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Prenatal Diagnosis & Treatment Center
Pregnancy Facts
MONTH ONE:
 The embryo is approximately 1/2 inch long and weighs less than 1/2 ounce. The heart, lungs, brain, and limb buds have begun developing. The heart begins beating by the 25th day. For mom, morning sickness can occur as a result of more hormone production related to pregnancy.
MONTH TWO:
 The embryo is approximately 1 inch long and weighs less than 1 ounce. The major organs are now in place. Formation of the eyelids and ears have begun. Tiny hands, fingers, knees, ankles, and toes are beginning to develop. The placenta now develops. For mom, some weight gain can be expected around this time as well as some fatigue.
MONTH THREE:
The embryo has now become a fetus. The fetus is approximately 4 inches long and weight just over 1 ounce. Soft fingernails and toenails are forming as are places for 20 teeth. At approximately 12 weeks, the fetal heartbeat can be heard with a special Doppler device in the doctor's office. For mom, morning sickness may still be present. Some moms may feel warmer than usual.
MONTH FOUR:
The fetus is approximately 6-7 inches long and weighs about 5 ounces and is completely formed. From this point forward, the fetus will be maturing and gaining weight. Eyebrows and a small amount of hair are now present. The baby moves, kicks, swallows, urinates, sleeps and wakes. For mom, the end of the month will begin the time of quickening or the feeling of flutters (baby's first movements felt by mom).
MONTH FIVE:
The baby is approximately 8-12 inches long and weighs about 1/2 to 1 pound. Fingernails now apparent. The brain is continuing to develop. This is the optimal time for most mothers (especially first time moms) to feel the baby move.
MONTH SIX:
The baby is approximately 11-14 inches long and weighs about 1-1/2 pounds. At this time, the baby is covered with fine-soft hair. This is usually the greatest period of maternal weight gain. For mom, some discomfort may result from the stretching of uterine muscles.
MONTH SEVEN
The baby is approximately 15 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds and experiences a great deal of growth during this month. The eyes can open and close at this time. For mom, minor contractions (called Braxton-Hicks contractions) can be felt around this time.
MONTH EIGHT:
The baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 5 pounds. For mom, more kicks are felt than flips or rolls.
MONTH NINE:
The baby is approximately 20 inches long and weighs about 7 pounds. At this stage, the baby gains approximately 1/2 pound per week and will (most times) move into the maternal pelvis just before birth (a time when mom may noticed that the baby has dropped). Birth can occur between the 37th and 42nd week.
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