Now onto the REAL facts.
Fetal Development - 1 Month
Baby at end of 1 month
Embryo is 1/4 inch in length
Heart, digestive system, backbone and spinal cord begin to form
Placenta (sometimes called "afterbirth") begins developing
Heart begins beating between 18 & 25 days
The single fertilized egg is now 10,000 times larger than size at conception
Fetal Development - Month 2
Baby at end of 2nd month
Embryo is 1-1/8 inches in length
Eyes, nose, lips, tongue, ears and teeth are forming
Penis begins to appear in boys
Embryo is moving, although the mother can not yet feel movement
Heart is functioning
Brain waves can be recorded on an EEG machine at 40 days
Fetal Development - Month 3
Baby at end of 3rd month
Fetus is 2 1/2 to 3 inches long
Weighs about 1/2 to 1 ounce
Nails start to develop and earlobes are formed
Fetus develops recognizable form
Arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes are fully formed
Eyes are almost fully developed
By this stage, a fetus has developed most of his/her organs and tissues
Fetal heart rate can be heard at 10 weeks with a special instrument called a Doppler
Fetal Development - Month 4
Baby at end of 4th month
Fetus is 6 1/2 to 7 inches long
Weighs about 6 to 7 ounces
Fetus is developing reflexes such as sucking and swallowing. Fetus may begin sucking his/her thumb
Tooth buds are developing
Sweat glands are forming on palms and soles
Fingers and toes are well defined
Sex is identifiable
Movements becomes strong enough for some mothers to feel at this point, though most will not feel anything for a few weeks
Skin is bright pink, transparent and covered with soft, downy hair
Although recognizably human in appearance, the baby would not be able to survive outside the mother's body
Fetal Development - Month 5
Baby at end of 5th month
Fetus is 8 to 10 inches long
Weighs about 1 pound
Hair begins to grow on his/her head
Soft woolly hair called lanugo will cover its body (and some may remain until a week after birth when it is shed)
Mother begins to feel fetal movement
Internal organs are maturing
Eyebrows, eyelids and eyelashes appear
Develops waking & sleeping patterns
Fetal Development - Month 6
Baby at end of 6th month
Fetus is 11 to 14 inches long
Weighs about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds
Eyelids begin to part and eyes open occasionally for short periods of time
Skin is covered with protective coating called vernix
Fetus is able to hiccup
Baby has a decent chance of surviving if born at this point
Fetal Development - Month 7
Baby at end of 7th month
Fetus is 14 to 16 inches long
Weighs about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds
Taste buds have developed
Fat layers are forming
Organs are maturing
Skin is still wrinkled and red
If born at this time, he/she will be considered a premature baby and require special care, but will have a good chance of survival
Fetal Development - Month 8
Baby at end of 8th month
Fetus is 16 1/2 to 18 inches long
Weighs about 4 to 6 pounds
Overall growth is rapid this month
Tremendous brain growth occurs at this time
Most body organs are now developed with the exception of the lungs
Movements or "kicks" are strong enough to be visible from the outside
Kidneys are mature
Skin is less wrinkled
Fingernails now extend beyond fingertips
Fetal Development - Month 9
Baby at end of 9th month
Fetus is 19 to 20 inches long
Weighs about 7 to 7 1/2 pounds
The lungs are mature
Baby is now fully developed and can survive outside the mother's body
Skin is pink and smooth
He/She settles down lower in the abdomen in preparation for birth and may seem less active
Welcome to the world!
If her mother had exercised her "right" to murder her, this little baby would never have had a chance.
