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?”
A History of You
Conception/Fertilization
Sperm fertilizes egg
The new life, starting as just one cell, eventually implants in lining of uterus
2 Weeks
Heart beats at 21 days
Foundation laid for brain and spinal cord
4 Weeks
Brain and spinal cord begin to form
Length is less than 1 inch
6 Weeks
Lungs are beginning to form
Eyes and nostrils are visible
Taste buds and teeth are beginning to develop
Brain activity recorded at 45 days
8 Weeks
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
10 Weeks
Fingernails are beginning to form
Kidneys are developing and can produce urine
12 Weeks
All major body parts and organs are present
Heartbeat can be heard with electronic devices
Bones are beginning to harden
14 Weeks
Mouth makes sucking motions
Spleen begins producing red blood cells
Hair pattern on head develops
16 Weeks
Movement may be felt by the mother
The unborn child can suck her thumb
Taste buds are present and functioning
18 Weeks
Arms and legs begin to punch and kick
Fingernails are well formed
Uterus begins to form if it’s a girl
Length is about 10 inches head to heel
20 Weeks
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)
22 Weeks
Rapid brain growth continues
Weight is about one pound
24 Weeks
Outside sounds can be heard
Actions such as hiccuping, squinting, smiling, and frowning may be seen through ultrasound
26 Weeks
Sleep patterns exist and rapid eye movement indicates dreaming may occur
Eyelids reopen after being closed for months
Muscles exercise by kicking and stretching
28 Weeks
Central nervous system is developed enough to control some major body functions
Another person might hear a heartbeat by listening to the pregnant woman’s abdomen
30 Weeks
Rhythmic breathing movements start to occur
Mom’s voice and other familiar sounds may be recognized
Bones are fully developed, but still soft and pliable
32 Weeks
Pupils can dilate and constrict in dim or bright light
Connections between the nerve cells in the brain have increased
34 Weeks
Weight is about 4 to 4.5 pounds
36 Weeks
Body fat increasing rapidly
Head may soon start repositioning down in preparation for birth
38 Weeks
A newborn is considered full-term 38 weeks after fertilization (40 weeks of pregnancy)
The unborn child can grasp firmly
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.