The Struggle For Life - Volume Fourteen

This is boilerplate information about the formation of a child in the womb. Dr Wyman tried to make of this amazing process, a rather meaningless, undifferentiated process in the "cycle of life." All life is amazing, but the complexities of child development in the womb is most amazing. From the complexity of it all, it seems a wonder any child is ever born, and born normal and healthy. This information should be comprehended by anyone who wants to counsel a woman to have a child. 

The following information is approximate & intended for general information.

Every pregnancy is different. Development varies from fetus to fetus.

Do not rely on this information for personal medical decisions.

The process leading up to the birth of a newborn baby can be divided into many steps:

	About 1 month before conception: Almost all adult males produce thousands of spermatozoa (a.k.a. gamates or male germ cells) each second. Through a process callede "meiosis" the number of chromosomes in each spermatozoon produced is half the normal number -- 23 instead of 46. Some spermatozoon will have an X sex chromosome; others will have a Y sex chromosome. It would take about 500 of them lined up in a row to total 1 inch in length. They take a month or so to travel from a testicle, through a long tube called the "vas deferens," to reach a small reservoir inside the man's prostate gland. Here, semen (a mixture of spermatozoa and various fluids) is formed. Each spermatozoon contains human DNA, but only one complete set of chromosomes; normal cells have two. They certainly appear to be living organisms. As seen in a microscope, they seem to be moving energetically with the sole motivation of fusing with an ovum -- except that they don't have a mind, and thus cannot have any motivation. Most people consider them to be a form of human life, because they appear alive and contain human DNA. Some scientists define "life" so strictly that spermatozoon are not considered alive, because they cannot, by themselves, reproduce. Reproduction requires an ovum and fertilization. A spermatozoon's movements are due to chemical reactions.
	Perhaps one day before conception: The woman ovulates and produces one mature ovum (a.k.a. gamate, egg cell, egg). As for the spermatozoa. it also carries a "half cargo" of human DNA -- again only 23 chromosomses, one of which is always a X sex chromosome. It travels down one of her fallopian tubes towards her uterus. It is about 1/100" in diameter, and is barely visible to the naked eye. It also considered by most of the public to be a form of human life, for the above reasons. But it does not meet some scientists' strict definition of a living organism, because it lacks one factor: the ability by itself to reproduce. It can only reproduce with the assistance of a spermatozoon. Some of these scientists have described an ovum as an"inert globule of organic matter." If the woman has not ovulated, has unprotected sexual intercourse, wants to avoid a pregnancy, and takes an "morning after" pill, it will normally prevent ovulation. If ovulation has occurred, it will normally prevent conception.
	A microphotograph of an ovum being surrounded by large numbers of spermatozoa 6A microphotograph of a spermatozoon fusing with an ovum During the process of conception: One very lucky spermatozoon out of hundreds of millions ejaculated by the man may penetrate the outside layer of the ovum and fertilize it. This happens typically in the upper third of one of the woman's Fallopian tubes. The surface of the ovum changes its electrical characteristics and normally prevents additional sperm from entering. A genetically unique entity is formed shortly thereafter, called a zygote. This is commonly referred to as a "fertilized ovum." However that term is not really valid because the ovum ceases to exist after the completion of conception. Writers often refer to the "moment of conception" or "instant of conception." Actually, this is a process that extends over time. Half of the zygote's 46 chromosomes come from the egg's 23 chromosomes and the other half from the spermatozoon's 23. The result is a unique DNA structure, different from both that of the ovum and the spermatozoon. Thus, the resulting newborn will contain a different DNA from its birth mother, and birth father, and from its siblings. These differences may give the child a reproductive advantage or disadvantage over other children in society. It is this factor that Charles Darwin made the driving force of his theory of evolution. The zygote  "...is biologically alive. It fulfills the four criteria needed to establish biological life: metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction." 