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Foetal Development
A phenomenal event has occurred in your body – the start of a brand new life and the first stage of a wonderful journey of a lifetime with your baby.
| Month 1
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Here’s what happens – after a woman ovulates, the egg is normally fertilised within 24 to 48 hours.
The fertilised egg then travels down one of the fallopian tubes towards the uterus and attaches itself to the uterine wall. |
| Month 2
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Your baby’s development is very rapid during the second month.
All major body organs and body systems, including the brain, lungs, liver and stomach have begun to develop. |
| Month 3
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By the third month, your baby has graduated from being an embryo to being a full-fledged foetus.
Facial features continue to develop and your baby begins to look more human every day. |
| Month 4
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By now, you should be able to feel gentle kicks and movements. However, not feeling movements until next month is perfectly normal as well.
Your baby has begun to develop reflexes such as sucking and swallowing and may begin to suck its thumb anytime now. |
| Month 5
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This is a period of tremendous growth for your baby.
Hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and teeth begin to form and the face continues to develop. |
| Month 6
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Your baby’s eyelids begin to part and the eyes are open for short periods of time.
The lungs are continuing to develop. |
| Month 7
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Your baby’s eyes are open fully now and can respond to pain, light and sound.
Shine a light towards your tummy and Baby may turn towards it. |
| Month 8
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Your baby is getting ready for birth and is probably in the head-down position.
This month will see your baby’s brain grow dramatically. |
| Month 9
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In the final month of foetal development, the baby is considered full-term.
The lanugo is mostly gone, and hair on the head has developed to varying degrees. |
