Fetus
From week 9 of pregnancy until birth, your developing baby is medically called a fetus. By this stage, all the major organs have begun to form and will spend the rest of the pregnancy maturing and growing. The fetus develops the ability to swallow, kick, hear sounds, and respond to light as pregnancy progresses. Regular ultrasound scans during the second and third trimesters monitor fetal growth, position, and wellbeing. If scans show that growth is slower than expected, your doctor may refer to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and arrange more frequent monitoring. In everyday conversation, most parents and midwives simply say baby.
What This Means for You
Understanding Fetus is an important part of your weeks 9-birth journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
Explore our Pregnancy hubGood to Know
Fetal wellbeing assessments at KKH and NUH may include Doppler blood flow studies and non-stress tests (CTG) in the third trimester if there are concerns about fetal growth or movement.
Related Terms
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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