Fetus Three Months | What Your Baby Looks Like Now

At three months of pregnancy, the tiny baby inside the uterus has a face, fingers, and toes, and already moves more than most people expect. Many people still feel queasy or tired, yet the first trimester is almost over and the basic layout of the body is in place.

Reaching this stage can feel like a turning point. Early symptoms may ease, the risk of miscarriage drops compared with the earliest weeks, and scans start to show a little person stretching, twisting, and waving. Understanding what is happening now can make appointments, scans, and everyday choices feel less confusing.

Your baby’s growth during this month follows a clear pattern. Health professionals often describe weeks nine to twelve of pregnancy as the time when the embryo becomes a fetus, organs mature, and the body stretches out from curled bean to tiny person.

Fetus Three Months: Size, Weight, And Appearance

By three months of pregnancy, many guides place the fetus somewhere between nine and twelve weeks of gestation. Exact timing varies a little from person to person, but the picture is similar.

Around week nine, the fetus is about the length of a large grape or strawberry. The head still looks large in relation to the body, and the arms and legs are short, with small ridges where fingers and toes will separate. Inside the chest, the heart beats with a regular rhythm that can often be measured on ultrasound.

By week twelve, the fetus has stretched to about five to six centimetres from crown to rump, close to the length of a plum. The skeleton has begun to harden, the neck is more defined, and the face looks more recognisably human, with eyes, eyelids, nose, lips, and a small chin. Fingernails start to form, and tiny teeth buds hide in the gums.

Skin at this stage is thin and almost see-through. Veins may be visible during ultrasound images. Muscles and joints develop enough for the fetus to bend elbows and knees, bring hands together, and make small kicks. These motions are usually too light for the pregnant person to feel, but they show up clearly on a scan.

How Medical Teams Count Three Months Of Pregnancy

One detail that often causes confusion is the way weeks are counted. Most healthcare providers date pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual period, not from the day of conception. This is called gestational age.

Because of this method, when someone says they are three months pregnant, the fetus itself is about two months old from the time of conception. Many medical charts also group pregnancy by weeks instead of months, and the “third month” usually covers weeks nine through twelve.

Understanding this counting system helps when reading pamphlets, apps, or medical websites. If a guide lists week ten changes, that information still describes what is happening to the fetus during the third month of pregnancy.

What Your Baby Looks Like Around Week Nine

During week nine, the fetus still has a curved posture, with the head tucked toward the chest. The basic parts of the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system are present and continue to grow. The tail-like extension seen in earlier weeks has almost gone.

Facial features take shape. Small indentations mark where the ears sit on the sides of the head. The eyes move from the side toward the front and are covered by thin eyelids that stay closed for several more weeks. The nose starts to form, and the upper lip becomes more distinct.

Hands and feet lengthen, and the first separate fingers can be seen. Toes soon follow. The fetus may make quick, jerky movements, stretching or twisting inside the uterus.

What Your Baby Looks Like Around Week Ten And Eleven

By week ten, the body straightens more, and the head lifts slightly from the chest. The neck becomes easier to see on ultrasound images. External ears gain more detail, and the outline of the spine appears as small bright segments under the skin.

At this stage, bones continue to form in the arms and legs. Wrists and ankles are visible, and the fetus can bend them. Inside the mouth, tooth buds grow in the gums. The kidneys start to produce small amounts of urine that release into the amniotic fluid.

Around week eleven, the fetus has longer limbs and a more balanced head-to-body ratio. Fingers and toes no longer look webbed. The fetus can open and close the hands, make small swallowing motions, and move the jaw. External genitalia begin to form, although most scans cannot reliably show the sex until later in pregnancy.

Three Month Fetus Development Stages And Milestones

By the end of the third month, many organs and body structures have formed their basic shape. Most of the changes from this point involve growth, refinements, and new skills such as more controlled movement. Medical resources like the Cleveland Clinic month 3 fetal development overview and the Mayo Clinic fetal development guide describe similar patterns of size, organ growth, and movement during this stage.

The liver takes on a large share of blood production during this time. The intestines, which started developing in a loop outside the body cavity, move into the abdomen. The diaphragm forms, separating the chest from the abdomen. Tiny airways branch in the lungs, preparing for breathing after birth.

Hormones produced by the placenta and fetus interact with the pregnant person’s body. Many people find that nausea slowly eases around this time, while fatigue may still linger. Others continue to have morning sickness beyond three months, which can still fit within a normal range.

Week numbers in the table below refer to gestational age, counted from the first day of the last menstrual period. Values are averages; individual fetuses may be a little smaller or larger and still be healthy.

Week Of Pregnancy	Approximate Crown–Rump Length	Main Changes
Week 9	Around 22 mm, about the size of a strawberry	Face more defined; eyes more obvious; major organs continue to form
Week 10	Around 31–35 mm, similar to a small plum	Head lifts; neck visible; limbs lengthen; first tooth buds develop
Week 11	Around 40–45 mm	Fingers and toes separate; fetus bends joints; outer ears gain detail
Week 12	Around 54–60 mm, close to the size of a plum	Bones harden; fingernails appear; intestines move into the abdomen
Movement, weeks 9–12	Varies	Arms and legs move; fetus makes small kicks and stretches seen on scan
Heart and circulation	—	Heartbeat steady; blood cells form in the liver; vessels spread through the body
Organs and body systems	—	Liver, kidneys, brain, lungs, and gut keep maturing; basic layout in place

How Your Body Feels At Three Months Pregnant

Changes in the fetus bring changes for the pregnant person as well. Some early symptoms, such as nausea, breast tenderness, and the need to urinate often, may continue through the third month. Hormonal shifts can still cause mood swings or sudden tears.

