week-by-week

Your pregnancy week by week, the developing fetus, your body, and other changes. Follow your pregnancy as it evolves week by week, see the development of mom, fetus, and even dad. See ultrasounds and other information.

During the 34th week of gestation, amniotic fluid levels start dropping just a little from the 33rd week high. Fluid levels will remain the same until baby is born.

By the 42nd week of gestation, the fetus probably weighs more than singlets born on time. Weight gain is slower due to the shear lack of room in the uterus, but baby is gaining weight nonetheless.

The 41st week is the week after your due date. About 40% of women go past their due date, so that's normal.

You are 40 weeks pregnant and with nearly all of the pregnancy behind you, many pregnant women feel, the time to have baby is NOW! Predicting birth dates is an inexact science. There is a give of two weeks before and after the estimated date of birth.

Good things come to those who wait until the 39th week. For pregnant women with multiples, babies not born last week will probably be here this week. Many doctors prefer delivering twins before the 40th week .

In the 38th week the fetus is
gaining about one to two ounces a day. Rapid weight gain can mean a
healthier baby or an early birth. If baby measures too large at an
ultrasound in the 38^th week, the doctor may choose to induce labor to protect the health of the pregnant woman and baby.

The 37^th week of
gestation is considered full-term. Pregnant women who make it to the 37^th week no longer
have to worry about having baby early. The fetus weighs around 6 ½
pounds and practices breathing during every waking moment.

It's 36 weeks of the pregnancy, you are 36 weeks pregnant and four weeks to go until the fetus is born a baby.

 The fetus weighs in at more than 5 ½ pounds by the 35^th week. This number is just an average as some babies are born full term weighing only 5 ½ pounds.

During the 33^rd week of gestation, amniotic fluid levels reach an all-time high. Fluid levels will remain the same until baby is born.

By the 32^nd week, all five senses are in full working order. The fetus can see, taste, smell, feel and hear. Hair continues to grow, though some babies will be born with much more than others.

In the 31st pregnancy week growth is beginning to slow down a bit. As space tightens, baby develops at a slower rate. All necessary body functions are working perfectly, time spent in the uterus at this point is all about lung development and weight gain.

In the 30th week of the pregnancy the fetal growth continues. Baby weighs three pounds or more
and continues to gain weight daily. Bones have developed and bone
marrow has started producing red blood cells.

In the 29th week the fetus is finally starting to look like a baby. The head and body are proportionate at this time. Weight gain is rapid as fat stores continue to build under the skin. Eyes are completely developed and are now sensitive to light.

Week 27 marks
another huge landmark in pregnancy. This is the last week of the second
trimester. The fetus is still growing fast and has plenty of room in
the womb for even more growth.

During the 26th week the fetus continues to grow rapidly and weighs about two pounds and measures nine inches. The air
sacs of the lungs are starting to develop and surfactant is being
secreted to line the air sacs.

The spine starts to develop in the 25th week of gestation. When complete, the spine will be made up of 1000 ligaments, 150 joints and 33 rings.

During the 24th week, the fetus continues to gain good weigh. Weighing in at more than 1 1/3 pounds, the fetus is gaining weight thanks to bone development, muscle growth and organ growth.

The 23rd week marks a huge milestone for the fetus. Development has
reached the point that the fetus could survive if an early birth was
required.

In week 22 of the pregnancy the fetal brain growth continues daily. The sense of smell, taste, sight,
hearing and touch are all developing as well. Baby can suck, swallow and
hear. What is the fetus hearing – heartbeats, breathing and digestion.

Week 21 marks a slowing of the growth process. The fetus continues to
grow, but more attention is paid to internal organs and development than
weight gain. Length does not slow as rapidly, so the fetus may take on
an extremely thin façade for a while.

The 20^th week marks the
halfway point for a normal pregnancy. Growth continues to add length
and weight to baby. But the 20^th week baby can
weigh more than one pound and measure 8 inches or longer.

During week
19, vernix caseosa starts to develop. Vernix caseosa is a thin white
covering that protects the skin from the fluid environment of the
amniotic sac.

In the 18th week all the changes in the womb are paying off. Baby now looks like a human and can weigh up to 8 ounces. Bowel development continues and the first bowel movement, meconium, is developing inside.

During the 17th week of pregnancy, the fetus is continuing to grow faster than ever before. The fetus may measure as long as 6 inches and weigh up to 7 ounces.

By the start of the 4^th month, pregnant women tend to start feeling movements in the abdomen. These initial movements may only feel like flutters but they are the fetus moving around.

Welcome to your 2nd trimester! In the 14th week of the pregnancy the fetus is taking off in growth and weight. At this point in growth, an ultrasound would show movement in
the chest area.