Your child’s brain plays an integral role in their ability to survive, essentially controlling every function in their body, such as their heartbeat, ability to breathe and learning processes.
Even during pregnancy, the brain rapidly develops and directs key growth in the womb. But what does this brain development look like, and how can we boost and nurture its progress?
Week Five: Embryo is About the Size of a Sesame Seed
Following fertilization and the two-week germination stage, by week five of your pregnancy, your child is still considered an embryo.
But as the cells continue to multiply and the embryo matures, the five-week stage marks the start of the formation of the neural tube, which will later become the brain, spinal cord and neural tissues that make up the central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Health Tips
• According to England’s National Health Service, it is typical for you to experience food cravings at this stage of pregnancy to nourish you and your growing embryo. The health service recommends aiming to maintain a balanced diet at this point and talking to your doctor if you experience any out-of-the-ordinary, unhealthy cravings.
• Quit smoking and alcohol consumption, preferably before pregnancy. According to Northwestern Medicine, alcohol use during pregnancy is linked to learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder or aggressive behavior in children.
• Take prenatal vitamins including vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12, zinc and iron.
Weeks Six to Seven: Embryo is About the Size of a Blueberry
By weeks six to seven of pregnancy, the embryo’s neural tube closes, meaning it folds and now completes a full tube. The brain is now separated into three sections: the front brain, midbrain and hindbrain, according to Flo Health.
Health Tips
• If you begin to feel unusual symptoms, such as intense itchiness across your whole body, be sure to talk to your doctor. Although it might not be anything serious, any odd symptoms are worth discussing with your midwife or doctor at this stage of pregnancy, according to England’s National Health Service.
• Consider taking folate, or folic acid, which can help babies form healthy brain cells, according to an article from Nested Bean.
First Trimester — Weeks One to 13: Your Baby Grows into About the Size of a Lemon
The first trimester, which consists of weeks one to 13 of pregnancy, is key for fetal development, as the brain begins to grow rapidly, according to Flo Health.
After week seven, your child’s brain grows at a rate of about 250,000 neurons every minute, following the next 21 weeks, according to the women’s health and digital period tracker company. Electric impulses can also be detected on an ultrasound at about eight weeks of pregnancy, demonstrating brain function. Your child will be considered a fetus by week nine of pregnancy.
During the first trimester, your fetus’s brain makes up about half of its total weight, compared to a 10% when it’s born, as stated in Flo Health. This is because the first trimester marks neuron growth and synapses that lead to movement and development.
Health Tips
• At this stage of fetal development, it is typical for the mother to feel nausea and exhaustion. According to England’s National Health Service, “super snacks” such as these can improve energy levels and reduce morning sickness:
– Hummus and carrot sticks
– Pita bread and cheese
– Boiled egg
• According to the health organization, it is advised to follow these cautionary steps during this stage of pregnancy:
– Avoid individuals with chickenpox, Zika virus or rubella, which can harm brain development.
– Do not empty your cat’s litter; ask your partner or a friend to do it for you. The feces can release a toxic chemical that could be harmful to the fetus.
Second Trimester — Weeks 15 to 27: Your Fetus Grows from About the Size of a Pear to a Large Cabbage
The second trimester marks the start of brain-directed development. Your fetus’s brain stem will create messages that cause the chest muscles to compress and the diaphragm to move, which is considered “practice breaths,” according to Flo Health.
As the second trimester comes to a close, the brain stem, which is right above the spinal cord, will be almost completely developed.
Around this time, you might also begin focusing on reading or singing to your baby, as its nervous system allows it to hear loud noises. This may lead to jerks as your baby is startled by noise or wakes up from sleep.
Key Developments:
• At week 20, your baby’s cerebrum begins to develop, meaning its ability to detect the five senses starts to form, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Health Tips
• As stated in an article from the Mayo Clinic, reading to your child in the womb can improve their brain development, lead to parent-child bonding and influence language skills.
• According to the American Pregnancy Association, here are some tips to ease pregnancy symptoms and improve the development of your child:
– If interested, seek out tests to rule out congenital abnormalities, which can be done between weeks 15 and 18, and consider genetic screening if your pregnancy is high-risk.
– Begin sleeping on your side, which reduces pressure on the fetus.
– If you have a partner, ask them to provide a massage before bed, which can increase relaxation and make it easier to sleep if uncomfortable.
Third Trimester — Weeks 28 Until Birth: Your Baby Grows from About the Size of an Eggplant to a Watermelon
The third trimester marks intricate brain development, such as the creation of grooves and ridges on the cerebrum, which will separate into the left and right brain, according to Flo Health.
The cerebellum, which deals with motor control, now becomes the fastest-growing part of the brain, according to the health organization. This is why you will begin to feel more intense movements, like kicking from your child.
During this trimester, your child’s brain triples in size, going from 3 ounces to 11 ounces by birth, as stated by Flo Health.
Key Developments, According to the Cleveland Clinic:
• Week 28: Your child begins to experience brainwaves during sleep, meaning it can now enter REM sleep and dream.
• Week 30: The brain grows rapidly, which now allows the fetus to maintain its body heat.
• Week 33: Though at this stage your child’s bones begin to harden, the cranial bones, or bones around its brain, remain soft to prepare for delivery through the birth canal.
• Week 35: The brain weighs about 2/3 of what it will weigh by birth, meaning it is still rapidly growing before the 40th week. Most essential brain functions required for viability, such as breathing and heart control, are finished.
Health Tips
According to the Health Service Executive, the tips below can help guide you in nurturing your fetus’s brain growth:
• Play music, talk or sing and stroke your bump. These small actions can lead to bonding, which can, in turn, improve your child’s brain.
• Receive vaccinations such as the flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Infections can be harmful to your baby’s brain.
• Be mindful of harmful chemicals, such as those in cleaning and makeup and hair products.
• Maintain stress levels.