How Your Baby Develops Between 6 and 13 Weeks of Pregnancy

An ultrasound can provide a visual look at your baby during different stages of early pregnancy. The appearance can change significantly as development progresses from week to week.

Tracking these changes can help parents understand how quickly development occurs. Tummy Vision offers ultrasound services that allow families to view their developing baby during this important period.

During weeks 6 to 13 of pregnancy, your baby goes through some of the most important stages of development. This period, which is part of the first trimester, is when the foundations for all major organs and body systems are formed.

At 6 weeks, the embryo is only a few millimeters long, but the heart has already begun to beat. Tiny buds that will become the arms and legs start to appear, and the neural tube, which develops into the brain and spinal cord, continues to close.

By 8 weeks, your baby is about the size of a raspberry. Facial features become more noticeable, including the beginnings of the eyes, nose, and ears. Fingers and toes start to separate, and the heart is beating strongly enough to be detected during an ultrasound in many pregnancies.

Around 10 weeks, the embryo is now called a fetus. Major organs such as the liver, kidneys, intestines, and lungs are developing rapidly. Although the movements are still too small for you to feel, your baby may begin making tiny stretching and kicking motions.

At 12 weeks, your baby is about 5–6 cm long. Fingernails begin to form, the digestive system starts practicing contractions, and the external genitalia continue to develop. The risk of miscarriage also decreases significantly after this stage for many pregnancies.

By 13 weeks, the baby’s body is growing faster than the head, giving a more balanced appearance. Bones continue to harden, muscles become stronger, and the baby may even suck a thumb.

These weeks are filled with remarkable growth and change. Eating a healthy diet, taking prenatal vitamins, attending regular checkups, and getting enough rest can help support your baby’s healthy development throughout the first trimester.