Hear The Heartbeat
The baby's heartbeat begins early in the pregnancy. You can download the heartbeat by clicking here

Human Development

The age of an unborn child (gestational age) is measured in two different ways. Embryologists (doctors and scientists who study the early stages of pregnancy) measure the age of an unborn child from the estimated day of conception (the time when you actually become pregnant). On the other hand, practicing doctors measure an unborn child's age from the first day of your last menstrual period, which usually occurs two weeks before conception. The development of the unborn child is described below from the day of conception.

Scientists and doctors sometimes use other terms to refer to the unborn child as it develops before birth. Therefore, in the early stages of development (up to 8 weeks generally) the unborn child may be referred to as an embryo, and in the later stages, the unborn child may be called a fetus.

Day 1
Sperm joins with the egg, or ovum, to form one cell smaller than a grain of salt. Twenty-three chromosomes from each parent join to form every detail of human development: sex, hair, eye color, height, skin tone, personality, emotional make-up and other inherited characteristics. Everything is in place so that if development continues normally, a baby will be born in 38 weeks.

Days 3-4
The fertilized egg is rapidly dividing as it travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus where for the last two weeks, the lining has been preparing for it.

Days 5-9
The fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus and begins to draw nourishment, which enables the baby to grow.

Days 10-14, Week 2
Cells split off to become the placenta, which provides nourishment for the unborn child. Placental chemicals and hormones prevent the mother from menstruating.

Day 20, Week 3
The unborn child is now the size of an apple seed. The placenta and umbilical cord are now functioning. The foundations for the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are established.

Day 21, Week 3
The heart begins to beat.

Day 28, Week 4
The backbone and muscles are forming. Arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show. Hair has begun to sprout.

It is usually during this time a woman first discovers she is pregnant.

Day 30, Week 4
The unborn child is 10,000 times larger than the original fertilized egg. The heart is pumping increasing quantities of blood through the circulatory system. The placenta forms a unique barrier that keeps the mother's blood separate while allowing food and oxygen to pass through to the child.

Day 35, Week 5
Five fingers can be seen in the hand. The eyes darken as pigment is produced. The unborn child is now the size of a raspberry.

Day 40, Week 5
Brain waves can be detected and recorded.

Week 6
The liver is now taking over the production of blood cells and the brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs.

Week 7
The uterus is about the size of a tennis ball. The unborn child is moving continuously. The jaw forms, including teeth buds in the gums. The eyelids seal to protect the child's developing light-sensitive eyes.

Week 8
Now a little more than an inch long, the unborn child has everything found in a fully developed adult. The stomach produces digestive juices, the kidneys are functioning and genitals have begun to form. Forty muscle sets operate in conjunction with the nervous system and the fetus responds to touch.

Week 9
Fingerprints are already evident in the skin. The unborn child will curve its fingers around an object placed in its palm. The child weighs about 1/2 ounce and is developing fingernails and hair.

	Week 10 The unborn child can bend, stretch, make fists, open its hands, lift its head, squint and wrinkle its forehead.
	Week 11 The unborn child is now almost 3.5 inches long. Urination occurs.

Week 12
The unborn child now breathes amniotic fluid, sleeps, awakens, exercises, turns its head, curls its toes, and opens and closes its mouth.

Weeks 13 & 14
Fine hair has begun to grow on the head, and sexual differentiation has become apparent.

Week 16
The unborn child is 4.5 to 5.5 inches in length and weighs a half pound or more. The mother will probably begin to show now. The ears are functioning and can hear the mother's voice and heartbeat as well as external noises. The umbilical cord transports 300 quarts of fluids per day and completes a round trip of fluids every 30 seconds.

Week 17
The unborn child rolls, sucks its thumb or hand, kicks, and is learning to swallow.

Week 18
The unborn child weighs about 11 ounces, and the mother will feel small movements.

Week 19
The unborn child is growing a waxy coating called vernix, which coats and protects the skin, making delivery easier.

Week 20, Month 5
The unborn child is about 7.5 to 8 inches long and the mother is feeling stronger movement. The child may jump in reaction to startling or loud sounds.

The Hand of Hope Photo (21 Weeks)

Weeks 21/22
The unborn child weighs about 1 pound.

Week 23
The mother may feel rhythmic jumping because the unborn child may start hiccupping.

Week 24, Month 6
Oil and sweat glands are functioning. The unborn child could be born in this month and survive with the proper care.

Weeks 25/ 26
The unborn child weighs about 1 and1/2 pounds.

Week 27
The unborn child will double or triple in weight between now and birth.

Week 28, Month 7
The child's hair and eyelashes are visible. The unborn child now uses the senses of vision, hearing, taste and touch. He can recognize his mother's voice among other voices.

Week 29
The baby can see light through the walls of the womb and blinks a lot.

Weeks 30/31
Many babies have inverted to a head down position in the uterus now. The mother will probably begin to feel powerful kicks under her rib cage and the ball of the baby's head on the pelvic floor. Now measuring about 11 inches, the unborn child weighs about 4 pounds.

Week 32, Month 8
The skin begins to thicken with a layer of fat stored underneath for insulation and nourishment. Antibodies increase, and the unborn child absorbs about a gallon of amniotic fluid per day. The mother's body completely replaces amniotic fluid every 3 hours.

Week 33
The unborn child may be up to 18 inches, and weigh 6-7 pounds.

Week 34
The baby's toenails have reached the tips of his toes. The umbilical cord is about 20 inches long.

Week 35
The baby's head will dip or drop into the pelvis, alleviating the woman's difficulty in breathing. The uterus will begin small contractions call Braxton-Hicks.

Weeks 36/37, Month 9
The unborn child weighs about 6-9 pounds. The heart is pumping 300 gallons of blood per day. He is fully capable of life outside the womb with minimal intervention. The baby's downy hair and vernix is absorbed into the amniotic fluid and swallowed by the baby. This will produce the baby's first bowel movement after birth.

Week 38
The baby's heartbeat can be heard outside the womb. The baby is ready at any moment to come into the world.