The first nine months

First month -after one month

• Embryo is 1/4 inch long and curled into a crescent
• Heart, digestive system, nervous system, backbone and spinal cord have begun to form
• Placenta (also called "afterbirth") has begun to develop
• The fertilized egg is now 10,000 times bigger than it was at conception

Second month - after two months

• Embryo is 1⅛ inch long
• The brain begins to develop
• Heart is functioning
• Eyes, nose, mouth and ears are forming
• Bone and muscle begin to grow
• Penis begins to appear in boys
• Embryo is moving, although the mother can not yet feel movement

Third month – after three months

• Foetus is 2 ½ - 3 inches long
• Weighs about ½ to 1 ounce
• Nails begin to develop; earlobes are formed; teeth develop
• Foetus develops recognizable form
• Arms, hands, legs and feet are fully formed and movement is possible
• Eyes are almost fully developed
• By this stage, a foetus has developed most of its organs and tissues
• Foetal heart rate can be heard at 10 weeks with a special instrument called a Doppler

Fourth month – after four months

• Foetus is 6½ to 7 inches long
• Weighs about 6 to 7 ounces
• Foetus is developing reflexes such as sucking and swallowing and may begin sucking his/her thumb
• Sweat glands are forming on palms and soles
• Fingers and toes are well defined
• Skin is bright pink, transparent and covered with soft, downy hair
• Sex can be determined
• The baby could not survive outside the mother's body despite being recognizably human in appearance

Fifth month – after five months

• Foetus is 8 to 10 inches long
• Weighs about 1 pound
• Hair begins to grow on his/her head
• Soft woolly hair called lanugo will cover its body (and some may remain until a week after birth)
• Mother begins to feel foetal movement
• Internal organs are maturing
• Eyebrows, eyelids and eyelashes appear

Sixth month – after six months

• Foetus is 11 to 14 inches long
• Weighs about 1¾ to 2 pounds
• Eyelids begin to part and eyes open occasionally for brief times
• Skin is covered with protective coating called vernix
• Foetus is able to hiccup
• Taste buds appear

Seventh month – after seven months

• Foetus is 14 to 16 inches long
• Weighs about 2½ to 3½ pounds
• Taste buds have developed
• Fat layers are forming although skin is still wrinkled and red
• Organs are maturing
• If born now, the baby will be considered premature and will require special care

Eighth month – after eight months

• Foetus is 16½ to 18 inches long
• Weighs about 4 to 6 pounds
• There is rapid overall growth during this month
• This month sees tremendous brain development
• Most body organs are now developed apart from the lungs, and the kidneys are mature
• Fingernails now extend beyond fingertips
• Kicks are strong enough to be visible from outside
• Skin is becoming smoother

Ninth month: after nine months

• Foetus is 19 to 20 inches long
• Weighs about 7 to 7½ pounds
• The lungs are mature
• More fat is formed round the body
• Baby is now fully developed and ready to survive outside the mother's body
• Skin is pink and smooth
• The baby settles down lower in the abdomen ready for birth and might seem less active