A small bump may start to show as the uterus grows above the pelvic bone. Clothes may feel tighter around the waist, even if total weight gain remains modest. Some people notice darker skin on the nipples or a dark line running down the centre of the abdomen, called the linea nigra.

Mild cramping, a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis, or backache can go along with the stretching of ligaments and muscles. Gentle movement such as walking or pregnancy-safe stretches often helps. Any strong pain, bleeding, or unusual discharge should be checked with a doctor or midwife.

Digestive changes are also common. Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle in the body, which can slow digestion and lead to bloating or constipation. Drinking enough water, eating fibre-rich foods, and staying active during the day may ease these symptoms.

Medical Care And Tests Around The Three Month Mark

Around three months, many health systems schedule a main appointment. In some countries, this includes a “booking” visit where the midwife or doctor reviews medical history, takes blood and urine samples, and talks through lifestyle habits, medicines, and previous pregnancies. This visit helps shape care for the rest of pregnancy.

Between ten and fourteen weeks, many pregnant people are offered a dating ultrasound scan. This scan measures the fetus from crown to rump to estimate gestational age and due date. It also checks that the pregnancy is in the uterus, assesses heartbeat, and looks for clear structural problems.

In several countries, the dating scan can also combine with screening for chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome. The NHS 12 weeks pregnant guide explains how this scan checks growth, heartbeat, and due date, and how it can link with screening tests in the United Kingdom. Professional groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists overview of how your fetus grows outline common tests used in early pregnancy. Blood tests early in pregnancy often include complete blood count, blood group and Rh factor, iron levels, and checks for certain infections. The exact set of tests varies by country and individual risk factors, so questions about which tests are offered are best directed to a personal care team.

Symptom Or Change	Possible Cause Around Month Three	When To Contact A Professional
Nausea and vomiting	Hormonal changes, often called morning sickness	Seek advice if you cannot keep food or fluids down or start to lose weight
Mild cramping or pelvic ache	Uterus enlarging and ligaments stretching	Contact a doctor or midwife if pain is sharp, one-sided, or does not ease with rest
Light spotting	Implantation changes or cervical irritation	Call a professional if bleeding becomes heavier, contains clots, or comes with strong pain
Strong abdominal pain or heavy bleeding	Can signal miscarriage or other urgent problems	Seek urgent care, especially if pain is severe, sudden, or combined with dizziness or fainting
Severe or persistent vomiting	May point to hyperemesis gravidarum	Talk with a health professional if you cannot keep fluids down or feel weak and dehydrated
Severe headache or vision changes	Sometimes linked with high blood pressure or other conditions	Arrange prompt assessment if headache is intense, frequent, or affects vision
Low mood, anxiety, or loss of interest	Perinatal depression or anxiety disorders	Speak with a doctor, midwife, or mental health professional if feelings affect daily life

Caring For Yourself While Your Fetus Is Three Months Old

Daily habits during this stage can provide a solid base for the months ahead. A regular pattern of meals with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy or alternatives, and protein sources help both the pregnant person and the growing fetus. Many prenatal vitamins supply folic acid and iron, which help reduce certain birth defects and anaemia when recommended by a health professional.

Gentle activity such as walking, swimming, or pregnancy yoga can boost energy and ease stiffness, as long as the care provider agrees it is safe. Long periods of standing or heavy lifting may worsen backache or pelvic strain for some people, so small adjustments to work and home tasks can make daily life more comfortable.

Sleep may feel more disrupted due to nausea, vivid dreams, or frequent trips to the bathroom at night. Resting when possible, using extra pillows to cushion the abdomen and between the knees, and reducing large meals near bedtime all help some people rest more easily.

What To Watch For And When To Call A Professional

Although many pregnancies progress smoothly during the third month, a few warning signs deserve prompt attention. Vaginal bleeding heavier than light spotting, strong or one-sided abdominal pain, fever, persistent vomiting that prevents eating or drinking, or a sudden drop in pregnancy symptoms can all signal problems that need assessment.

Miscarriage is more common in the first trimester than later on, and three month pregnancies are not exempt. Health organisations provide clear, compassionate information about early pregnancy loss, and medical teams can explain options and follow-up care. Feelings of sadness, guilt, or anger after loss are widespread and valid, and mental health care can help many people cope.

Even in ongoing pregnancies, some people face anxiety or low mood that interferes with work, relationships, or sleep. Talking with a doctor, midwife, or mental health professional about these feelings is just as valid as raising physical concerns. Screening for depression and anxiety now gives time for treatment and planning before the baby arrives.

Main Points About A Three Month Fetus

At three months of pregnancy, the fetus has moved from basic formation of organs and limbs to finer work on bones, joints, and movement patterns. The body lengthens, the face gains clear features, and a strong heartbeat drives blood through new vessels and organs.

For the pregnant person, this month often blends lingering first trimester symptoms with gradual relief and growing awareness of the baby as an individual. Regular antenatal appointments, healthy habits, and timely questions all help keep pregnancy on track.

Each pregnancy is different, so charts and week-by-week guides give only an outline. Personal care from a trusted doctor or midwife remains the best source of advice for specific concerns, test choices, and treatment decisions during this stage.