Baby Chris is Nine Weeks Old

[This is part 10 of a multi-part series chronicling a pregnancy through the lens of “Baby Chris.” Click here for other parts.]


One week into the fetal period, Baby Chris is exhibiting new behaviors. According to the Endowment for Human Development, “thumb sucking begins and the fetus may swallow amniotic fluid. The fetus can also grasp an object, move the head forward and back, open and close the jaw, move the tongue, sigh, and stretch. By 9 weeks, the nerve receptors in the face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet can sense and respond to light touch. Following a light touch on the sole of the foot, the fetus will bend the hip and knee and may curl the toes.”

Baby Chris is about an inch and a half long from crown to rump. He or she has developed eyelids, which are fused together. Vocal chords are also developing at this point, as are the uterus and ovaries if Baby Chris is female.

You can learn more about Baby Chris’ life in the womb by downloading the free See Baby app.