9 Month Miracle

Month 1Weeks 0-4

About 5-7 days after fertilization,implantation occurs.

The zygote begins to grow,doubling in size each day.

The placenta and umbilical cordbegins to grow.

The amniotic sac protects the baby from bumps and pressure.

Month 1Weeks 0-4

The baby will develop a spinal cord in which the vertebrae will begin to grow.Nerve development willbegin soon.The heart begins to beat on day 25.

Month 1Weeks 0-4

The embryo becomes 3 layers around 5 weeks.*The outer layer is brain, nerves, and

skin. *The middle layer is bones, muscles,

blood vessels, heart and sex organs. *The inner layer holds stomach, liver, intestines, lungs and urinary tract.

Month 1Weeks 0-4

The weight is a fraction

of an ounce.

The length is about ½ inch or the size of a grain of rice.

Month 1MOM

At your first doctor (obstetrician) visit expect:pregnancy test (HCG)

blood test (type and anemia)urinalysis (sugar, protein, WBC, bacteria)

blood screens (rubella, STI’s)pap smear for cervical cancer

possibly gestational diabetes testing

Month 1MOM

You may experience:fatigue/sleepinessfrequent urinationnausea/vomiting

heartburn/indigestionfood aversions/cravings

mood swings

Month 2Weeks 4-9

Development is very rapidduring this time.All major organs and bodysystems are developing. Eyelids form and grow butremain sealed shut.The inner ear is forming.Ankles, toes, wrists, fingers and sex organs are developing.

Month 2Weeks 4-9

At the end of month 2, the baby looks like a tiny human infant.

If it is a boy, the penis will begin to appear.At this point the baby is a little over 1 inch

long and weighs less than 1 ounce.From this point on, the baby is called a fetus.

Month 2MOM

At your doctor’s visit they will:check height and weight

blood pressureurine (sugar and protein)

size of your uterusask you for questions

Month 2MOM

You may be experiencing: “not feeling pregnant” yet

feel very tired feel nausea/vomit

constipated headaches/dizziness

mood swings

Month 3Weeks 9-13

The baby is completely formedby the end of this month.The baby has begun to movebut it is too early to feel it.Fingers and toes are distinctwith soft finger nails.The head is large compared to the rest of the body

Month 3Weeks 9-13

Hair might have started to grow on the baby’s head.Tooth buds are formed under the gums.Vocal cords start to develop.

Month 3Weeks 9-13

The heart has 3 chambers and beats 120-160 beats per minute.

Kidneys are now developed and start draining urine

Intestines form outside the body because they cannot fit inside.

Month 3Weeks 9-13

At the end of this month, thebaby weighs just over 1 ounceand will be about 4 inches long.

Month 3MOM

At your visit this month, the doctor will check:weight

blood pressureurine

fetal heartbeat (can now be heard)size of uterus

height of the fundus (top of the uterus)

Month 3MOM

You may notice additional veins due to increased blood flow.

Your abdomen my appear larger.You may feel fluttering movements (the beginnings of movement) along with jerking

motions from hiccups.

Month 4Weeks 13-18

The baby’s skin is pinkand somewhat transparent.Eyebrows and eyelashesappear in this month.The head makes up abouthalf of the baby’s size.The baby now moves, kicks, sleeps, wakes,

swallows, and passes urine.

Month 4Weeks 13-18

You may start to feel slight sensations in your lower abdomen called quickening.

The baby is completely dependent on the umbilicalcord and placenta for oxygen.

The sex organs are now formed.

Month 4Weeks 13-18

The weight is about 6 oz or about ½ pound.

The length is 8-10 inches.

Month 4MOM

The obstetrician will check all the usual things.You should be consuming between 2,000 and

2,700 calories per day.You may begin to “feel pregnant” now and

begin gaining weight.Many of the 1st trimester symptom will go away and be replaced with nasal congestion,

bleeding gums and swelling.

Month 4MOM

You may develop varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Your emotions will still seem like they are on a roller coaster ride.

Month 5Weeks 18-23

Finger nails have now gown to the end of the fingers.Baby is storing fat for delivery.The baby’s muscles are growing and getting strongerevery day.

