Bothembryoandfetusare terms used to describe the stages of a babys development duringpregnancy.
This article will explain more about an embryo and a fetus.
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
What Is an Embryo?
Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health
An embryo is the early stage of a babys development during pregnancy.
The first stage is the fertilized egg (zygote).
What Is a Fetus?
A fetus is the later stage of a babys development during pregnancy.
From the end of week 10 until you give birth, the baby is called a fetus.
Embryonic Stage
During the embryonic stage, important systems and organs begin to form.
Cells multiply to create these systems.
The systems and organs that formed during the embryonic stage develop more.
The fetus also begins to look more like a human.
Many structural and birth defects can happen during the first trimester.
This means that the embryonic stage is more high-risk.
The embryonic stage happens first and lasts through week 10.
The fetal stage comes next and lasts from the end of week 10 until you give birth.
A Word From Verywell
Each stage of your babys development is important.
This is why you should schedule a prenatal appointment with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Talking to your healthcare provider and getting the right tests can help you have a healthier pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
An embryo grows from a fertilized egg.
The egg has to be fertilized by sperm for a baby to develop.
Thezygoteis the development stage before the embryo forms.
A zygote is the fertilized egg.
In general, pregnancy is divided into three trimesters.
The first trimester lasts from week one through week 12.
The second trimester is week 13 through week 28.
The third trimester is week 29 through 40.
During each trimester, your body and the baby go through many changes.
The first trimester allows your babys major organs to begin developing.
The second trimester is a time of rapid growth and change for your baby.
In the third trimester, your baby gains weight and their organs mature.
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Stages of pregnancy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Prenatal development: how your baby grows during pregnancy.
