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The Portland Hospital
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Dedicated to the Healthcare needs of women, children and their families.
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10 weeks

Fetal development - 6 - 10 weeks

In Short

Week 6
The head and brain are growing fast, and there are dark spots that will become eyes. The retinas inside the eyes are already starting to form. The length of babies this week averages 8mm, or 3/8 of an inch – so tiny! Your baby will now be forming a tiny nose!

Week 7
Your baby is now about the size of a kidney bean (averaging 1.6cm or 5/8 of an inch – and weighing around 1g) and is constantly moving. They have distinct, slightly webbed fingers and their whole body is covered in a thin layer of skin. Although you still can’t feel the baby inside you, their heart can already be seen beating on a scan. Their major organs are now being formed – and lungs are starting to develop. The digestive system and bowels are forming. The head is proportionally larger than the rest of their body.

Week 8
Babies now the size of a large grape (averaging 2.3 cm in length and around 2g – double in weight from last week!). The limbs are like little paddles although there aren’t fingers and toes yet. Their eyes are getting larger and darkening. They will still be getting a lot of nutrient from your egg sac, but you and your placenta are starting to take over this role.

Week 9
Foetuses are now about the size of a prune (averaging 3cm in length and around 4g – again double the weight of last week!). Webbed fingers and toes are emerging. He will now be moving around although you won’t be able to feel it yet. Little facial features are developing. It’s still not possible to determine the sex of your baby, but the sex organs and external genitalia are starting to develop. Soft cartilege is forming the skeleton, which will later harden into bone.

Week 10
Your baby is now classed as a foetus, rather than an embryo. His limbs are growing and he can make little kicking movements – and his neck has lengthened. The length of the foetus will now average 4.1cm and the weight 7g – about the size of an apricot. He will be squirming a little now but you still won’t be able to feel the movement. His heart now has the 4 chamber structure, and beats rapidly – around 160 beats a minute.

For a list of useful contact details for The Portland Hospital, please click HERE.

DISCLAIMER
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Essential Parent has used all reasonable care in compiling the information from leading experts and institutions but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details click here.