Fetal Development Posters

A Journey Through Fetal Development: Visualising Lifefrom Conception to Birth

Fetal development is an extraordinary process, with rapid changes occurring each week as the baby grows and matures inside the womb. Understanding these changes is crucial for expectant parents, healthcare professionals, and educators. At Uanatomy, our fetal development anatomy posters provide a week-by-week visual guide to this remarkable transformation, offering clear, scientifically accurate illustrations that make learning both engaging and informative.

Fetal Growth: Week-by-Week Milestones

From a single fertilised cell to a fully developed newborn, the foetus undergoes significant growth and transformation over the 40 weeks of pregnancy. Our posters visually capture each stage, highlighting key anatomical and physiological developments.

First Trimester (Weeks 1–12): Foundations of Life

Week 4

The embryo forms, and the neural tube (which becomes the brain and spinal cord) begins to develop.



Week 6

The heart starts beating, and tiny limb buds
appear.

Week 10

Facial features, fingers, and toes become more distinct; internal organs begin functioning.

Week 12

The foetus is about 5 cm (2 inches) long, with reflex movements starting to develop.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27): Growth & Specialisation

Week 16

The baby’s skeleton hardens, and movements become stronger—sometimes felt as the first flutters.

Week 20

The foetus is now about 25 cm (10 inches) long; the gender can often be identified via ultrasound.

Week 24

The baby’s lungs begin producing surfactant, a crucial substance for breathing after birth.



Week 27

The nervous system matures, and the baby
responds to light and sound.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40): Preparing for Birth

Week 30

Rapid brain growth occurs, and the baby starts regulating its body temperature.

Week 34

The immune system strengthens, and the baby practices breathing movements.

Week 37

The baby is considered full-term, with fully
developed lungs and increased fat storage.

Week 40

At birth, the baby is typically around 50 cm (20 inches) long, weighing between 2.5–4 kg (5.5–9 lbs).

How Our Anatomy Posters Enhance Understanding

Our fetal development posters provide detailed, high-quality illustrations that make this complex journey easier to understand. These visuals offer:

  • A Clear Week-by-Week Guide – Each stage of development is illustrated with precision, helping viewers track fetal growth.
  • Cross-Sectional Views of the Womb – Showing the baby’s position, size, and relationship to the placenta and amniotic sac.
  • Realistic Proportions & Detail – Created by
    expert medical illustrators to provide scientifically accurate depictions.
  • Inclusive Representation – Showcasing fetal growth across different maternal body types and cultural backgrounds.

Whether you’re an expecting parent, healthcare professional, medical student, or educator, our posters serve as an invaluable tool for learning and teaching about pregnancy. By visualizing the journey from conception to birth, we make fetal development accessible, engaging, and easy to understand.

Explore our collection today and bring the miracle of life
to learning!