Your baby is now about one inch long - about the size of a lima bean. Every major system is now present, though many are still in rudimentary form. The facial features, however, are developing rapidly.
By the end of the seventh week your baby will have nostrils, visible ear folds and eye lids that are beginning to cover his eyes. His mouth is taking shape with lips, tongue and first teeth buds now forming.
The limbs of the embryo are now taking shape more, with elbow, wrist and knee joints visible. Even his toes are beginning to form now, helping him to appear much more human in form than in previous weeks.
Your son's liver is now functioning, creating the first red blood cells for the baby. In fact, your baby's blood type antigen factors are now present and you could test whether he is Rh positive or Rh negative. If you are not sure of your blood type, and the blood type of your partner, you'll want to be sure to discuss this with your health care provider.
Your baby's brain cells are now beginning to make connections with each other, sending the first signals to his body. Though you'll not be able to feel it, your baby is now beginning to make his first movements. The movements are not yet well coordinated, they can appear rather spastic and jerky right now, but soon your baby will be making purposeful and smooth movements.
As the brain continues to grow, the cerebellum lobes are now visible. The nervous system is growing so rapidly right now that scientists estimate over 100,000 nerve cells are added to the embryo's body each minute!
Did you enjoy this article? It is part of the Pregnancy - Week by Week Through the First Trimester ebook available today!
Resources:
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month by Dr. Sears
Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Lesley Regan
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
