11 Weeks
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At 11 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is considered a fetus rather than an embryo [1,2]. Now that the early embryonic organ systems have developed, they will continue to grow and differentiate during the fetal period [3].
Red blood cells begin forming in the liver [1]. Sexual differentiation and ossification (the process of bone development) are ongoing [3,4]. The fetus’s eyelids begin fusing shut [3].
The ears appear lower on the fetus’s head and gradually move upwards throughout pregnancy [1]. The fetus makes poorly controlled and jerky movements [3]. It swallows amniotic fluid, which you may remember now includes fetal urine [3].
Growth is rapid in the weeks to come. Between now and week 20, the fetus will become three times longer and 30 times heavier [4].
References:
1. Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016.
2. Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, Johnson E, Poe B, Kruse DH, et al. 28.2 Embryonic Development. Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax; 2013.
3. Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, Johnson E, Poe B, Kruse DH, et al. 28.3 Fetal Development. Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax; 2013.
4. Harms R, Wick M, editors. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. Boston: Da Capo Press; 2011.
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Produced and written by: Samantha Lattof, PhD MSc
Medically reviewed by: Ayodeji Olelakan Abere, MD MBA MHA
Animation by: SciePro / Pond5
Music by: audiomarket / Pond5
Narration by: Ava at Wellsaid