenatal development develops rapidly. The embryo now has the beginnings of all its basic organs, except its sex organs. It begins to form limbs, mainly knees and elbows. In terms of prenatal brain development, the basic structures of the brain and central nervous systems are established. This basic brain begins producing neurons at around the 42nd day following conception. This process will be complete in just 20 weeks in the womb.

The end of the second month marks one of the major pregnancy milestones because it is the end of the embryonic period. The baby is officially a fetus!

Third month

Now begins the fetal period. Reflexes begin to emerge. The fetus grows in weight and length, and the sex organs begin to form. Baby brain development is focused on neuron production and the formation of nerves that will slowly reach every point of the baby’s body.

All of this and the baby weighs just three ounces!

Fourth month

In the fourth month, the baby continues to grow. Its heartbeat grows stronger, and it increases around six times in size. Around the end of this period, at sixteen weeks, the baby can begin to hear, and what it does hear is processed by its developing brain, making this one of the major pregnancy milestones of baby brain development. It is around this time that many people recommend mothers start playing music for their babies.

Fifth month

The fifth month brings about changes many mothers are surprised to learn. At this time, fingernails, hair, eyelashes, and toenails begin to develop and grow! The baby’s muscles start to move. In this period fetus brain development is focused on growing the brain and developing reflexes.

Sixth month

By the sixth month, fetus brain development has advanced so that babies can actually respond to what they hear through movement because the brain and central nervous system have become responsive. Mothers may feel their babies jump when a loud noise happens. Around this time movement is visible in the belly.

Seventh month

By the seventh month, the baby’s hearing is fully developed. It is around this time that one of the biggest baby milestones in the womb is achieved: the brain starts to mature faster and its activity is similar to that of a sleeping newborn. 

Eight month

Another one of the baby milestones in the womb is achieved: the baby can now see! It cannot seem much, but it can see light and can respond to it. In terms of its overall development, the baby’s organs are almost all fully formed. The only exception are the lungs. 

Ninth month

At the end of the ninth month, the baby’s lungs are fully developed, all their organs are functioning. Its brain has developed to maintain all of the body’s systems, and have all basic reflexes like blinking, touching, grasping, and opening its mouth. The baby is ready to be born!