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Stages of fetal growth and development
1. Stages of Fetal
Growth and
Development
Hannilore Villamor, RN
2. The growth and development of the fetus
is typically divided into three stages
• Preembryonic Stage: Fertilization to 2 to
3 Weeks
• Embryonic Stage: 4 to 8 Weeks' Gestation
• Fetal Stage: 9 Weeks to Birth
6. • 3 to 6 weeks of embryonic growth
• At the end of 6 weeks of growth, the
embryo is approximately ½ inch (1.3 cm)
long
• Arm and leg buds are visible; arm buds
are more developed with finger ridges
beginning to appear
• Rudiments of the eyes, ears, and nose
appear
7. • Lung buds are developing
• Primitive intestinal tract is developing
• Primitive cardiovascular system is
functioning
• Neural tube, which forms the brain and
spinal cord, closes by the fourth week
9. • 7 to 10 weeks of growth
• The middle of this period (9 weeks) marks
the end of the embryonic period and the
beginning of the fetal period
• At the end of 10 weeks of growth, the fetus
is approximately 2½ inches (6.3 cm) from
crown to rump and weighs ½ oz (14 g)
• Appearance of external genitalia
• By the middle of this month, all major organ
systems have formed
10. • The membrane over the anus has broken
down
• The heart has formed four chambers (by
seventh week)
• The fetus assumes a human appearance
• Bone ossification begins
• Rudimentary kidney begins to secrete
urine
12. • 11- to 14-week-old fetus
• At the end of 14 weeks of growth, the fetus
is approximately 4¾ inches (12 cm) crown-
rump length and 3¾ oz (110 g)
• Head erect; lower extremities well
developed
• Hard palate and nasal septum have fused
• External genitalia of male and female can
now be differentiated
• Eyelids are sealed
14. • 15- to 18-week-old fetus
• At the end of 18 weeks of growth, the
fetus is approximately 6¼ inches (16 cm)
crown-rump length and 11¼ oz (320 g)
• Ossification of fetal skeleton can be seen
on X-ray
15. • Ears stand out from head
• Meconium is present in the intestinal
tract
• Fetus makes sucking motions and
swallows amniotic fluid
• Fetal movements may be felt by the
mother (end of month)
17. • 19- to 22-week-old fetus
• At the end of 22 weeks of growth, the
fetus is approximately 8¼ inches (21 cm)
crown-rump length and 1 lb 6¼ oz (630 g)
• Vernix caseosa covers the skin
18. • Head and body (lanugo) hair visible
• Skin is wrinkled and red
• Brown fat, an important site of heat
production, is present in neck and sternal
area
• Nipples are apparent on the breasts
20. • 23- to 26-week-old fetus
• At the end of 26 weeks of growth, the
fetus is approximately 10 inches (25 cm)
crown-rump length and 2 lb 3¼ oz (1,000
g)
• Fingernails present
• Lean body
21. • Eyes partially open; eyelashes present
• Bronchioles are present; primitive alveoli
are forming
• Skin begins to thicken on hands and feet
• Startle reflex present; grasp reflex is
strong
23. • 27- to 30-week-old fetus
• At the end of 30 weeks of growth, the
fetus is approximately 11 inches (28 cm)
crown-rump length and 3 lb 12 oz (1,700
g)
• Eyes open
• Ample hair on head; lanugo begins to
fade
24. • Skin slightly wrinkled
• Toenails present
• Testes in inguinal canal, begin descent to
scrotal sac
• Surfactant coats much of the alveolar
epithelium
26. • 31- to 34-week-old fetus
• At the end of 34 weeks of growth, the
fetus is approximately 12½ inches (32 cm)
crown-rump length and 5 lb 8 oz (2,500
g)
• Fingernails reach fingertips
• Skin pink and smooth
• Testes in scrotal sac
28. • 35- to 38-week-old fetus; end of this
month is also 40 weeks from onset of last
menses
• End of 38 weeks of growth, fetus is
approximately 14½ inches (37 cm) crown-
rump length and 7 lb 8 oz (3,400 g)
• Ample subcutaneous fat
29. • Lanugo almost absent
• Toenails reach toe tips
• Testes in scrotum
• Vernix caseosa mainly on the back
• Breasts are firm
