1. What Is Happening During Each Month of Pregnancy?
Fetal Development
What Is Happening During
Each Month of Pregnancy?

2. 1(first) Month Brain and spinal cord forming Heart formed and beating
Bones forming
Eyes and ears forming
Weighs less than 1 ounce
Length less than 1/8 inch

3. 2 (second) Month All essential organs forming
Fingers, toes, and facial features (eyes, nose, lips, ears, and tongue) evident and continuing to develop
Brain starting to control organs
Length about ½ to ¾ inch

4. 3 (third) Month Arms and legs moving All body parts and organs present
Head makes up almost half of fetus size
Signs of male and female gender present
Heartbeat evident with electronic device

5. 4 (fourth) Month Movements felt by the mother
Sucking motions made with the mouth
Head and body become proportional
Lungs continuing to develop
Skin almost transparent
Weight about 5 ounces
Length about 4 to 5 inches

6. 5 (fifth) Month Nails appear on fingers and toes
Fetus more active in womb
Fetal heartbeat heard with a stethoscope
Breathing movements occurring but lungs not developed enough for survival if born
Length about 8 inches

7. 6 (sixth) Month Unique footprints and fingerprints present
Responds to outside sounds
Actions such as hiccupping, squinting, smiling, and frowning may be seen on ultrasound
Weighs about 1 to 1 ½ pounds
Length about 8 to 9 inches

8. 7 (seventh) Month Eyelids open and close
Good chance of survival if born, may have complications
Weight about 2 and 2 ¼ pounds
Length about 10 to 13 inches
2 inches

9. 8 (eighth) Month Skin thicker and more color
Lungs still developing but good chance of survival with disability risks low
Bones fully developed but still soft
Length about 16 to 17 inches
Weighs about 3 to 4 pounds

10. 9 (ninth) Month Body fat increases
Fingernails reach the end of the fingertips
If born, high chance of survival but may need some medical care
Weight about 5 to 6 pounds
Length about 16 to 18 inches

11. 9 Plus Months Fingernails grow beyond the end of the fingertips
Mother supplies fetus with antibodies against disease
Fetus fills entire uterus
Weight greater than 6 pounds
Length about inches