As we talk about ways to prevent prematurity, its important to look at how a normal, healthy pregnancy progresses. A lot of what happens early in the pregnancy determines morbidity and mortality risk for mom & baby–a scary thought considering most women don’t know they’re pregnant until they are six to eight weeks along!
So what’s happening in those first 8 weeks?
Weeks 1-4: The egg is fertilized, implants in the uterine lining and begins to grow.
Week 5: The baby’s neural tube, which will become the brain and spinal cord, is formed.
Week 6: The baby’s heart beats and its nose, mouth and ears begin to take shape.
Week 7: The baby’s still-soft bones are forming and his/her genitals begin to take shape.
Week 8: The baby is 1/2 to 1-inch long and its major organs and systems are beginning to form.
The LRN Group 