“Is my baby developing normally?”
It’s one of the first questions we hear from expectant parents, and one of the most important.
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fourth, it’s completely natural to wonder what’s happening between prenatal appointments. While your baby may seem impossibly tiny during those early weeks, an incredible amount of growth is taking place every single day.
At Carlos & Parnell, M.D., P.A., we believe understanding your baby’s development can make pregnancy a little less mysterious—and a lot more exciting. Knowing what milestones to expect can also help you better understand the purpose of ultrasounds, prenatal testing, and routine office visits.
Just as importantly, remember that every baby develops at their own pace. Your obstetrician isn’t looking for perfection on a specific day or week—they’re looking for healthy, steady growth over time.
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What Is Fetal Development?
Fetal development is the process by which your baby grows from a single fertilized egg into a fully developed newborn ready for life outside the womb. During approximately 40 weeks of pregnancy, billions of cells divide, organs mature, bones strengthen, and the brain develops at an astonishing pace.
Each trimester brings new milestones. Some changes happen quietly behind the scenes, while others—like hearing your baby’s heartbeat or feeling those first kicks—become unforgettable moments for parents.
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that babies simply “get bigger” during pregnancy. In reality, every month brings new developmental milestones that prepare your baby for birth.
“One of my favorite parts of prenatal care is helping parents understand just how much is happening between visits. Even when Mom doesn’t feel dramatic changes from week to week, babies are developing in remarkable ways that lay the foundation for lifelong health.” ~Dr. Monica Diaz, Carlos and Parnell, M.D., P.A.
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Month 1 (Weeks 1–4): Where Life Begins
Although many women don’t yet know they’re pregnant, this first month is incredibly important.
After fertilization, the embryo travels through the fallopian tube before implanting into the lining of the uterus. Almost immediately, specialized cells begin forming the placenta—the organ that will nourish your baby throughout pregnancy.
At this stage your baby is microscopic, but the blueprint for every organ has already begun.
What Mom May Notice
Some women have no symptoms at all. Others notice:
- A missed menstrual period
- Mild cramping
- Fatigue
- Tender breasts
- Light implantation spotting
Because so much early development occurs before many women even realize they’re pregnant, taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy is especially important for healthy brain and spinal cord development.
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Month 2 (Weeks 5–8): Tiny Heart, Big Milestones
This month marks one of pregnancy’s most emotional moments.
Around six weeks, your baby’s tiny heart begins beating. Although it may still be too early to hear it during every appointment, ultrasound technology can often detect cardiac activity during this stage.
Meanwhile, your baby’s:
- Brain develops rapidly
- Spinal cord closes
- Eyes begin forming
- Ears start developing
- Arms and legs appear as tiny buds
- Internal organs begin taking shape
By the end of the second month, your baby is about the size of a raspberry.
“Should I Be Worried If I Don’t Feel Pregnant Yet?”
Not necessarily.
Some women experience significant nausea, while others have almost no morning sickness. Pregnancy symptoms vary tremendously from person to person—and even from one pregnancy to the next.
Your provider monitors your baby’s development with much more than symptoms alone.
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Month 3 (Weeks 9–12): Your Baby Is Officially a Fetus
This marks the end of the first trimester.
Almost every major organ has formed and will continue growing and maturing throughout pregnancy. Tiny fingers and toes separate, fingernails begin appearing, facial features become more recognizable, and your baby starts making small movements—even though you won’t feel them yet.
One reassuring milestone occurs during this month: for many pregnancies, the risk of miscarriage drops significantly after the first trimester.
Many parents also have their first comprehensive prenatal ultrasound around this time.
What Happens at Your Prenatal Visit?
Depending on your pregnancy, your visit may include:
- Blood pressure check
- Weight monitoring
- Urine testing
- Discussion of genetic screening options
- Listening for your baby’s heartbeat (when possible)
Every visit is also an opportunity to ask questions. There are no “silly” questions during pregnancy.
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The First Trimester Can Feel Emotionally Overwhelming
Many parents tell us they’re surprised by how anxious they feel during those first twelve weeks.
