EDITORS’ NOTE: These facts about an unborn baby’s development were adapted from the National Right to Life website, www.nrlc.org/abortion/facts/fetusdevelopment.html.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Day 1 – fertilization: all human chromosomes are present; unique human life begins
— Day 6 — embryo begins implanting in the uterus
— Day 22 — heart begins to beat with the child’s own blood, often a different type than the mother’s
— Week 5 — eyes, legs, hands begin to develop
— Week 6 — brain waves detectable; mouth, lips present; fingernails forming
— Week 7 — eyelids, toes form; nose distinct, baby kicking and swimming
— Week 8 — every organ in place; bones begin to replace cartilage, fingerprints begin to form;
— Weeks 9 and 10 — teeth begin to form, fingernails develop; baby can turn head, frown
— Week 11 — baby can grasp objects placed in hand; all organ systems functioning; the baby has fingerprints, a skeletal structure, nerves, and circulation
— Week 12 — the baby has all of the parts necessary to experience pain, including the nerves, spinal cord and thalamus; the baby is nearing the end of the first trimester
— Week 17 — baby can have dream (REM) sleep
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(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE.
