Pregnancy Development in 9 th week (courtesy : www.pregnancyhut.com)

In this week, the baby has left its embryonic stage, and now will be considered a fetus. It has all the features of a human, yet small in size. Now, the embryonic tail has disappeared, and the baby is now rapidly gaining weight. The eyelids are fully formed, have fused shut, and will open during week 28. The gender of the baby can be found out at this stage. The baby’s joints are well developed and flexible, so that it can move freely in the amniotic sac. The heart is then developed into four chambers and the valves are developing.

The fetus is able to make a fist and sucks the thumb at this stage. The salivary glands and vocal chord are developing. The size of the head is quite big, as compared to the rest of the body and curves into the chest. Its is of the size of a grape, and measures almost 11/2 inches from the head to the rump and weighing a fraction of an ounce.

Now the bulge of the uterus in the lower abdomen is noticeable, if not visually, then in many other ways. The tendency of frequently urinating is increased, and many mothers might experience some round ligament pain.

During this week, the woman begins to gain weight as her appetite improves. There is a reduction in the sexual desire, as you feel constantly tired and nauseated. The morning sickness symptoms is on its peak during this month and will now gradually decrease. Pregnancy can have a negative effect on the dental health. Regular brushing and flossing teeth helps in reducing dental problems accompanied by an increase in calcium intake.

Pregnancy Development in 8 th week (courtesy : www.health.howstuffworks.com)

During this week, it is said that the baby has been graded from embryo to fetus. Till now, the body of the baby was a frame of cartilage.But from now onwards, the cartilage is being replaced by bone cells. Because of the bones, the arms and legs have become hard and joints rae being formed. The vertebrae and ribs are growing while the spinal cord is evident. The embryonic tail is now disappearing, and the baby’s body is beginning to straighten out.

Till the end of this week, the fetus is almost 0.6 inches long. The brain, digestive system, intestines, anus is in the growing stage. The fingers and toes have just begun to form, and now the arms can bend at the elbows and wrists. The facial features are in the stage of development, such as the tip of the nose, flap of skin over the eyes convert into eyelids, and the upper lip are being formed. The baby’s heart has begun to separate into four chambers. Blood continues to flow through a rudimentary circulatory system.

Even though, not many changes are differentiated from outside, yet many changes have occurred in the body. Now the uterus has expanded to about the size of a grapefruit, and may cause some cramping or pain. In this time, the breasts become sore and heavy. The colour of your nipples and the area around it darkens. The breasts have become more tender and sensitive than usual.

Another most common change found is the increased sensation of heartburn, indigestion, or a feeling of being bloated. It is always suggested, to wear loose-fitting clothes and eat small, frequent meals and never overfill the stomach.

Pregnancy Development in 3rd Week (courtesy : www.pregnancyhut.com)

Third week pregnancy is considered to be the stage of rapid development in your body, where the baby is just like a tiny ball having hundreds of cells growing. The blastocyst is converted to the placenta, that produces HCG, a pregnancy hormone. At this stage, the amniotic fluid is collected around the cells protecting and covering the baby through the pregnancy. A lot many developments take place during this time, like the baby’s brain, heart, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract. The size of the head is small as .006 inches and can be seen with the naked eye. At this stage the heart starts beating and the size of the baby is .2 to .5 mm. There are a total of 46 chromosomes which combine to form the embryo. During this time, the conception has already occurred and the gender, color, features and characteristics of the baby are already determined.

As this is the initial stage of pregnancy, most of the women would not find any specific physical changes. But it is a matter of fact that some women often lose weight, because of the reduction of the diet, due to the hormonal changes in the body. Some also can sense mild cramps and increase in vaginal discharge. Few may experience small amount of bleeding or discomfort at this time, but if it persists for a long time, or is excessive then you must got to your gynec.