Your Pregnancy Week By Week: Fetal Development

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week - Pregnancy Week 1

At this point you are not actually pregnant, but counting officially begins the first day your period begins. When conception does occur, you will technically be 2 weeks pregnant already!!

Right now is the best time to take care of yourself and begin to plan properly for your upcoming pregnancy. Remember----No alcohol, smoking or drugs while you are trying to conceive. Even certain over the counter medications and many prescription medications can have a serious effect on your unborn child.

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week - Pregnancy Week 2

Approximately 14 days after your period began----conception occurs! Once the egg is fertilized, it will begin its journey to implant into the uterus. Congratulations,  the 9 month process has begun!

All the DNA your baby needs to develop into a fully formed infant is already present, and your baby's sex, hair color and eye color are already determined!

At this point you will probably not even be aware that you are pregnant, but your body will still begin to prepare itself for the next 9 months. You should already be taking prenatal vitamins in preparation for pregnancy. In particular, folic acid is extremely important in preventing neural tube defects. Make sure you are staying well hydrated and taking your vitamins!

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week - Pregnancy Week 3

Your baby has been changing rapidly over the last week in pregnancy and is officially a blastocyst. This cluster of rapidly dividing cells will begin to form all the necessary organs your baby needs to survive. Another amazing thing happens---Implantation will occur during this week of pregnancy. When the baby implants into your uterus, it is not uncommon for some mothers to experience some light spotting and prepare for their period.

By the end of the third week of pregnancy, your little baby will have made the remarkable change from a blastocyst to an embryo! Congratulations!

Weekly Fetal Development: Week by Week - Pregnancy Week 4

By the end of the 4^th week of pregnancy, you may begin to suspect that you might be pregnant. You will have missed your period and may begin to experience some of the early signs of pregnancy  like nausea, fatigue, frequent urination etc... If you were to take a home pregnancy test this week, it would be positively!

During this week of pregnancy, your embryo will begin to form lung buds, skin and even arm and leg buds. Circulation is well established and even parts of the eye are forming.

Once you have a positive home pregnancy test, you should contact your OBGYN immediately to schedule your first prenatal visit. Prenatal care is extremely important to the health of both you and your baby.

• Fetal Development Weeks 5-8
• Fetal Development Weeks 9-13
• Fetal Development Weeks 13-16
• Fetal Development Weeks 17-21
• Fetal Development Weeks 22-26
• Fetal Development Weeks 27-31
• Fetal Development Weeks 32-36
• Fetal Development Weeks 37-40

Images:
1. Pregnancy Week 1: fetal development pictures supplied courtsey of StockExpert.com
2. Pregnancy Week 2-4: fetal development pictures supplied courtesy of Wikimedia Commons