Merriest of Christmases from our Birth Choice family to yours! The holidays are the absolute best…our only complaint is that they go by too fast! This month we thought it would be fitting to talk about fetal development and some facts that not everyone may know. Sure, we may know about the birds and the bees but what happens after fertilization is a whole other story! So, get cozy with some Christmas socks and eggnog because we hope you will learn a lot from this article!
1.) Day one is full of fun!
On day one of conception, all of your DNA markers are completely present in the creation of the individual that you are. All of the inherited features of ourselves are there at the beginning-whether we are a boy or girl, have curly hair, little freckles on our noses and more. Even though on day one we are smaller than a grain of sugar, all of our genetic traits are there. I think that is pretty sweet!
2.) Heart beats are pretty neat.
If you haven’t noticed yet, I like rhyming! On day 21, your itty bitty heart begins to beat on its own. Your heart beats about 70 times per minute and if you can believe it, your eyes are starting to form around this time as well. This makes the phrase “love at first sight” a little more interesting when you think about it.
3.) You were once an Olympic swimmer…
Okay, that may be a tad of an exaggeration but within the first 9 weeks of your life, you were doing a mean backstroke in utero. Not only are you doing cool flips, but also you are developing digestive and respiratory systems. So, if your tummy hurts from ice cream, you can blame it on this time period in your life.
4.) Nostrils and toenails and ovaries, oh my!
Around four months, the nostrils and toenails become visible. During this month, the baby will suck their thumb and will even start developing a sleep pattern. And if you’re a girl, this is when the ovaries begin to develop. Apparently we are busy little babies during this month!
5.) Third trimesters are full of development!
In the last few months of pregnancy, the baby hiccups and stretches and grows and grows! Eyelids begin to open and the baby is sensitive to almost everything. During this last few months, there is A LOT of movement and any mom around will tell you about it! Towards the end of the pregnancy, the child triggers labor and then birth occurs!
As you can see, it is vital to learn about fetal development and its’ intricate details. It is very, very important to discuss this topic and we really respect that you cared enough to read about it. We hope that this article finds you well and that you’re enjoying some time with those you love. Thank you for letting Birth Choice be a part of your life this past year and we hope to stay connected to you in 2019. We are so excited for all that is to come and of course, if you ever need anything, Birth Choice is here for you. Happy Holidays and stay safe!
References: Human Embryology and Developmental Biology, “Life Before Birth”, Life Magazine (april 30th, 1965). https://hdrc.org
