Differences Between a Fetus & Newborn

Fetus is a term used to describe a baby before he or she is born. The term is applied to a human embryo that has reached the eleventh week of gestation. The term newborn is generally used to describe babies who are less than 28 days old.

  1. Origin of the Term "Fetus"

    • Fetus is a Latin word that means bringing forth, hatching of young and offspring. It also has roots in Indo-European, which relate to sucking or suckling. The original spelling of fetus is foetus.

    A Fetus Resides in the Womb

    • A fetus cannot typically survive outside of the womb before 24 weeks gestation. Even then, severe medical and developmental problems can result in fatality. A newborn baby, on the other hand, can survive outside of the womb.

    A Baby is Born

    • At the exact moment of birth a fetus is no longer considered a fetus, but a newborn baby. A newborn baby can breathe without assistance and should be able and ready to suckle from the mother&'s breast or a bottle.

    How Long is a Baby Considered a Newborn?

    • Generally, the term newborn is applied to babies who are less than 28 days of age. Newborn may also be used to describe premature and postmature infants and stilborn babies.

    Fetuses and Newborns are a lot alike

    • New research suggests that newborn babies do not suddenly reach new milestones because they leave the womb. Rather, a fetus at 32 weeks gestation often behaves just like a two-week-old newborn.

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