Note: A pregnancy usually lasts 38 weeks from conception, or 40 weeks from the start of your last menstrual period (LMP). If you are counting from the date of conception, just add two weeks to use this calendar. For example, if you conceived two weeks ago, you are in week 4 by the usual method.
The length of the developing baby is measured from the crown of the head to the bottom of the baby's rump, this is referred to as the CRL measurement
your baby will double in size this week, from 4mm to 8mm, about the size of an M&M
baby's heart is beginning to divide into chambers this week
areas which will become the eyes, ears, and nose continue to develop
arm and leg buds are present now, and by the end of the week the beginning of little hands and feet are there
baby grows a tail that will gradually disappear as the body grows
you may be feeling nausea, breast tenderness, or other symptoms now
these symptoms are caused for the most part by the rush of hormones in your body
if you are feeling nauseous, it may be a good thing, as nausea is usually associated with rising progesterone levels which are necessary to maintain a pregnancy - small comfort I know :)
however, don't worry if you aren't nauseous or don't experience many early pregnancy symptoms - everyone reacts differently to the hormonal and physical changes that come along with growing a baby
Week 8
little fingers are starting to form and the arms and hands continue to lengthen and develop
baby's head has grown larger in proportion to the body
the eyes are obvious now, as the retina develops pigment (already eye color is beginning to develop)
at the start of this week ears are visible as little slits on the baby's head, much lower than they will be at birth
by the end of this eight week the ears will have developed further and look quite like little baby ears
the face is continuing to take shape, with the nose and upper lip forming this week
baby is 13mm or about half an inch long
Week 9
baby will grow from 13 to 18mm this week, from pinto to kidney bean size
eyelids are beginning to develop and a little chin is visible, but still not very developed
little arms are continuing to change, with elbows and wrists becoming more apparent
tiny fingers are growing, but are still fused together
Week 10
this is the most critical time in a baby's development, as the essential internal organs and other parts of the baby are forming
it's the legs' turn to grow, with knees and toes developing
by the end of week 10, baby is 30mm or about an inch and a quarter, like a 2-peanut shell
upper arms get longer and the elbow bends, fingers are now distinct, but still have webbing between them
baby's sex organs are developing, but you still can't tell if it's a boy or a girl
baby begins to move this week, but is still too small for these movements to be felt by mommy
if you've experienced mild nausea in the past weeks, it may start to subside now, however, everyone's different, and pregnancy-related nausea can last anywhere from a few weeks to the entire pregnancy
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Sources for fetal development information include: The Developing Human by Moore and Persaud, how life begins by Christopher Vaughan, and Your Pregnancy Week-by-Week by Glade B. Curtis
This internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health or that of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.