Pregnancy Week by Week
This Resource will be give presentation about week by week baby born, with picture and resource about each week. Remember that every pregnancy is different, and growth rates vary, so always read one week on either side of your estimated pregnancy stage. If you have any questions, please check with your healthcare provider.
Week 15 of 40
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Baby’s bones are getting harder now each day. The skin is very thin and still transparent; if you would see the baby in person you could even see blood vessels through the skin. At this point the baby is covered with a fine soft hair (Lanugo) over most of the body – everywhere except the palms, soles, lips, penis, nails, and the sides of the fingers and toes. Lanugo will continue to grow until around the 26th week of pregnancy.
Moms uterus will begin rising past your hipbones any time now. You probably can feel it about three to four inches just below your navel. During your pregnancy doctor appointments, your OB will be measuring "fundal height" to make sure your baby is growing consistently. Fundal height is the distance from the top of the uterus to the pubic bone. Using a measuring tape to determine mom’s 'fundal height' during her pregnancy was first introduced in the late 1970's. By using this method the rate discovering very small babies increased from 30%-50% to 56%-86%.
Week 16 of 40
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The baby’s bones harden now day by day. One of the results is that you will eventually begin to feel movement. If you are overweight, have a very thick uterus, or if this is your first pregnancy, you may have difficulties feeling something at this stage of pregnancy. Just give it a little more time. You will feel it soon enough. In the meantime baby’s legs have grown so far that they are longer than baby’s arms. For now the baby has enough room in the uterus to move around. Already at this stage fingernails and toenails are growing. Sometimes some babies need their nails clipped right after birth because they are so long and sharp.
The increased blood volume might cause you to have a stuffy nose or even nose bleeding. Why you may ask? The higher blood volume during pregnancy affects your estrogen level, which in return can swell your nasal membranes. If you have a weak heart or heart problems in general you have to keep in mind that your heart has to work much harder during pregnancy to pump the additional blood through your veins. Your ligaments continue to stretch, and you may be feeling a little pain in your abdomen. If you're planning to have a prenatal amniocentesis test done, it will eventually be scheduled between the 16th and 18th week.
Week 17 of 40
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The 17th is another period of rapid growth. The body fat begins to build up underneath the baby's skin. The baby’s heart is pumping about 20-25 quarts of blood a day already. That is a lot of work for such a tiny person. The placenta and the baby are about equal in size at this point. The baby can blink his eyes, suck, and swallow starting around the beginning of the 17th week of pregnancy. The baby is also developing reflexes and responds accordingly to stimulation.
Mom’s uterus is now at about 1.5 to 2 inches below the belly button. The baby is still on a growth spurt. You will be gaining some weight are showing a little more at the same time. The average weight gain is between five and ten pounds at this point of pregnancy. Have you felt your baby moving yet? Moving and kicking will increase and you might feel it as if it would be little bubbles in your belly.
Week 18 of 40
Your little baby is now nearly 0.5 pounds in weight now and looks more and more like a human. You might feel the first of baby’s hiccups now. Baby boys are developing the prostate gland. Baby’s eyes are now looking forward rather than out to the sides of the head. Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes, and the eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head. Amazing enough - Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is already building up within the bowel. This greenish dark looking substance is normally discharged shortly after birth.
If you still have frequent incidents of dizziness, faint, or feel lightheaded you should talk to your OB. Even though these symptoms are normal during pregnancy, but they should be happening much less often at this point. Your blood pressure might be the problem and should be checked more frequently then.
Your uterus continues to grow and is now just below your belly button. If you have an ultrasound scheduled during this week you will probably be asked if you want to find out the sex of your little baby.
Week 19 of 40
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The protective skin substance “Vermix” is now slowly forming on your baby’s skin. This is the white looking stuff that you will see on baby when it is born. This protective layer is needed to protect the baby from being sub-merged from its “wet” environment in your uterus. 9 months in that environment is a long time. Mother nature found a great way to protect baby’s skin – don’t you think so?!
