For expectant mothers, pregnancy is a time of excitement, anticipation, and wonder. One of the most thrilling aspects of this journey is seeing your baby developing inside the womb.

But what does the baby look like in the womb? Let’s delve deeper into the various stages of baby’s growth.

Weeks 1-12: First Trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy is the period when the fetus grows the most. By the end of the first month, the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. By the fourth week, the neural tube develops and forms the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

At around six weeks, the baby’s heart starts beating, though it’s not yet visible through ultrasound.

By eight weeks, the baby is called an embryo. It’s about as big as a kidney bean at this point and has distinct facial features, including two dark spots that mark the beginning of the eyes, nostrils, ears, and a mouth.

The baby’s brain is forming, making room for the growth of nerves and nerve cells.

By the end of the first trimester, at around 12 weeks, the embryo will have grown into a fetus. The fetus is about 3 inches long, and its head is around half of its body size.

At this point, the baby’s face is fully formed, including eyebrows, eyelashes, and fingernails. The baby can even make facial expressions and move the limbs, although the mother will not feel these movements yet.

Weeks 13-26: Second Trimester

The second trimester of pregnancy is often referred to as the “golden period”, as the mother has overcome many of the initial pregnancy symptoms. During this stage, the baby continues to grow in size and develop significantly.

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By 16 weeks, the baby is around the size of an avocado, and its facial features have become more pronounced. The baby’s genitals are starting to develop, although it may be too early to tell the gender through ultrasound.

By 22 weeks, the baby’s brain is fully formed, and it’s around the size of a small doll, measuring around 10 inches in length and weighing around 1lb.

At 24 weeks, the baby’s lungs start to develop, preparing for life outside the womb. By 26 weeks, the baby’s hearing is fully developed, and it can hear the sounds from outside the womb.

Weeks 27-40: Third Trimester

In the third trimester, the baby is almost fully grown and prepared for birth. During this stage, the baby’s brain continues to develop, and its nervous and immune systems mature.

By 32 weeks, the baby weighs around 4 pounds, and its skin has become less translucent. The baby’s bones have also hardened, and it can regulate its own body temperature.

By 36 weeks, the baby’s head should have engaged in the pelvis, ready for birth. The baby continues to gain weight, with an average weight of around 7.5 pounds by full-term.

The final weeks of pregnancy, from week 38 to 40, are crucial, as the baby is fully matured and ready to start the journey of life outside the womb. During this stage, the baby is increasingly cramped inside the womb, and its movements may decrease.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a miraculous journey, and it’s incredible to see how the baby develops and grows inside the womb. The three trimesters bring significant changes to the baby, from an embryo to a fully-formed fetus ready for birth.

Each trimester is unique, and it’s intriguing to see how the baby develops facial features, limbs, internal organs and systems.