Abortion Debate Forum - the First 12 Weeks...

I'm sure i'll get a lot of caca for this but...

I took this off of http://www.Prce.Org/prc_f irstnine.Html
it was on many different sites but I took it from this one. It goes past 12 weeks but I left it at that since that is usually the cut off date for when abortions are done.

The first nine months day 1 sperm joins the ovum (egg)
to form one cell — smaller than
a grain of salt. The new life has
inherited 23 chromosomes from
each parent, 46 in all. This one
cell contains the complex genetic
blueprint for every detail of
human development — the child's
sex, hair and eye color, height,
skin tone.

Days 3 - 4 the fertilized egg travels down
the fallopian tube into the uterus,
where the lining has been prepared
for implantation.

Days 5 - 9 during this time, the fertilized
egg implants itself in the rich
lining of the uterus and begins
to draw nourishment.

Days 10 - 14 the developing embryo signals
its presence through placental
chemicals and hormones, preventing
the mother from menstruating.

Day 20 foundations of the brain,
spinal cord and nervous
system are already established.

day 21-24 the heart begins to beat.

day 28 the backbone and muscles are
forming. Arms, legs, eyes and
ears have begun to show.

Day 30 at one month old, the embryo is 10,000 times
larger than the original fertilized egg — and
developing rapidly. The heart is pumping
increasing quantities of blood through the circu-
latory system. The placenta forms a unique
barrier that keeps the mother's blood separate
while allowing food and oxygen to pass through
to the embryo.

Day 35 five fingers can be discerned
in the hand. The eyes darken
as pigment is produced.

Day 40 brain waves can be detected and recorded.

Week 6 the liver is now taking over the production of
blood cells, and the brain begins to control
movement of muscles and organs.

Week 7 the embryo begins to move sponta-
neously. The jaw forms, including
teeth buds in the gums. Soon the
eyelids will seal to protect the embryo's
developing light-sensitive eyes, and will
reopen at about the seventh month.

Week 8 at a little more than an inch long, the
developing life is now called a fetus —
latin for "young one" or "offspring."
everything is now present that will be
found in a fully developed adult. The
heart has been beating for more than
a month, the stomach produces diges-
tive juices and the kidneys have begun
to function. Forty muscle sets begin to
operate in conjuction with the nervous
system. the fetus' body responds to
touch, although the mother will not be
able to feel movement until the fourth
or fifth month.

week 9 fingerprints are already evident in the
in the skin. The fetus will curve its
fingers around an object placed in the
palm of its hand.

Week 10 the uterus has now doubled
in size. The fetus can squint,
swallow and wrinkle its
forehead.

Week 11 at this time, the fetus is about
two inches long. Urination oc-
curs. The face has assumed a
baby's profile, and muscle
movements are becoming more
coordinated.

Week 12 the fetus now sleeps, awakens and exercises
its muscles energetically — turning its head,
curling its toes, and opening and closing its
mouth. The palm, when stroked, will make a
tight fist. The fetus breathes amniotic fluid
to help develop its respiratory system.

the growth pattern described above is recognized by medical information and documented by scientific research. Slight variations in developmental days may exist from individual to individual.