Fertilization: LIFE BEGINS!

• Life begins at fertilization, when the sperm and the female egg cell or ovum, meet to form a single cell. A new human life is created, different from his/her mother or father, different from any human being that has ever lived or ever will live. This new human life is totally unique, and has his/her own genetic code that will determine the characteristics he will have for the rest of his life.

• Within one week of fertilization, the new human implants in the mother's uterus and is nourished there for the next nine months.
• At three weeks, the baby's heart begins to beat. A microscope would reveal that this little baby has the characteristic 46 human chromosomes in every cell, demonstrating clearly that this is a human being.
• At six weeks, the baby has brain waves that can be measured with an electroencephalogram

• This 8 week old unborn baby swims freely in the amniotic sac with a natural swimmer's stroke. The mother won't feel him yet though until about 4 1/2 months into the pregnancy.
• At this age the baby is approximately the length of your thumb. He responds to painful stimuli, such as a needle prick, will grasp an object and make a fist.
• Each organ is present. The heart beats sturdily, the stomach provides digestive juices, the liver makes blood cells and the kidneys begin to function.

• At 12 Weeks, the baby is very active! He can kick his legs, curl his toes, squint, turn his head, open his mouth and swallow.

• By 16 weeks, the baby is 5 1/2 inches long and weighs nearly a pound. Fine details of development are present such as fingernails and eyelashes.
• Throughout his time in utero, the unborn child is nourished with food, water and oxygen by his mother through the placenta.