We hear a lot about ten pregnancies and abortions. The word “abortion” brings varied images but the word “pregnancy” paints a baby. Everyone knows what a baby is but the difficult question is, when is a baby a baby?
In the first months of pregnancy, called the first trimester, vital organs are being formed. Three months after fertilization, the egg has already divided and is securely attached to the mother. Two weeks later, a simple brain, spine, nervous system and the beginning of some major organs are formed. By week seven, the face and other organs are forming and the heart starts to pump blood. A week later, the face is recognizable, and all the major internal organs are developed in their simple forms. The tongue is formed and fingers are distinct. It moves a lot but many women may not even know they are pregnant. By week twelve, all the internal organs are formed and most are working. Tiny little fingernails and toenails are growing and the baby can curl his toes, make a fist, frown, purse his lips, open and close his mouth, suck, swallow and urinate. Most abortion occurs during this stage of pregnancy.
In the second three months, the second trimester, eyebrows, eyelashes and hair are growing. The heart can be heard with a special device. Arms and legs are well developed. The baby is very active and can respond to noises outside the womb. By the end of this trimester, the limbs are well-developed and the baby tries them out regularly. He can also cough and hiccup. Some abortion are still performed at this stage of pregnancy.
In the final stretch before birth, the third trimester, the baby can already feel and respond very much like a full term baby. Born now, it can survive with special care. In some cases, abortions are still performed at this stage. In fact, in certain countries, partial birth aborted is practiced in which the baby is aborted prior to birth.
Killing a baby outside a mother’s womb, newborn or older, healthy or sickly, is a crime called infanticide. Thus arises the question of when does a baby’s life begin? When is abortion the scraping away of unwanted cells and when is it the snuffing out the flame of life? Is there a magical point somewhere in which a mass of cells becomes a rightful individual? Does birthing somehow mysteriously and instantly confer personhood to a fetus? Moreover, on whose definition and authority does a baby receive the right to complete its quest for life outside the womb? Truly, these are heart questions that each must answer.
The word “pregnancy” .
is a painting of a baby. B. brings to mind the image of a baby.
C. is a famous painting of a baby. D. is the art of drawing a baby.
Which of the following is true within the first months of pregnancy? .
A. All the vital organs are formed.
B. The egg becomes fertilized.
C. The egg becomes securely attached to the womb.
D. The egg has become more than one egg.
The first trimester of pregnancy represents .
A. the final preparation for the birth of the baby.
B. the most important stage for developing al the vital organs.
C. the determining of whether the baby will be a boy girl.
D. the addition of details and refinement to the baby.
The second trimester of pregnancy represents .
the final preparation for the birth of the baby.
the most important stage for developing all the vital organs.
the determining of whether the baby will be a boy or a girl.
the addition of details and refinement to the baby.
The third trimester of pregnancy represents .
the final preparation for the birth of the baby.
the most important stage for developing all the vital organs.
the determining of whether the baby will be a boy or girl.
the addition of details and refinement to the baby.
