Australian Capital Territory

Maternal Health Information Regulations Amendment
Subordinate Law 1999 No 23

The Australian Capital Territory Executive makes the following regulations under the Health Regulation (Maternal Health Information) Act 1998.
	Dated 1 October 1999.
gary humphries
Minister
brendan smyth
Minister

1 	Commencement
	These regulations commence on the day they are notified in the Gazette.
2 	Regulations amended
	These regulations amend the Maternal Health Information Regulations 1999.
3 	Schedule
	The Schedule is repealed and the following Schedule substituted:

	SCHEDULE	(See paragraph 4 (b))
	Material to be included in the pamphlet

Foetal development
This information has been approved under the Maternal Health
Information Regulations 1999.
Development begins on the day of fertilisation, which is usually two
weeks after the start of the last menstrual period (LMP). The
conventional method of measuring the age of a foetus is the number of
weeks since the start of the last menstrual period. The sizes and weights
of the embryo/foetus are approximate only and can vary.
4 weeks
At the first missed period the embryo is about the size of an apple seed
(0.25 cm).
8 weeks

Picture of Embryo at
8 weeks

At the second missed period the embryo is
about 1.2 cm long. The heart has been beating
for more than two weeks and limbs are
beginning to develop.

Picture of Embryo at
9 weeks

10 weeks
The foetus is now about 3 cm long and weighs
about 15 grams. Arms, legs, fingers and toes
are developing.

12 weeks
The foetus is about 6 cm from head to rump and weighs about 30 grams.
The heartbeat can be detected electronically. All major body organs
have begun to develop. The foetus begins small movements that cannot
yet be felt by the mother.
14 weeks

Picture of Embryo at
14 weeks

The foetus is about 8-9 cm from head to rump
and weighs about 45 grams. The foetus is able
to swallow and the kidneys are able to make
urine.
16 weeks
The foetus is about 12 cm, the legs are
developed and the weight is about 100 grams.
18 weeks
The foetus is about 14 cm long and is able to respond to sound.

Endnotes
Regulations amended
1	SL 1999 No 15 (not republished). 
Notification
2	Notified in the Gazette on 6 October 1999.

©  Australian Capital Territory 1999