When Does Life Begin? - Right to Life Southwest Indiana

When Does Life Begin? Indisputable scientific fact claims that from the moment of conception (fertilization) there is a living human present. There is not a single moment from conception (fertilization) to birth when this preborn child is not living, not human, and not a complete individual person.

Science proves that everything that makes us individual – including height, eye color, and skin tone – was all determined at the time of fertilization, thus answering the “When does life begin?” question. The monthly journey in the womb shows exactly why a child inside a woman is just that: a human child who deserves to live. Educated yourself and learn about all the amazing things babies do inside the womb.

Meet Baby Olivia

The Baby Olivia project was created by Live Action to show us how life begins. The images and videos of Baby Olivia depict life in the womb from conception until the end of her gestation.

Click on the image below to watch her story.

MILESTONES OF GROWTH ¹

Month 1

A primitive face with large dark circles for eyes forms
The mouth, lower jaw, throat begins developing
Blood cells take shape and circulation begins
A tiny “heart” beats at 65 times a minute
The baby is smaller than a grain of rice

Month 2

Facial features continue to develop
Each ear begins as a little fold of skin on either side of the head
Tiny buds that will grow into arms and legs soon
Fingers, toes, and eyes begin to form
A well-formed neural tube (brain, spinal cord, neural tissue of central nervous system)
The head is a large portion of the baby’s size
A heartbeat able to be detected externally
The baby is about 1 inch long and less than 1 ounce

Month 3

Arms, hands, fingers, and toes are fully formed
Has the ability to open and close their fists and mouth
Fingernails and toenails begin to develop
External ears are formed
Teeth begin forming
Reproductive organs begin to develop
Baby is fully formed – all organs and extremities are present and will continue to mature to function
Circulatory and urinary systems are working and liver produces bile
The baby is about 4 inches long and approximately 1 ounce

Month 4

Presence of a fully detectable heartbeat
Well-defined fingers and toes
Formed eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair
Teeth and bones become denser
Baby can suck their thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces
Nervous system is starting to function
Fully developed reproductive organs and genitalia for external detection
The baby is about 6 inches long and approximately 4 ounces

Month 5

Baby is developing muscles and exercising – kicking, punching, rolling
Hair begins to grow on baby’s head
The baby is about 10 inches long and approximately ½ to 1 pound

Month 6

Skin is reddish in color and wrinkled
Blood vessels and veins become visible
Finger and toe prints are visible
Eyelids begin to part and the eyes open
Baby responds to sounds by moving, thus increasing their pulse
Distinguish between the mother’s voice and that of another
Baby hiccups may occur
Experiences rapid eye movement (REM) sleep of dreams
Taste and savor mother’s meals
The baby is about 12 inches long and approximately 2 pounds
Ability to survive outside the womb by 23 weeks with intensive care

Month 7

Develops reserve of body fat
Hearing becomes fully developed
Changes position frequently and responds to stimuli, including sound, pain, and light
The baby is about 14 inches long and approximately 2 to 4 pounds
May survive outside the womb after the seventh month

Month 8

Continues to develop reserves of body fat
Baby is kicking and changing positions more in order to respond to stimuli, including sound, pain, and light
Brain is developing rapidly
Baby can see and hear
Development of most major internal systems – lungs may still be immature
The baby is about 18 inches long and approximately 5 pounds

Month 9

Baby continues to grow and mature: the lungs are nearly fully developed
Reflexes are coordinated so the baby can blink, close their eyes, turn their head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light, and touch
Baby moves less due to tight space
The position changes in order to prepare for labor and delivery
The baby is about 18-20 inches long and approximately 7 pounds