Pregnancy Development Timeline

Pre-Conception and Early Pregnancy

• Weeks 1-2: Not technically pregnant. Period and ovulation occur.
  • Egg fertilization happens during ovulation.
  • Fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus.

Weeks 3-4

• Implantation: Fertilized egg (blastocyst) implants in the uterine lining.
• Hormone Production: Begins releasing hCG, detectable by pregnancy tests.

Weeks 5-6

• Week 5: Baby’s heart begins to beat.
• Neural Development:
  • Neural plate forms (foundation for brain and spinal cord).
  • Neural tube forms by week 6.
  • Importance of folic acid: 400 mcg before pregnancy, 600 mcg during pregnancy.

Two Months

• Heart Development: Heart begins to pulse.
• Limb Buds: Beginning stages of limb development.
• Organ Formation: Early development of brain, sensory organs, digestive tract.
• Tail Formation: Tail structure develops, later regresses into the tailbone.

Three Months

• Human Appearance: Limbs, fingers, toes form; skin is transparent.
• Reproductive Organs: Begin to form, not detectable via ultrasound.
• Risk of Miscarriage: Drops significantly after the third month.

Second Trimester

• Lanugo: Fine hair covering body, protecting against amniotic fluid.
• Sensory Development: Smell, vision, touch, taste, hearing developing.
  • Baby can hear voices, sense light.
• Movement: From subtle flutters to noticeable kicks and jabs.
• Sex Determination: Possible via ultrasound.

Third Trimester

• 7th Month: Fetus continues growth in size and weight.
• Lung Development: Lungs reaching maturity, increasing survival chances if born prematurely.
• Week 36: Baby gains approximately half a pound and grows half an inch weekly.
• Positioning: Many babies turn head-down in preparation for birth.

Conclusion

• Video encourages viewers to watch more content on vaginal delivery and C-section.