Fetal Development
Not open for debate is the fact that our lives began long before birth—at the moment of fertilization. The following is a description of the first months of life. All of these facts are recognized in both biology and medical texts. How much do you know about your own beginnings?
Fingers have grown and separated, toes are now visible
Facial features—eyes, nose, lips, and tongue—continue to develop
Each minute the brain develops as many as 250,000 new neurons
Unborn child is now called a fetus (Latin for offspring), rather than an embryo
Mouth makes sucking motions
Spleen begins producing red blood cells
Hair pattern on head develops
Experts say she can feel pain
Swallowing begins
Can turn body side to side and front to back
Babies born at this time may be able to survive (21+ weeks gestation)
Resources
Fetal Development Poster
A full-color fetal development poster is available in our online store. It lists weekly facts from this page, and includes beautiful intrauterine photos and drawings. The poster is 18″ x 21.5,” sturdy and durable for display against a wall or on an easel. Help educate others about the amazing facts of life.
Cruel and Usual Punishment Presentation
Cruel and Usual Punishment is a free PowerPoint presentation that contrasts the wonder of fetal development with the brutality of abortion. The presentation does not utilize any graphic abortion photos but does provide detailed descriptions of abortion procedures used and compares them with detailed facts about fetal development.
Fetal Pain
Is an abortion painful for the baby? The latest research shows unborn children have the capacity to feel pain at 20 weeks of pregnancy, and perhaps even as early as 12 weeks. However, pain is a subjective experience, so how do we know? We know because of the unborn child’s anatomy, and the unborn child’s observed reaction to pain.