Category: Fetal Development

Week 19: Around this time is when the pregnant mother should start to feel movement inside her womb! The little one can also start to hear voices by this time. The baby is about the size of a pomegranate. To protect their skin from amniotic fluid, the baby will start to form a thin, waxy …

An unborn child’s life is as dramatic as any series you will watch on cable television By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation The reality of the hidden life of the unborn child can pop up in the least likely of places. I happened to be watching a “reality show” known for its …

Week 16: Many parts of the baby’s body are developing at a rapid pace. The retina in the eye now has distinct layers, neuron multiplication in the brain is COMPLETE by this time, AND teeth enamel begins to develop. As for the lower half of the baby’s body, all limbs and joints are now FULLY formed. …

By Sarah Terzo By mid-pregnancy the fetus has begun to explore its own body and environment using its hands. It often holds on to the umbilical cord, and when a thumb approaches its mouth, it will turn and begin to make sucking motions with its lips… The fetus is also using its sense of hearing …

Week 12: This marks the end of the first trimester of pregnancy! Starting at week 12 to around week 18, bowel movements begin. The material expelled from the fetal colon is called meconium, which is composed of proteins, dead cells from the digestive tract, and enzymes. By this point, the whole body responds to touch …

By Dave Andrusko Like so many other grandparents, my wife and I eagerly view the photos our middle daughter sends us of her young son. We do so via text every day, so you might think I wouldn’t be amazed how much change there’s been in just the last few months. But I am! When …

The embryo’s liver starts to produce blood cells! The stomach, pancreas, small and large intestines, and even reproductive organs are developing, and permanent kidneys appear. Fascinating fact: the skin is transparent because it is only one cell thick. This means that we can SEE the organs developing! The tiny one is about the size of …

Week 4: The baby’s brain is growing so rapidly that the head makes up about 1/3 of the embryo’s entire size! By this point, an early form of the cerebellum appears, which will later control coordination and muscle control. Upper and lower limb buds also appear by 4 weeks, which indicate that arms and legs …

Week 3: The baby’s heart begins its first halting beats as early as 18 days after conception. Fun fact: Between fertilization and birth, the heart beats about 54 million times. Wow! Watch this short video about more fetal development in the womb: Please share with your friends to help inform the public just how beautiful …

By Dave Andrusko Over the years I have been fascinated by the skill of the BBC at offering absolutely amazing examples of science developed with laypeople in mind. But replete with spectacular graphics, it’s a series on “Inside the Human Body” that may be the most captivating of all. Although it first appeared way back, it wasn’t until later …

Week 2: By 2 or 2 1/2 weeks, the formation of 3 tissues called ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm give rise to numerous structures that will later develop! These include the brain, spinal cord, the liver, pancreas, the heart, blood cells and more structures. Stay tuned…by week 3, the heart begins to beat. #40weeks40facts Please share …

The development of human beings in the womb is fascinating. So for the next 40 weeks, we will share 1 fact per week about a baby’s life in the womb. Please share with your friends to help inform the public just how beautiful life is (especially pregnant friends who would like to know about the …