FETAL DEVELOPMENT

1 - 2 weeks

Getting ready; pregnancy counted from last period

Before egg meets sperm

3 week

Fertilization; zygote → morula (raspberry-like)

week 4

Implantation; blastocyst embeds in uterus

week 5

hCG rises; 3 layers form (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm)

week 6

Neural tube closes; early heart & organs; C-shaped embryo
develops brain and spinal cord

week 7

Head & face form; arm/leg buds appear

week 8

Nose & fingers form; trunk straightens

week 9

Toes appear; arms elongate; eyelids form

week 10

Elbows bend; fingers/toes separate

week 11

Genitals develop; tooth buds; red blood cells in liver

week 12

Fingernails; intestines in abdomen

week 13

End of first trimester; fingerprints; organs visible

week 14

Brain impulses active; kidneys working; thumb-sucking

week 15

Eyelids fused but sense light; sex visible on ultrasound

week 16

avocado
Scalp patterning; legs stronger; head upright

week 17

turnip moves
Joints move; skeleton hardens; umbilical cord thickens

week 18

bell pepper flex
Baby moves arms/legs; myelin forms

week 19

pomegranate senses
Senses develop; may hear voice

week 20

banana digestion
Swallowing; digestive system produces meconium

week 21

manga kick
Stronger kicks; activity patterns

week 22

sweet potato face
Baby looks like newborn; lips & eyebrows

week 23

grape ears
Hearing improves

week 24

corn body
Long, lean; thin skin

week 25

squash fat and hair
Fat deposits under skin; hair grows

week 26

spaghetti lungs
Practicing breathing; lung development

week 27

cauliflower brain
Sleep-wake cycles; brain active; lungs still developing
END OF 2ND SEMESTER

week 28

eggplant eyes
Eyesight develops; can blink; eyelashes grown

week 29

butternut muscle
Muscles & lungs mature; head grows

week 30

cabbage fluid
Amniotic fluid ~1.5 pints for cushion for the baby

week 31

coconut fat
Turns head; fat fills limbs

week 32

papaya weight gain
Gains ~1 lb/week; half goes to baby

week 33

pineapple skull
Skull bones unfused

week 34

Maturity
CNS & lungs mature; early preterm survival good

week 35

honeydew organs
Movements strong; kidneys & liver ready

week 36

romaine weight
Gains ~1 oz/day; lanugo & vernix shed

week 37

charizard resemblance
Resembles newborn; lungs & brain maturing

week 38

mini watermelon eyes
Eye color not fixed yet

week 39

pumpkin full term
Full-term; fat accumulation; uterus crowded

week 40

watermelon delivery
Due date; baby ~size of watermelon

week 41

EXPLOSION d jk kwan ito post date alert
Late-term; monitoring for induction