On the outside you may notice your skin changing a little bit. This comes from the changing hormone levels and will go back to normal after baby’s delivery. These are hormone-related and will disappear after delivery. This process is called “Melasma Mask of Pregnancy“. You will notice some brownish spots on your skin. Your skin might also feel itchy and you have the urge to scratch it all the time. Make sure you spend enough time putting lotion on your skin to keep it from becoming itchy and dry. Drinking enough fluids will also help.
Week 20 of 40
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Half time! You are 50% through your pregnancy at this point. Your baby has now already similar sleep patterns as a newborn. The first hair begins to grow on babies head. If your little baby will be a girl, the uterus is starting to develop at around this week. Incidents of dizziness, faint, or feeling lightheaded should be only happening occasionally. I you see them happening frequently, talk to your OB. The OB wants to know about these things to make sure your pregnancy is developing as anticipated and that there is no danger for the baby.
Your baby is much more active and you should start to feel this activity. Your belly button may pop out and stay that way pretty much until delivery as your uterus grows upwards. The line between your navel (linea nigra) and the pubic hair has probably darkened at this point. Don’t worry – this will fade after you gave birth.
Week 21 of 40
Up until now baby’s growth was in the fast lane. This rapid growth will now slow down. Baby’s heart grows stronger and stronger every day. The legs are reaching their relative proportions. Your baby is very active and continues to move around all over in the amniotic fluid. Your baby is beginning to show eyebrows and eyelashes.
The average weight gain for Mom is between 10 and 15 pounds at this point of pregnancy. Emotionally, most moms are probably feeling more stable and comfortable. It is not unusual that your ankles and feet may be swollen at the end of the day. Drinking lots of fluids and resting will help to ease the pain.
Week 22 of 40
This week your baby is about 8- 8½ inches in length (crown-to-rump) and weighs about a pound. Your baby's liver is now starting to function and his or her hair and nails are continuing to grow. In fact some babies are born with quite long nails that need to be cut soon after birth to prevent them from scratching themselves. Your baby is growing at a solid pace and becoming plumper, developing more and more fat underneath the skin, which will help to keep him or her warm later on. Your baby’s face is also filling out nicely. The lanugo hair that covers your baby’s body may turn slightly darker during this time.
Your uterus is above your belly button now and may be pushing outwards on your ribcage, causing your ribs to become a bit sore at times. In the later months of pregnancy, your baby may kick you in the ribs as well as stretch out and push your ribcage until it becomes uncomfortable. For some women, nasal congestion and nosebleeds are a side effect of pregnancy. This can occur due to altered levels of hormones, causing the mucous membranes in your nose to swell. Increased blood volume and softening of the tissues also contributes to this. Varicose veins may become bothersome around now, or later down the road. Varicose veins are blood vessels that become engorged with blood and they can be aggravated by standing for long periods of time. Wearing clothing that is non-restrictive, to keep circulation flowing freely may be very beneficial.
Week 23 of 40
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This week your baby is over 8½ inches in length (crown-to-rump) and weighs a little over a pound. Your baby's pancreas is developing well and is even beginning to produce insulin, which is necessary for the body to break down and use sugar. The bones in your baby’s middle ear are hardening now. Your little one is also beginning to exercise his or her fingers and toes, developing a strong grasp reflex. Your baby is now almost in complete proportion, although the head is still a bit bigger than the rest of the body.
Changes in your abdomen are progressing gradually, but you definitely are getting larger and many of your pre-pregnancy clothes are probably impossible to get on. You may have gained between 12-15 pounds at this point in your pregnancy. Your pelvic floor muscles will be stretched as a result of your pregnancy. Kegel exercises are simple techniques you can do to tone the muscles in your vagina and perineal area. They will help prepare your muscles for delivery and ensure a speedy recovery postpartum. You may find yourself having trouble with hemorrhoids. Increase your fiber intake and drink lots of water if they become bothersome. They will most likely vanish after delivery.
Pregnancy Week 1 until Week 6
Pregnancy Week 7 until Week 14
Pregnancy Week 15 until Week 23
Next >> Pregnancy Week 24 until Week 32
Pregnancy Week 33 until Week 40
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