Fetal Development Basics & Pregnancy
At 4 weeks, the cells of the fetus are specializing into a nervous system, hair, organs, and skin. At 12 weeks, the fetus is around 2 _ inches in size and makes movement on its own. At 20 weeks, the nervous systems functions, sex can be determined, and you will feel your baby move. At 28 weeks, the fetus weighs over 2 pounds and if born prematurely, would most likely be able to survive. At 32 weeks, the baby weighs 4 pounds and fat layers begin to develop under its skin. At 36 weeks, the lungs are almost fully developed and brain function is developing rapidly. At 37 weeks, a term pregnancy can be made.
Recently Answered
- Q What are some effects of poor fetal nutrition?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineIn utero, if you feed your baby fewer nutrients, you're programming your child to expect an environment of deprivation ex-utero. So genes that cause the fetus to be very thrifty (metabolically speaking) are turned on. Once the baby is born and the... Full Answer
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- Q What are the big developmental milestones during pregnancy?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineHere's what's happening at week number… 6. The heart and a big part of the lungs are formed, as well as the fingers, toes, and parts of the face, like the lips. 7. The fetus can produce urine and bubbles in the eye area collapse into cup-like... Full Answer
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- Q How does the brain develop in a fetus?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineDuring the first thirty days of pregnancy, the fetus's central nervous system begins to take shape. A long, flat structure develops that forms a groove and rolls up into a tube. One end of the tube starts to swell -- that's the brain. The rest... Full Answer
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- Q How fast does a brain develop in utero?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal MedicineThe pace at which a baby's neural network is built is truly mind boggling: In utero, brains build 250,000 neurons a minute to result in about 100 billion by the time the baby is born. That's a heck of a lot of potential learning. Full Answer
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- Q Why should I avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)?
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Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) increases the likelihood of both cesarean sections and operative vaginal births (births in which forceps or a device known as a vacuum extractor are used to help pull the baby out of the birth canal).... Full Answer
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- Q Which tests can diagnose impairment in my fetus?
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Three types of tests screen for or diagnose potential impairments in the fetus are:- The first type is genetic-carrier screening. It consists of blood tests that can be performed before you get pregnant or in early pregnancy. The tests determine if you... Full Answer
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- Q What effect does fetus selection have on society?
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In some parts of the world, babies of one sex or the other are very much preferred. Sometimes women experience great pressure from their families and society to have children of the preferred sex. This pressure can lead to situations like those in China... Full Answer
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- Q How do intermittent and continuous fetal monitoring differ?
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There is good evidence that continuous fetal monitoring in uncomplicated pregnancies has done nothing to improve outcomes for babies and mothers but has dramatically increased the cesarean section rate. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, continuous... Full Answer
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- Q What is an external cephalic version?
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External cephalic version, or version, is a procedure used to turn a breech fetus into a head-down (vertex) position before labor begins. When successful, version makes it possible for a woman to try a vaginal birth instead of having a cesarean section.... Full Answer
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- Q What should I think about if I have external cephalic version?
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Version has a very small risk for causing bleeding that could lead to mixing of the blood of the mother and fetus. So a pregnant woman with Rh-negative blood is given an Rh immunoglobulin injection (such as RhoGAM) to prevent Rh sensitization, which can... Full Answer
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