by Jacinta Hall

Created on: May 30, 2008

To be completely honest, I do not agree with abortion and I am about to tell you why.

Most doctors these days recommend the cut off date for abortions as being the 12 week mark, but even that doesn't make sense to me.

Let me run through the first 12 weeks with you and maybe then you can see my reasoning behind this. I will start at Week 4 as this is when most people discover they are pregnant (as their period is due).

Week 4 - Your baby is termed an 'embryo' and looks like a tiny tadpole around 1mm in length

Week 5 - The heart is 3/4 of the way formed and will begin beating. The brain, cardiovascular and nervous system are already starting to form. Your baby is between 1.5mm -2.5 mm in length.

Week 6 - Your baby now has a head and trunk. The beginnings of its mouth and digestive system are evident as well. The babies inner ear and blood circulation are also apparent and the facial features are starting to form as way of indentations for the moment. The baby's brain is developing and can be monitored on a special machine. The little heart is beating and is visible on the ultrasound. The baby is now between 4 -6 mm in length.

Week 7 - The head, spinal cord and some of the larger blood vessels continue to form. As these blood vessels are formed, the baby's heart pumps fluid through them and its first red blood cells are created.

The baby's brain, bladder, tongue and esophagus are all forming and you can see the tiny eyelids now as well. The little limbs are forming and its heart, intestines, kidneys, liver and lungs all continue to grow. The baby is now quite active in its little home and is kicking a lot, although still too tiny for you to be able to feel this activity. Your baby now measures between 7-9mm in length.

Week 8 - The babies facial features are more obvious now. Back muscles are growing along the spinal column and the reproductive organs are beginning to form. Fingers and toes are beginning to show, although webbed looking. An ultra sound will show the babies heart beat and reflex motions/activity. The brain is growing stronger and the hardening of bones begin in its joints. The baby is now between 8 -11mm in length.

Week 9 - The baby looks like a tiny human now. Heart valve formation, as well as the retina formation has started. The baby will move away from the uterine wall if touched or poked now. The baby is also starting to take his first drinks of the amniotic fluid. It measures between 13 -17mm (about the size of a raspberry) and weighs around the weight

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