The first trimester is a time of significant development for the fetus. During these 12 weeks, the fetus will go from a zygote (an egg fertilized by a sperm) to a 2 ½ inch long fetus who is developing fingernails.
So what developments happen during these first 12 weeks?
For the first two weeks considered part of the pregnancy, the woman’s body is actually getting ready for the pregnancy. MayoClinic.com explained that when calculating a woman’s due date, they add 40 weeks from the start of her last period.
However, the conception occurs about two weeks after the start of that period. So those first two weeks are included as part of the woman’s pregnancy, even though she was not pregnant yet.
When conception does occur, the sperm fertilizes the egg, so that fertilized egg, called a zygote, has 46 chromosomes — the number of chromosomes that a human being normally has.
The zygote then travels to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. During this time, the zygote is dividing, giving rise to more cells; this ball of cells is called a morula.
The morula continues to divide, becoming the blastocyst. Six to 12 days after the conception, the blastocyst has made it to the uterus, where it will imbed itself into the lining of the uterus.
At week five of the pregnancy, the development of essential organs begin, such as the brain, heart, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract, according to MedlinePlus. These organs and other parts of the body will form out of the three layers of the embryo, which are the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.
The eyes, inner ear, central nervous system and peripheral nervous system will arise from the ectoderm, while the heart will arise from the mesoderm. The endoderm is the layer from which the lungs and bladder will develop.
As the fetus continues to develop, more features will become visible. For example, during weeks six and seven of the pregnancy, the fetus’ leg and arm buds will be visible, and the ear and eyes will be starting to form.
MayoClinic.com noted that during this time, the fetus’ heart begins pumping blood. Neural and cardiac development is continuing, with the start of lung development in the eighth week of the pregnancy.
By the eighth week of the pregnancy, the fetus’ limbs are becoming longer and she now has fingers and toes. Her eyes are visible, and her nose and upper lip have been shaped.
At this gestational age, the fetus is about ½ inch long, according to MayoClinic.com. She will be about ¾ inch by the ninth week, 2 inches by the 11th week, and 2 ½ inches at the 12th week.
In the ninth week, the fetus’ essential organs have all begun to form, according to MedlinePlus. Development of the hair follicles and nipples occur at this time. By week 10, the fetus’ eyelids have developed more and now she can start to close her eyes.
At week 11 of the pregnancy, the fetus is officially called a fetus, noted MayoClinic.com. During this week of development, the fetus develops the genitals, a clitoris and labia majora for a female, and a penis for a male.
Other developmental milestones that occur in the 11th week include the start of the formation of red blood cells in the liver. In the 12th week of the pregnancy, the fetus’ face begins to look human.
The first 12 weeks of a pregnancy are an essential time for the development of the baby.
During this time, the fetus is also most susceptible to harm from external factors, such as alcohol, nutritional deficits and infections, according to MedlinePlus.
Pregnant women should get early and regular prenatal care for their health of their unborn baby.
References
MayoClinic.com. Fetal Development: The First Trimester. Web. 14 May 2012
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prenatal-care/PR00112/METHOD=print
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Fetal Development. Web. 14 May 2012
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm
Womenshealth.gov. Prenatal Care Fact Sheet. Web. 14 May 2012
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/prenatal-care.cfm
Reviewed May 14, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith