Week by week in the womb

Want to know more about what your baby experiences in the womb and when? Use our prenatal timeline to mark major turning points in your baby’s development on your calendar, helping you know how and when to stimulate your baby as he grows.

Week 9 Begins movement. Can curve fingers around an object.

Week 10 Eyes fuse shut; eye color is determined. Critical development is complete and the rapid growth period begins.

Week 12 Vocal cords develop.

Week 13 Can make a fist.

Week 15 Mom begins to feel movement. Baby’s repertoire of movement is complete.

Week 16 Can suck, swallow, blink, hiccup and breathe.

Week 20 Startles in reaction to loud noise.

Week 22 Responds more to sound and begins recognizing familiar voices and noises.

Week 23 Hearing is completely developed.

Week 24 Develops taste.

Week 25 Develops preferences for certain scents. Starts being able to grasp.

Week 26 Responds to light as the optic nerve begins working.

Week 28 Recognizes familiar voices. Can distinguish between light and dark.

Week 29 Becomes more sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste and smell. Develops preferences for certain tastes.

Week 30 Eyes can follow a light source.

Week 31 Can move to the rhythm of music. Shows preferences to different types of music.

Week 32 All five senses are fully functional. Can dream.

Week 33 Can coordinate sucking and swallowing while breathing.

Week 34 Learns to open eyes while awake and close eyes while asleep.

Week 37 Now has a firm grasp. Will turn toward light directed into the womb.