Your baby’s development from being just a tiny mass of cells to a fully developed baby is fascinating and truly miraculous indeed. Each baby develops differently; once you know that you have conceived, you are naturally eager to monitor each stage of your baby’s development.

At two months, your baby is called an embryo. She would grow to around 2.5 cm in length and have distinct, slightly webbed fingers. Veins are clearly visible. The baby is being nourished through your umbilical cord and her heart gets divided into right and left chambers. Gradually, the baby’s arms start growing longer and by 10 weeks, the embryo is officially called a foetus, meaning an “offspring”!

By 3 months, the baby is fully formed and has commenced to swallow and kick. Al the organs and muscles form and start functioning. Tiny fingerprints form and your baby’s facial muscles start getting a work out as tiny features crumble into myriad expressions.

At 4 months, your baby’s rubbery cartilage starts hardening. She now has thick downy hair called lanugo all over her body. Skin too is covered with a fatty substance called vernix caseosa that protects baby skin during its immersion in amniotic fluid.

By 5 months, your baby is able to hear you speak! Talk, read, or sing to your baby and she can listen to you! Isn’t that fantastic! By the commencement of the sixth month, your baby starts showing response to touch. If you happen to shine a light on to your belly, the baby will turn her head, which just shows that the optic nerves have started working. Baby continues to take small breaths as well, and her brain development is intense at this stage of pregnancy.

Seventh month commences and your baby’s lungs and digestive tracts are almost fully developed. She doesn’t move around much since it is running out of space in your womb. Most importantly, she is getting ready for birth by turning upside down in the womb.

Eight months now and the baby weighs more than 2.2 Kg and needs her fat layer to regulate her body temperature once she is born. The downy coat of lanugo disappears and over this month, the baby gradually drops into the pelvic region.

Nine months, and you are preparing yourself for the great day! Your baby weighs anywhere between 2.5 and 3 Kg. The amniotic fluid is now pale and milky since the baby has shed its greasy vernix caseosa and new skin forms underneath. Your baby is finally on its way to greet you!