That’s completely understandable.
You’re waiting for appointments.
Waiting for ultrasound results.
Waiting to hear the heartbeat.
Waiting to tell family.
Waiting to finally relax.
If you’re feeling nervous, you’re not alone.
At Carlos & Parnell, we encourage our patients to reach out whenever something doesn’t feel right or if they’re worried about a symptom. We’d much rather answer a question early than have you spend days worrying at home.
For more information about what to expect throughout pregnancy, we also recommend reading our article:
Pregnancy Timeline: Milestones and What to Expect Along the Way
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Month 4 (Weeks 13–16): Welcome to the Second Trimester
For many women, the second trimester feels like a fresh start.
Morning sickness often begins to improve, energy returns, and pregnancy starts becoming more enjoyable.
Meanwhile, your baby is growing rapidly.
Bones are becoming stronger, muscles are developing, and facial expressions—including yawning and even sucking motions, can often be seen during ultrasound examinations.
Fine hair called lanugo begins covering your baby’s skin, helping protect it during development.
What Parents Often Ask
“Can my baby hear me yet?”
Not quite. But that exciting milestone is getting closer. Although hearing structures are developing now, babies typically begin responding to sounds later in the second trimester.
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Month 5 (Weeks 17–20): The Kicks You’ve Been Waiting For
This is the month many parents never forget.
Somewhere around 18 to 20 weeks, many women begin feeling their baby’s first movements, often described as fluttering, bubbles, or tiny taps. For first-time mothers, these sensations may be subtle. Women who have been pregnant before often recognize them a little earlier. Around this same time, your anatomy ultrasound is usually performed.
This detailed examination allows your physician to evaluate your baby’s:
- Brain
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Spine
- Face
- Arms and legs
- Placenta
- Umbilical cord
- Amniotic fluid
It’s one of the most comprehensive ultrasounds you’ll have during pregnancy.
“One of the most exciting milestones in pregnancy is the fetal anatomy ultrasound. Parents are always excited to see how much the baby has developed since that initial dating ultrasound and possibly learning the gender! As providers we are evaluating the development of the organs and limbs, confirming placenta location and measuring the amniotic fluid levels. In combination with genetic testing, this helps us to learn if any additional monitoring or evaluations will be needed as we continue on the pregnancy journey.” ~Dr. Wendy Parnell, Carlos and Parnell, M.D., P.A.
Don’t Compare Your Pregnancy to Someone Else’s
One of the challenges of social media is that it becomes easy to compare pregnancies.
Maybe your friend felt kicks at 16 weeks.
Maybe your sister had a larger baby bump.
Maybe someone else’s ultrasound measurements were different.
Those differences are usually completely normal. Healthy babies grow within a range, not according to an exact schedule. Your obstetric provider evaluates your baby’s overall pattern of growth, not just one number from one appointment.
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Month 6 (Weeks 21–24): Your Baby’s Personality Begins to Shine
By the sixth month, your baby has become much more active. Many parents notice that certain times of day—especially after meals or in the evening—bring bursts of movement. Those kicks, rolls, and stretches aren’t just reassuring; they’re signs that your baby is growing stronger.
This is also an exciting stage of brain development. Millions of new neural connections are forming, and your baby’s senses continue to mature. Taste buds are functioning, fingerprints are fully formed, and hearing has improved enough that your baby may respond to familiar voices, music, or even your dog’s bark.
One question we hear often is, “Should I be talking to my baby?”
The answer is yes—if it feels natural to you.
Reading a favorite children’s book, singing softly, or simply talking about your day can be a wonderful way to begin bonding with your baby. While your baby won’t understand the words, they may recognize the rhythm and familiarity of your voice after birth.
What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visit
As you enter the second half of pregnancy, your visits become increasingly focused on monitoring both your health and your baby’s growth. During this stage, your provider may discuss:
- Your baby’s movement patterns
- Weight gain and nutrition
- Blood pressure
- Screening for gestational diabetes
- Signs of preterm labor
To learn more about maintaining a healthy pregnancy, we recommend reading Keeping You & Baby Healthy: How Proper Nutrition During Pregnancy Can Help Prevent Gestational Diabetes on our website.
