Week 14
Third of the way through. The average pregnancy
lasts 266 days or 280 days from the first day of last period.
Week 15 | |
Screening for Downs syndrome is offered about now. A simple blood test is carried out first then further tests may be offered.
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Week 16 | |
The foetus now has toe and finger nails eyebrows and eyelashes. It is also covered with downy hair.
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Week 17 | |
The foetus can hear noises from the outside world. By this stage the mother is visibly pregnant and the uterus is rising. | |
Week 18 | |
By this stage the foetus is moving around a lot - probably enough to be felt. | |
Week 19 | |
The foetus is now about 15-20cm long and weighs about 300g. Milk teeth have formed in the gums. | |
week 20 | |
Half way through pregnancy now. Almost all mothers are offered a routine scan. The foetus develops a waxy coating called vernix. The scan can show the foetus in fine detail and often reveal if the baby is a boy or a girl. However not all hospitals offer to tell parents the sex of the child - and not all parents want to know. |
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Week 21 | |
The mother's uterus begins to push against her diaphragm leaving less space for the lungs. Feeling slightly short of breath can be normal at this stage, but the mother should seek medical advice if she experiences these symptoms.
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Week 22 | |
Senses develop: taste buds have started to form on the tongue and the foetus starts to feel touch. | |
Week 23 | |
The skeleton continues to develop and bones that form the skull begin to harden - but not fully. | |
Week 24 | |
Antenatal checkup and scan to check the baby´s position. A baby born this early does sometimes survive.
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week 25 | |
All organs are now in place and the rest of the pregnancy is for growth. Preeclampsia is a risk from here onwards.
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Week 26 | |
The foetus skin is gradually becoming more opaque than transparent. | |
Week 27 | |
The foetus measures about 34cm and weighs about 800g. | |
Week 28 | |
Routine checkup to test for preeclampsia. Women with Rhesus negative blood will also be tested for antibodies.
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Week 29 | |
Some women develop restless leg syndrome in their third trimester.
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Week 30 | |
Braxton Hicks contractions may begin around now. They are practice contractions which dont usually hurt.
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Week 31 | |
The foetus can see now and tell light from dark. The mother´s breasts start to produce colostrum about now
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Week 32 | |
Another antenatal appointment. The foetus is about 42cm and weighs 2.2kg. A baby born now has a good chance of survival. | |
Week 33 | |
From now the baby should become settled in a head downwards position. A midwife can help to move it if necessary. | |
Week 34 | |
The mother may find it more difficult to eat full meals as the expanded uterus presses on her stomach. | |
Week 35 | |
If the mother has been told she may need a planned caesarean, now is a good time to discuss it further. | |
Week 36 | |
The baby´s head may engage in the pelvis any time now. | |
Week 37 | |
The baby´s lungs are practically mature now and it can survive unaided. The final weeks in the womb are to put on weight. | |
Week 38 | |
Babies born from this week onward are not considered early. | |
Week 39 | |
Another ante-natal appointment. The mother has reached her full size and weight by now. |
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Week 40 | |
In theory the baby should be born this week. The mother´s cervix prepares for the birth by softening. |
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Week 41 | |
First babies are often up to a week late but if there are signs of distress to mother or child the birth will be induced. | |
Thank you information from BBC NEWS