The Size of a Fetus at Five Months

At five months pregnant the fetus is about the size of a large banana.

The thought of giving birth to a baby is a joyous one. It is fascinating how a fetus develops in the womb as the pregnancy progresses. The fetus will increase in size gradually during the nine months of pregnancy.

Month Five of Pregnancy

At the fifth month of pregnancy, the size of the fetus is almost doubled since the third month. It is about 7 to 10 inches long and weighs between 1/2 pound to 1 pound. The fetus is the size of a large banana.

Fetal Development

The fetus is now able to hear conversations and other sounds outside of the womb. The eyebrow and eyelids are formed, and the fingernails are fully formed. At this stage, the brain is rapidly growing. The liver is beginning to break down a substance produced by the red blood cells called "bilirubin." In male fetuses, the testes start to descend to the scrotum.

Precautions

Special precautions need to taken during pregnancy. Although eating fish is beneficial to both the mother and the fetus, servings should be limited to 12 ounces each week to prevent exposure to high levels of mercury. Swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel should be avoided during pregnancy. Avoid consumption of alcohol, which can cause stunted growth and abnormal development of the fetus.

References

• Pregnancy.org: Week Twenty-Two
• Sutter Health: Special Precautions for the Pregnant Woman

Resources

• Americanpregnancy.org: Fetal Development: First Trimester