Milestones of Growth in the Unborn
Child
Day 1 Sperm
enters egg cell and conception has occurred. First cell
divides into two, then four, then eight and so on.
Day 2-4 Baby passes through the fallopian tubes on the way
to the uterus.
5-9 days The baby burrows into the uterine wall.
14 days Menstrual period is suppressed by child's hormone
production
18 days Heart is forming and eyes start to develop.
20 days Brain, spinal cord and nervous system forming
24 days Heart starts beating.
28 days Muscles begin to develop along spine, arms and legs
are budding.
30 days Brain now has human proportions, baby has own blood
system.
35 days Facial features taking shape, pituitary glad
forming in brain.
40 days Baby is about 1 inch long and has recognizable
eyes, ears, nose, lips, tongue, arms, hands, fingers,
knees, ankles and toes.
42 days Skeleton complete, brain functional, reflex
responses apparent, penis forming in males.
43 days Brain waves can be recorded
45 days Spontaneous movements. Milk teeth buds appear
7 Weeks Lips sensitive to touch, ears obvious.
8 weeks Every organ present and child is obviously human,
stomach produces digestive juices, liver forming blood
cells, kidneys functional, taste buds forming. skeleton is
beginning to change from cartilage to real bone.
8.5 weeks Fingerprints forming, eyelids and palms sensitive
to touch.
9 weeks Fingers can bend, thumb sucking begins, fingernails
forming.
10 weeks Entire body touch sensitive, child can make faces
and swallow.
11 weeks Urinates, smiles.
12 weeks Vigorous activity, individual character traits
apparent, many physical motions are obvious: jumping.
kicking, making fist, turning head, opening mouth, etc.
13 weeks Baby's facial features more pronounced and
resemble parents, vocal chords formed, sex organs apparent,
wake and sleep cycle can be determined, baby may have
hiccups.
4 months Child can grasp with hands, swim, turn
somersaults, mother may feel movement, rapid growth as baby
nears 24 oz or more, external events provoke response from
baby.
5 months Mom can usually determine baby's sleep cycle,
although external activities can startle baby awake and
promote a flurry of activity, kicks and punches are
obvious, baby response to external sounds.
6 months Fine hair covers eye brows and head, babies born
at this stage can survive.
7 months Eyelids open and close as baby looks around, hands
grip strongly, baby will respond to a parent's voice, all
but the sense of smell is active.
8 months Weight has increased to over 2 lbs. and womb is
becoming cramped. Mother experiencing trouble breathing as
uterus reaches the full extent of the cavity.
9 months Baby nears delivery. At 255-280 days after
conception, the child triggers labor and is born.
These milestones have been documented by scientific
research. Slight variations my exist and future research
may show that these milestones actually occur earlier than
indicated here.
Contact
Information:
Kathy
Barr, CCD, CCCE, CCM, BE, PE, CVE, Traditional Naturopath
817-819-8457