How your baby develops
A week-by-week picture of your baby's growth from a tiny cluster of cells to a full-term newborn.
- Organs form in the first 12 weeks
- Hearing develops around 20 weeks
- Movements become a clear daily pattern by 28 weeks
- Most babies turn head-down by 36 weeks
By 8 weeks all the major organs have started to form, and the heartbeat can be seen on a scan.
By 12 weeks the baby is fully formed in miniature, about the size of a plum, and is starting to move — although you cannot feel it yet.
By 20 weeks the baby is about 25 cm long, can hear your voice, and has a sleep and wake pattern. This is around the time of the detailed anomaly scan.
By 28 weeks the eyes open, the lungs are practising breathing movements, and movements become a predictable daily pattern — this is when daily kick counting starts.
By 34 to 36 weeks most babies have turned head-down and the lungs are maturing.
From 37 weeks the baby is full term and gains roughly 200 g a week until birth.
This information is general health education and does not replace advice from your nurse, midwife or doctor. In an emergency go to your nearest facility.