By the time you realize that you are pregnant your baby has already begun to grow.
Before you make a final decsion its important to understand the stages of fetal development.
Day 1
The sperm joins with the egg to form one cell smaller than a grain of salt. This one cell contains the blueprint for your child’s sex, hair and eye color, height and skin tone.
Day 20
Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already established.
Day 21
The heart begins to beat.
Day 35
Five fingers can be detected. The eyes darken as pigment is produced.
Day 40
Brain waves can be detected and recorded.
Week 6
The liver is now taking over the production of blood cells, and the brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs.
Week 7
The embryo begins to move spontaneously. The jaw forms, including teeth buds in the gums.
Week 8
The developing life is now called a fetus - Latin for "young one." Everything is now present that will be found in a fully developed adult.
Week 9
Fingerprints are already evident in the skin.
Week 10
The fetus can squint, swallow and wrinkle its forehead.
Week 11
The face has assumed a baby’s profile and muscle movements are becoming more coordinated.
Week 12
The fetus now sleeps, awakens and exercises its muscles energetically - turning its head, curling its toes, and opening and closing its mouth.
Month 4
The fetus can hear the mother’s voice and heartbeat as well as outside noises.
Day 1
Day 35
Week 7
Week 9
Month 4
The First Months - Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO.