A summary of a document compiled by Dr Marika Kaksonen, available by clicking on the button. The document is quoted with permission.
Note: Weeks of pregnancy are counted from the date of your last menstrual period. Thus, the official age of the unborn baby, as indicated by the weeks of gestation, is approximately two weeks more than the actual age of the baby at conception.
STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
1-3 weeks
In the third week of conception, the central nervous system starts to develop, and around 22-23 days after conception the heart starts beating. At the same time, the face, eyes and ears begin to develop.
5 weeks
By the fifth week after conception, the eyes, nose and mouth are already distinguishable and by the sixth week, the eyelids are beginning to develop and the baby is able to move spontaneously.
7 weeks
Seven weeks after conception, the baby can squeak and move its upper and lower limbs. By eight weeks after conception, the face, fingers and toes are formed. By now, the baby looks distinctly human. The baby can stretch, turn its head and touch its face. By this time you may even see the first signs of right- or left-handedness!
8-9 weeks
Nine weeks after conception, the baby yawns and can swallow amniotic fluid, and 10 weeks after conception the nails are formed.
11-12 weeks
12 weeks after conception, the baby's external genitals are recognisable. At this point, the baby can also press its lips together. In twin pregnancies, uterine babies of this age have been found to touch their siblings in a way that seems social rather than random.
14 weeks
At 14 weeks after conception, your baby can respond to the music it hears in the womb by moving its mouth.
19 weeks
At 19 weeks after conception, the baby responds with movements of the arms, head and mouth as the mother strokes her tummy.
40 weeks
A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. It is generally thought that babies born after week 24 can only survive, but every year younger and smaller premature babies are surviving.
Curtis Means - 21 weeks!
Curtis Means, from Alabama, who was born at 21 weeks and weighed just 420 grams, has survived intensive care!