Analysis

According to embryology, the science is clear— a unique human life is created at fertilization. “Human development is a continuous process that begins when an oocyte (ovum) from a female is fertilized by a sperm (spermatozoon) from a male to form a single-celled zygote”[ii] and “[t]hrough the mingling of maternal and paternal chromosomes, the zygote is a genetically unique product of chromosomal reassortment.”[iii] In other words, “[t]he zygote is genetically unique because half of its chromosomes came from the mother and the half from the father” and it “contains a new combination of chromosomes that is different from that in the cells of either of the parents”[iv] (emphasis added).

Even mainstream health institutions like Mayo Clinic acknowledge the humanity of the unborn baby, consistently referring to the “fetus” as a baby when describing the development process on their website.[v] According to their posted information, a 7-week baby already has a head with a developing brain and face.

Pro-abortion rhetoric ignores these facts. Abortion centers, like Planned Parenthood, refrain from using terms like baby, or unborn child, since any such reference implies humanity. Instead, they use deceitful language and falsely refer to babies at even 8-10 weeks old as ‘lumps of tissue,’ or a ‘clump of cells.’[vi] This alarmingly inaccurate description of a developing baby leaves many women in shock when they perform at-home chemical abortions. Expecting a lump of tissue, they often see the formed fingers, toes, and organs of their child.[vii]

A former Planned Parenthood director confessed that there had been instances where women brought their aborted 9-week babies into the clinic.[viii] The women were deeply upset as they had been informed that there would be nothing more than tissue and blood clots – like a ‘heavy period.’ Testimony after testimony from women who used the abortion pill reveal that their ‘pregnancy tissue’ had fingers, toes, a tiny head, and limbs.[ix]

Read more about how abortion harms women here.

Baby Development During Pregnancy[x]

A typical gestation period lasts 37 to 42 weeks. Gestational age is measured from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual cycle, which means the woman’s body is preparing for a baby during weeks 1 and 2 of the gestational period. The third week is when ovulation and fertilization takes place, and implantation begins.

Weeks 4-5. Blood cells, kidney cells, and nerve cells develop; the baby’s brain, spinal cord, and heart begin to develop; bone tissue is growing.

IMAGE [xi]

Week 6. A heartbeat is detectable via ultrasound; brain activity can be recorded; eyes and ears begin to form; early reflexes develop; blood pumps through the main vessels; lungs begin to form.

IMAGE [xii]

Week 8. All major organs and body systems have begun to develop; the brain begins to control organs; elbows and toes are visible.

IMAGE [xiii]

Weeks 9-12. Facial features become more distinct; fingers and toes start to form with soft nails; bones, muscles, and intestines begin to grow; arms and elbows develop; tooth buds appear.

IMAGE [xiv]

Weeks 13-16. The baby can swallow and hear; arms and legs can flex; external sex organs are formed; kidneys are functioning and begin to produce urine. At 15 weeks, the baby can feel pain.[xv]

IMAGE [xvi]

Weeks 17-20. The sucking reflex begins; the baby sleeps and wakes regularly; in female babies, the eggs have formed in the ovaries; arms and legs begin to punch and kick.

IMAGE [xvii]

Weeks 21-24. The baby may hiccup, squint, smile and frown; rapid brain growth occurs; lungs are fully formed, unique finger and toe prints can be seen; vocal cords are active; eyes are fully functional and capable of movement. Babies born as early as 21 and 22 weeks have survived and are now thriving with minimal health complications.[xviii]

IMAGE [xix]

Weeks 25-28. The baby’s eyes can open and close, and sense changes in light; the baby can make grasping motions and respond to sound; central nervous system is developed enough to control some body functions.

IMAGE [xx]

Weeks 29-32. The baby gains weight very quickly; bones harden; hair on head starts to grow; rhythmic breathing movement occurs.

IMAGE [xxi]

Weeks 33-36. The baby keeps its eyes open during alert times and closed during sleep; organs are ready to function on their own but may need special medical care.

IMAGE [xxii]

Weeks 37-40. The baby is fully capable of surviving outside the womb.

IMAGE [xxiii]