How to Watch Baby Development During Pregnancy

Observing baby development during pregnancy helps parents and doctors monitor the baby's growth during each developmental stage. Parents follow their baby during the pregnancy, and doctors are able to diagnose any problems that might arise. Watching your baby's development during pregnancy is an enriching experience that will help you prepare for your child's arrival.

Instructions

1. Watch for signs during weeks one through four. During these weeks of pregnancy, baby development is a challenge to watch. First, many women are not aware of their pregnancy, or have only just found out about it. A pregnancy test is the first way to determine pregnancy, which is usually confirmed by a physician. Another sign of pregnancy that may occur is blood spotting or implantation bleeding.

2. Observe an early ultrasound to view development during weeks five through nine. These four weeks are a major period of development for an unborn child. An early ultrasound will reveal the beginnings of a heartbeat during week five, and the development of the umbilical cord, brain, lungs and arm and leg buds. During week eight, more progression occurs in the form of eyes, nose, fingers, toes, bones and cartilage. All of these developments can be viewed through an ultrasound. Week nine marks the onset of movement by the baby.

3. View an ultrasound and listen to the Doppler during weeks five through 14. At week 10, the major critical period of development for the infant has occurred and a stage of rapid growth begins. During these weeks, the organs begin to function, hair and nails start to grow, and the baby's sex organs become evident. At week 13, the parents can usually hear their baby's heartbeat on a Doppler.

4. Pay attention to physical response by the baby in conjunction with an ultrasound to monitor development during weeks 15 through 19. Generally, at week 15, the mother can feel the first movements by her baby. The baby has begun to twist, kick and turn, which is often felt by the pregnant mother. Around week 16, an external monitor may be able to capture the baby's heartbeat. An ultrasound during weeks 17 and 18 shows that the fetus has taken on a more human appearance. At week 19, the mother can recognize the baby's active and rest periods by noticing when she can feel the baby moving versus when she cannot.

5. Examine a fetal brain scan and take note of mother's weight gain during weeks 20 through 30. Around 22 weeks, the baby will begin to hear sounds more clearly, and may respond to voices or music by moving. At approximately week 24, the baby begins to gain weight more quickly, which means the mother gains more as well. A fetal brain scan during this time will depict the child's response to touch and light. At week 29, the mother may feel more movement by the baby as it begins to rotate into the birthing position.

6. Consider a final ultrasound and physical changes to view development during weeks 31 through 40. Ultrasounds during these weeks depict the final stages of an almost fully formed baby with functioning limbs, eyes, mouth, nose and even eyebrows. At week 32, the mother may note less movement, because the baby's rapid growth creates a much smaller space for movement. At weeks 34 to 35, the baby will most likely have moved completely to the head-down birthing position. Before the baby drops to the birth canal, the mother may have some trouble breathing, because of the space the baby is occupying. When the baby moves to the birth canal, breathing may get easier, but walking may become harder.

Resources

• Pregnancy.org
• Your Pregnancy Week by Week