Life Before Birth It’s natural to be afraid by what you do not know…when your future seems dim and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. This must be a scary time for you. Life Choices is glad you are here looking for answers. Facts can help you make wise choices about your pregnancy – decisions that are good for you.
If you are pregnant, we want you to get a clear picture about what is going on inside of you. We’ve all heard a picture is worth a thousand words, and we’d like for you to stop here for a moment to see through ultrasound technology the development of the child. Take a look. You are about to understand the creation of life a little better.
Click the play button below to view a video that will help you better understand the new life inside of you.
Conception Day
The egg and sperm most often unite in the fallopian tube to form a single cell called a zygote. This tiny new cell, smaller than a grain of salt, contains all the genetic information (DNA) of every detail of the new created life!
Day 18-25
The heart is beating.
Day 40
Brain waves can be recorded.
Week 5
The foundation for every organ system is already established and is beginning to develop.
Week 7
The baby makes its own blood in the liver, bone marrow, and spleen.
Week 8
The elbows and fingers become evident. Some reports show that the baby can respond to touch by reflex. The child is about ½” long.
Week 10
The arms and legs purposefully move. There are 20 tiny tooth buds present in the gums. The eyelids are developing and begin to close. Fingerprints are evident in the skin.
Week 14
The baby swallows and can suck its thumb. You can see the beginnings of the fingernails and toenails. The baby is about three inches long.
Week 16
The baby is approximately four inches in length and weighs nearly three ounces. The baby is moving, but the mother will not likely feel it. Through ultrasound, you can see the gender of the baby.
Week 22
The baby is about 7.5 inches long and hair is visible on the head and body. The baby can feel pain, possibly as early as 18 weeks.
Week 24
The baby is now weighing about a pound. Children born at this stage have been known to survive, although this is not for certain. A baby can hear the mother’s voice and heartbeat.
Week 28
With the support of hospital care, a baby born at this stage is capable of breathing air, and the brain is developed enough to regulate body temperature. The baby now uses the four senses of vision, hearing, taste, and touch.
Week 34
Now weighing about five pounds, the child’s eyes are wide open, the head is covered in hair, the fingernails and toenails are completely grown, and the baby has active sleep and wake cycles.
Week 40
At 20 or more inches long, typically, the baby is head down in the mother’s pelvis and awaiting birth. The wonder of life is about to be realized once more as the child enters the world.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, please call the Life Choices 24-Hour Helpline – 901-388-6262. We have answers to all your questions and want to empower you to make the best decisions for your life.