Month 5Weeks 18-23

The baby sleeps and wakes at regular intervals.

The baby is much more active now and have developed a lie. Movement is a good sign. It shows the nervous system is developing normally.

The fetus now reacts to noise from the outside world.

Month 5Weeks 18-23

At the end of month 5, the

average length

is 10-12 inches.

At the end of month 5, the

average weight is about

1 pound.

Month 5MOM

check for the same thingslower abdomen achiness(from stretching ligaments into support uterus)leg crampsincreased heart rateback achelinea nigra and stretch marks

Month 6Weeks 23-27

Skin is now wrinkled andred in color.Baby is covered in vernix.Baby is covered withlanugo.The brain is developingrapidly.Baby’s bones are becomingsolid.

Month 6Weeks 23-27

Meconium is developing.

Baby has special type of fat (brown fat) that keeps baby warm at birth.

Baby is fully formed and looks like a mini human.

Month 6Weeks 23-27

The baby is around 11-14

inches in length and weighs about

1-1 ½ pounds

Month 6MOM

check weight, blood pressure, urine, fetal

heartbeat, height of fundus, varicose veins……

also experience more fetal activity, heartburn, dizziness, bleeding gums, leg cramps,

enlarged breasts and an itchy abdomen……

Month 7Weeks 27-32

Eyes can now open and close and can sense light changes.

Baby can hear the outside world over your heart beat.

Baby is kicking and stretching.

Baby likes to suck it’s thumb.

Month 7Weeks 27-32

The baby is approximately 15 incheslong and weighs between 2 and 2 ½ pounds.

IF the baby was born now, chance of survivalwould be better.

Month 7MOM

Still checking weight gain, bloodpressure, urine, fundal height, fetalheartbeat and any other questions.

Month 7MOM

You and your partner should have started prenatal classes now.

You will begin going to the doctor every two weeks now.

You may experience shortness of breath and frequent urination.

You may have Braxton Hicks contractions.

Colostrum may leak from your breasts.

You may become bored and weary or apprehensive about your pregnancy.

Month 8Weeks 32-36

Your baby is growing very quickly and getting cramped in the uterus.

Bones are getting stronger, limbs getting fatter, and skin has a healthy glow.

Taste buds are developing and baby can tell difference between sweet and sour.

There is an increase in the amount of amniotic fluid,

Month 8Weeks 32-38

Your baby is almost ready to be born now. It is 16-18 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds at the end of this month.

Month 8MOM

The doctor will do the same things done in previous

months.At this point you will be feeling strong, regular fetal activity.

You may be able to see the outline of arms or feet in your stomach.

Braxton Hicks contractions will increase.

Your belly button may even begin to stick out

Month 8MOM

This is the time to ask your doctor any questions you have about labor and delivery.

You are probably more than ready to have your baby. You are probably concerned about it’s health too.

Month 9Weeks 36-40

Your baby is gaining about ½ pound per week. Baby is getting fatter

and skin becomes more smooth.

Hopefully the baby is in the fetal position.

The head is moving into the birth canal. This is called lightening.

Blood flow is steady through the umbilical cord keeping it taut.

Month 9Weeks 36-40

The baby will not move as much because there is not as much room as before. Now it

is more that wave movements in the stomach.Your baby’s lungs

are now developed and there is a great chance of survival.

The bones of the head have not

fused together to make delivery

easier.

Month 9Weeks 36-40

The baby is about

20 inches long.

The baby is about

7 ½ pounds.

Month 9MOM

You will now be visiting the obstetrician weekly for the regular things.

Doctor will be checking the presentation of the baby (head and feet).

Doctor will be checking the position of the baby (facing front or back)

Doctor will check for effacement and dilation of the cervix.

Month 9MOM

Doctor will discuss when to call him with labor pains (not Braxton Hicks)

Movement will change to squirming and rolling as opposed to kicking.

You will have increased backache, breathing and sleep problems

Good news---you will be able to breath easier

Month 9MOM

Mom will experience lightening.Mom will experience nesting.Mom may become excited (it’s almost over),

apprehensive (can I do this or do I want to do this) or irritable (just get it over with)

Remember to have your bag ready for the hospital---you never know!