Click here for a printable pdf. version of this page
Many people contend that unborn children are just “tissue” or “uterine contents,” but they are actually human beings developing into their fully-grown selves. Below are descriptions of the development of an unborn child from conception to birth. The facts are taken from Lennart Nilsson’s book A Child is Born, whose authenticity is not challenged by pro-choice organizations. The pictures below are public domain photographs and images from the Life Issues Institute, all rights reserved.
Conception
As early as two hours after intercourse the man’s sperm reaches the woman’s ova (egg) and begin to drill through the shell. Once one of the sperm penetrates the cell wall of the egg, it changes composition and no more sperm can pass through. 20 hours after intercourse the 23 chromosomes of the sperm and the 23 chromosomes of the ova combine to create a new, genetically distinct, human being.
0-2 Weeks Old
The single celled child, or zygote, soon divides into a 16-cell morula (mulberry) and then a 100-celled blastocyst. At this stage the unborn child is called an embryo, and it continues down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Usually the embryo implants in the “ceiling” of the uterus and an intense exchange of hormones and chemicals occurs between the embryo and its mother, which can be detected with a pregnancy test.
2-6 Weeks Old
The unborn child now develops cell layers that will accommodate their future organs. Pictured above is a five-week-old unborn child whose heart is pumping blood throughout its ¼ inch long body. Small buds now form which will eventually become arms and legs. At six weeks the unborn child’s heart beats at 140-150 beats per minute while it pumps blood through the ½ inch long body. Surrounded by the amniotic sac, the embryo now has reflexes which function from its nervous system.
6-12 Weeks Old
Above: 7 week embryo (left) and 12 week fetus (right)
At 8 weeks the unborn child is now a fetus that is approximately 1.5 inches long. At this point every organ found in a fully-grown human is in place in the fetus just waiting to develop. By 10 and 11 weeks the child’s body jerks and moves and even hiccups as its tiny body tests it’s new environment. The child’ yolk sac no longer produces blood cells as the liver and spleen take over this important job.
12-18 Weeks Old
Above: 14 week fetus (left) and 16 week fetus (right)
By 13 weeks the eye is well developed, and its lid will remain closed for a few months. At fifteen weeks the child’s arms are long enough to grasp one another and fingernails and toenails have formed. Indeed, the child is now four inches long and weighs four ounces. By early in the fourth month the child can start to hear sounds and its brain can begin to interpret them.
18-24 Weeks Old
Above: 20 week fetus
At this point the movements of the fetus become strong enough for its mother to feel within her. The child can kick and even perform somersaults. Its body is covered by a fine downy hair, and by 20 weeks it is possible that the child can feel pain and even survive outside of the womb (though this chance is very small and the child usually develops severe complications).
24-36 Weeks Old
Above: 28 week fetus
24 weeks is the accepted standard of viability, or the time an unborn child has a decent chance of survival outside of the womb. The child is now 9 inches long and weighs two pounds. In addition, the eyes open and become more sensitive to light. By the end of the pregnancy the child is at least a foot long and weighs 6-12 pounds and can grasp firmly. The baby is now ready to be born!
