This is my page... dedicated to over 47 million unborn babies, who have been aborted in the US since 1973. They never had a voice.
**FETAL DEVELOPMENT**
1ST TRIMESTER
Week 2* ~ Fertilizaton is the moment at which the sperm penetrates the ovum. Forty-six chromosomes provide the blueprint for the baby’s physical characteristics and a unique human life begin's. Immediately unpon fertilization, the sex is determined.
[Fertilizaton]
Week 3 ~ At this point, the blastocyst, or developing embryo, is looking for a spot to implant in the uterus. Early formation of the central nervous system, backbone, and spinal column has begun. The gastrointestinal system has also begun to develop with the kidneys, liver, and intestines forming. The heart has begun to form.
[4 week embryo]
Week 4 ~ Upon implantation, complex connections between the mother and embryo develop to form the placenta.
Week 5 ~ The embryo’s tiny heart begins to beat by day twenty-one. The brain has developed into 5 areas and some cranial nerves are visible. Arm and leg buds are visible and the formation of the eyes, lips, and nose has begun. The spinal cord grows faster than the rest of the body giving a tail like appearance which disappears as the embryo continues to grow. The placenta begins to provide nourishment for the embryo.
[This remarkable photograph of a tiny fetus in its unruptured amniotic sac was taken after surgery for an ectopic pregnancy in 1972. This picture demonstrates the development of a baby at only six weeks after conception.]
[6 weeks]
Week 6 ~ The fetus is about 1/5 of an inch in length. The primitive heart is beating. Head, mouth, liver, and intestines begin to take shape.
[7 weeks]
Week 7 ~ Major organs have all begun to form. The embryo has developed its own blood type, unique from the mother’s. Hair follicles and nipples form and knees and elbows are visible. Facial features are also observable. The eyes have a retina and lens. The major muscle system is developed and the embryo is able to move.
Week 8 ~ The embryo is reactive to its environment inside the amniotic sac where it swims and moves. Hands and feet can be seen. At the end of week 8, the embryonic period is over and the fetal stage begins.
[Week 9]
Week 10 ~ The embryo is now about 1 inch in length. Facial features, limbs, hands feet fingers and toes become apparent. The nervous system is responsive and many of the internal organs begin to function.
[11 weeks]
2ND TRIMESTER
[13 weeks]
Weeks 13-16 ~ The brain is fully developed and the fetus can suck, swallow, and make irregular breathing sounds. Fetus can feel pain (New England Journal of Medicine) Fetal skin is almost transparent. Muscles tissue is lengthening and bones are becoming harder. Liver and organs produce appropriate fluids. Eyebrows and eyelashes appear and the fetus makes active movements including kicks and even somersaults.
Week 18 ~ The fetus is now about 5 inches long. The child blinks, grasps, and moves her mouth. Hair grows on the head and body.
[20 week girl]
[5 months]
Week 20 ~ “Quickening†(when the mother can feel the fetus moving) usually occurs around this time. Finger and toenails appear. Lanugo, a fine hair now covers the entire body. The fetus can hear and recognize the mother’s voice. Sex organs are visible on ultrasound devices.
Week 22 ~ The fetus now weighs approximately 1/2 a pound and spans about 10 inches from head to toe. Sweat glands develop, and the external skin has turned from transparent to opaque.
3RD TRIMESTER
Week 24 ~ A protective waxy substance called Vernix covers the skin. By birth, most of the vernix will be gone but any that is left is quickly absorbed. Fetus has a hand and startle reflex. Footprints and fingerprints are forming. Fetus practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into its developing lungs.
[26 weeks]
[28 weeks]
Weeks 25–28 ~ Rapid brain development occurs during this period and the nervous system is able to control some bodily functions. The fetus’ eyelids now open and close. At 25 weeks there is a 60% chance of survival if born. The fetus can now inhale, exhale and even cry. Eyes have completely formed, and the tongue has developed taste buds. The fetus is considered legally viable at 28 weeks and there is a 90% chance of survival if born at this point.
[30 weeks]
[32 week male]
Weeks 29–32 ~ There is a rapid increase in the amount of body fat the fetus has. Rhythmic breathing occurs, but the lungs are not yet mature. The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day. At this point there the survival rate is above 95% if the baby is born.
[Delivery]
Weeks 38–40 ~ The fetus is considered full-term. Lanugo is gone except on upper arms and shoulders. Hair on the baby’s head is now coarser and thicker. The lungs are mature. The average weight of the baby at this point is seven and a half pounds. At birth the placenta detaches from the uterus and the umbilical cord will be cut as the baby takes his first breaths of air. Breathing will trigger changes in the heart and bypass arteries forcing all blood to now travel through the lungs.
[*Obstetricians count "weeks of pregnancy" from the first day of a woman's last menstrual cycle because there is often no way to determine exactly when conception occurred. Embryologists, however, typically describe the developing embryo or fetus by the number of weeks since conception. To determine the age of the unborn child since conception using this table, subtract two weeks.]
Sources:
Westside Pregnancy Resource Center
(New England Journal of Medicine)
