Evidence of Life Inside the WOmb
Abortion is one of the most divided topics in the United States. It has been legalized in the United States since 1973 and has been debated for even longer. The division of beliefs about abortion has split people into two sides: pro-life and pro-choice. Pro-life followers are people who believe that abortion should not be allowed because it intentionally kills an innocent human being inside of the womb. They believe that life begins at conception and that therefore, abortion is murder. They look at the signs of life inside of the womb starting from conception and up until birth. There are many organizations such as Save the Storks, who actively speak out against abortion, work to inform people about the facts about abortion, and help support men and women who are going through pregnancies. Pro-choice followers are people who believe that abortion is a woman's right because it is her own body, and that there is only human life in the womb beginning at a certain point in a pregnancy. They believe that women should be able to decide whether or not they want to go through with a pregnancy and raise a child, based on the factors surrounding the pregnancy, such as the health of the baby or mother. However, abortion is only allowed up until a certain amount of weeks in the pregnancy, which varies in different states and countries. Most states in the United States allow abortion up to when the "the fetus reaches viability, usually at 24 to 28 weeks" (Lai).
Evidence of life found inside the womb can be seen in fetal developments described by PhD Brian Clowes include:
Evidence of life found inside the womb can be seen in fetal developments described by PhD Brian Clowes include:
- "At 9 weeks after conception, a fetus is able to bend its fingers around an object in its hand, and sucks its thumb. All essential organs have begun to form.
- At 11 weeks, a fetus is breathing amniotic fluid steadily and will do so until birth.
- At 12 weeks, a fetus can kick, turn over, make a fist, open its mouth and press its lips together.
- At 13 weeks, a fetus’s vocal cords and auditory sense are present.
- At 20 weeks, a fetus can be startled by a loud external noise.
- At 23 weeks, a fetus can demonstrate rapid eye movements (REM).
- At six months, fine hair grows on the fetus’s head and eyebrows, and small eyelashes begin to appear.
- At seven months, a fetus’s hands can support his entire weight.
- At eight months, a fetus weighs more than four pounds.
- During the ninth month from conception, a fetus gains half a pound per week. Of the 45 total generations of cell replication that will occur by mature adulthood, 41 have already taken place."
Sources:
Lai, Rebecca. "Abortion Bans: 9 States Have Passed Bills to Limit the Procedure This Year." The New York Times, 29 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/abortion-laws-states.html.
"Abortion Statistics." American Life League, 2020, www.all.org/learn/abortion/abortion-statistics/.
Clowes, PhD, Brian. "Life in the Womb." , 2020, prolifeaction.org/fact_type/life-in-the-womb/.
Lai, Rebecca. "Abortion Bans: 9 States Have Passed Bills to Limit the Procedure This Year." The New York Times, 29 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/abortion-laws-states.html.
"Abortion Statistics." American Life League, 2020, www.all.org/learn/abortion/abortion-statistics/.
Clowes, PhD, Brian. "Life in the Womb." , 2020, prolifeaction.org/fact_type/life-in-the-womb/.