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Day 1
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Fertilization occurs. The sperm (23 chromosomes) and ovum (egg, 23 chromosomes) join to form a single cell, smaller than a grain of salt. This one cell contains the complex genetic blueprint for every detail of the baby's development - the child's sex, hair color, height, etc. |
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Days 2-5
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The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where the lining has been prepared for implantation. |
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Days
5-9
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The developing embryo will burrow into the wall of the uterus (implantation) and begin to draw nourishment from his mother. |
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Days
10-14
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Because of placental chemicals and hormones, mom's period will not normally start.
These also prevent mom's body from attacking the embryo as foreign tissue. |
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Days
21-24
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The circulatory system of the baby is closed and the heart now begins to beat, pumping blood throughout his tiny body. |
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Day
28
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Arms, legs, and ears have begun to show. Muscles and the backbone are forming. |
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Day
30
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The baby's brain now has human proportions. |
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Day
35
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Five fingers can be seen on the hand. The mouth, ears, and nose are taking shape and pigment is produced that make the eyes darken. |
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Day
40
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Brain activity has been detected and recorded by this time. |
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Week
6
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The brain is beginning to control the movement of the baby's muscles and organs.
Reflex responses have begun. The baby's liver is now taking over blood cell production. |
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Week
7
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The embryo moves spontaneously. The jaw, including the buds of the milk teeth, is formed.
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Week
8
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The baby is called a "fetus" from this point on. Every organ is present. In fact, the heart has been beating for more than a month. The stomach and kidneys have begun to function. Taste buds are forming. Thumbsucking may even have begun. |
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Week
9
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There is evidence of your child's unique fingerprints. The fetus will curve his fingers around an object placed in his hand. |
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Week
10
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Your baby squints and frowns. He can swallow and practices with the amniotic fluid. |
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Week
11
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All systems of the baby are working. He sleeps and wakes, moving vigorously. He urinates.
He also breathes amniotic fluid to help his respiratory system development. |
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Week
13
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Taste buds and vocal cords work. The sex of the baby can now be seen. |
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Week
14
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The baby can hear. |
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Week
17
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The eye movements associated with dreaming have been recorded. |
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Week
20
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The baby shields his eyes from bright lights and his ears from loud noises. |
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Month
5
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Half the pregnancy is now past. The mother should definitely be feeling movement by now. |
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Month
6
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Fine hair and eyelash fringe appears. The sweat and the oil glands are functioning. |
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Month
7
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The baby's eyelids now open and close. He looks, hears, tastes, and touches.
He recognizes his mother's voice. |
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Month
8
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A layer of fat thickens under the skin to provide insulation and nourishment. |
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Month
9
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85 to 95% of babies are born between 266 and 294 days after the first day of the last menstrual period. He is fully capable of life outside the womb. |
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