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Month 7 (Weeks 25–28): Entering the Third Trimester
The third trimester is an exciting milestone because your baby is now preparing for life outside the womb.
Although the lungs still have important developing to do, rapid progress is taking place every week. Body fat begins accumulating beneath the skin, helping your baby regulate body temperature after birth. Meanwhile, the brain continues growing at an astonishing rate.
You may also notice that your baby’s movements feel different. Earlier fluttering sensations often become stronger kicks, stretches, and even visible movements across your abdomen.
“My Baby Seems More Active at Night. Is That Normal?”
Absolutely.
Many pregnant women notice increased activity in the evening. During the day, your movement often rocks your baby to sleep. Once you finally sit down to relax, your baby may decide it’s the perfect time to wake up and exercise.
While every baby’s activity pattern is unique, regular movement is generally reassuring.
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Month 8 (Weeks 29–32): Growing Stronger Every Day
By now, your baby is gaining weight rapidly. Hair continues growing, bones strengthen, and most major organs are functioning well, although the lungs are still maturing. Many babies begin settling into a head-down position during this stage, though some won’t turn until later in pregnancy.
For many mothers, this is also when pregnancy becomes physically challenging. It’s common to experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Back discomfort
- Heartburn
- Trouble sleeping
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
These symptoms are often normal, but it’s always appropriate to mention new or worsening symptoms during your prenatal visits.
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Month 9 (Weeks 33–40): Almost Time to Meet Your Baby
The final weeks of pregnancy are filled with anticipation. By this point, your baby’s organs are fully developed, although the lungs continue their final stages of maturation until birth. As delivery approaches, your baby usually settles lower into the pelvis, sometimes making breathing easier while increasing pressure on your bladder. It’s perfectly normal to feel excited, nervous, impatient, or all of the above. Every prenatal appointment now becomes increasingly important as your healthcare team monitors both you and your baby for signs that labor is approaching.
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What Can Affect Fetal Growth?
One of the questions we hear frequently is whether something a mother did (or didn’t do) caused her baby to measure ahead or behind.
Fortunately, the answer is often no. Many healthy babies are naturally a little smaller or larger than average. However, several factors can influence fetal growth, including:
- Maternal nutrition
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking or nicotine exposure
- Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
- Placental health
- Certain medical conditions
That’s one reason regular prenatal care is so important. Ultrasounds and routine examinations allow your provider to follow your baby’s growth over time instead of relying on a single measurement.
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When Should You Call Your OB/GYN?
While most pregnancies progress normally, it’s important to know when something deserves prompt medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Leakage of fluid
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent severe headache
- Vision changes
- Sudden swelling of the face or hands
- Fever
- A noticeable decrease in your baby’s movements after they’ve become regular
One of the things we tell our patients is simple: If you’re worried, call us.
Sometimes the answer is reassuring. Occasionally, it’s something that needs immediate evaluation. Either way, we’d rather hear from you than have you spend hours searching online and becoming more anxious.
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Every Pregnancy Tells Its Own Story
Pregnancy is remarkable because no two journeys are exactly alike. Some babies are more active than others. Some pregnancies come with morning sickness, while others don’t. Some parents feel kicks early, while others wait a little longer. Those differences are usually part of the wide range of normal. Our role is to make sure your pregnancy is progressing safely, answer your questions honestly, and provide guidance every step of the way.
At Carlos & Parnell, M.D., P.A., we know that prenatal care isn’t just about measuring your baby’s growth. It’s about caring for the whole family as you prepare to welcome a new life into the world. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, we’re honored to be part of your journey.
For additional pregnancy education, you may also enjoy reading Pregnancy Timeline: Milestones and What to Expect Along the Way.
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References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=fetal-development-90-P02362
Cleveland Clinic
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/pregnancy-week-by-week
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