Development

Should you have an abortion? Before you decide, here are some facts for you to consider:

Your unborn child is growing inside your womb. From the moment of conception until birth nothing is added to your baby except time and growth.

Conception: The father’s sperm enters the mother’s egg.

5-9 days: The new individual burrows into the wall of the womb.

14 days: The mother’s menstrual period is suppressed by her child’s hormones.

18 days: The baby’s heart begins to beat.

20 days: The foundation of brain, spinal cord and nervous system are laid.

28 days: Muscles are developing along the future spine. Arms and legs are budding.

30 days: Blood flows through the baby’s veins.

35 days: The pituitary gland is forming. The mouth, ears and nose take shape.

42 days: The skeleton is formed. Brain waves can be recorded.

45 days: Spontaneous movements have begun. Buds of teeth have appeared.

7 weeks: Lips are sensitive to touch.

8 weeks: The child is well proportioned. Every organ is present. The heart beats sturdily. The liver makes blood cells. The kidneys begin to function. Taste buds are forming.

9 weeks: The child can bend fingers around an object places in the palm. Thumb sucking can occur.

10 weeks: The body is sensitive to touch. The baby squints, swallows, puckers up brow and frowns.

11 weeks: The baby urinates, makes complex facial expressions, even smiles.

12 weeks: The baby can kick, turn feet, curl and fan toes, make a fist, move thumbs, bend wrists, and open the mouth.

13 weeks: Vocal cords are formed. Sex organs are apparent.

4 months: 6 to 7 inches long; four ounces; facial features present. The baby can grasp with hands.

5 months: 10 to 12 inches long; one pound; mother definitely feels the baby’s movements. With special care, baby can survive outside the womb.

6 months: 11 to 14 inches long; 1 ½ pounds; eye lashes are formed; fine hair grows on eyebrows and head.

7 months: 14 to 17 inches long; 2 ½ pounds; eye teeth are present. Eyelids open and close, eyes look around. Mother’s voice is heard and recognized.

9 months: The child triggers labor and birth occurs.

Arches New Hope Pregnancy Center
115 West 200 South (across from Utah State University),
P.O. Box 1148 • Moab UT 84532 • 435 259-5433

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