1 It can reproduce itself through twinning at any time up to about 14 days after conception; this is how identical twins are caused. The zygote will contain an X sex chromosome donated from the egg and either an X or Y sex chromosome coming from the spermatozoon. If it ends up with XX chromosomes, the xygote is female; if XY, it is male. In this way, the sex of a zygote, embryo, fetus and child is determined by the birth father's permatozoa. Unfortunately, in the past, women were often blamed for producing new or no male children. In some cultures, particularly those where women are devalued, they are still unjustly blamed. Conception is the point when the vast majority of pro-life groups, conservative Christians, and others define as the beginning of pregnancy. 8 Most of these groups also define the start of a human person as occurring at conception. The zygote first divides into two identical cells, called blastomeres. They continue to subdivide once every 12 to 20 hours as the zygote slowly passes down the fallopian tubes. It develops into a morulla and blastocyst. The medical definition of the start of pregnancy is about 10 days after conception, when the blastocyst implants itself in the inner wall of the uterus. Many religious groups, Christian and others, believe that God implants a soul in the zygote during the conception process or later. Various faith groups define the soul as containing various combinations of a human's mind, will, emotions, memories, etc. Some groups regard the implantation of the soul as the defining event that changes human life into a human person. Most religious progressives and secularists note that a soul with these functions cannot exist until about the 26th week of pregnancy after the fetus becomes sentient. its higher brain functions first appear, and it becomes aware of its environment; most doubt the existence of the soul, and note that it is believed to be weightless, invisible, and undetectable by any means known to science. (Note: I placed that paragraph in italics to point out that nothing it says is the real Christian understanding of the term "soul".  To be "ensouled" is to be alive. Already, in the form of the zygote, the human soul is forming its body, the soul is already "functioning." The second that process starts that tiny creature is "ensouled." And that ensouling happens immediately upon fertilization, if it is a viable creature. Immediately, that living cell, starts its function, as was previously stated, it is "alive" i.e. ensouled.  Protestants do not hold this understanding that all living things are "ensouled."  They argue whether a dog has a soul and so on.  For the Orthodox, there is not question of all living creatures and even plant life being "ensouled." A plant is "ensouled" it contains the living knowledge to produce itself, and re-produce itself. This functions on the micro-level. All autonomous creatures, capable of functioning, (1) in the process of forming themselves, (2) and as fully formed creatures, are "alive" therefore "ensouled." The second that that "entity" begins to form itself in the womb, it is a different creature than its mother, with different intent and goal - even though it is unconscious of its actions, vis a vis our understanding of human cognition, yet it is purposely acting, according to the nature of its life, i.e. soul. )
	About 3 days after conception: The zygote now consists of about 16 cells and is called a 16 cell morula (a.k.a. pre-embryo). It has normally reached the junction of the fallopian tube and the uterus.
	5 days or so after conception: A cavity appears in the center of the morula. The grouping of cells are now called a blastocyst. It has an inner group of cells which will become the fetus and later the newborn; it has an outer shell of cells which will "become the membranes that nourish and protect the inner group of cells." 3 It has traveled down the fallopian tubes and has started to attach itself to the endometrium, the inside wall of the uterus (a.k.a. womb). The cells in the inside of the blastocyst, called the embryoblast, start forming the embryo. The outer cells, called the trophoblast, start to form the placenta. It continues to be referred to as a pre-embryo. 2
	9 or 10 days after conception: The blastocyst has fully attached itself to endometrium. Primitive placental blood circulation has begun. This blastocyst has become one of the lucky ones. The vast majority of ova are never fertilized and make it this far in the process. If the woman has taken a "morning after" pill, and it has not prevented ovulation, and it has not prevented conception, then it will generally prevent the blastocyst from attaching to the wall of the womb.
	12 days or so after conception: The blastocyst has started to produce hormones which can be detected in the woman's urine. This is is the event that all (or almost) all pro-choice groups and almost all physicians (who are not conservative Christians) define to be the start of pregnancy. If instructions are followed exactly, a home-pregnancy test may reliably detect pregnancy at this point, or shortly thereafter.
	13 or 14 days after conception: A "primitive streak" appears. It will later develop into the fetus' central nervous system. This is the point at which spontaneous division of the blastocyst -- an event that sometimes generates identical twins -- is not longer possible. The pre-embryo is now referred to as an embryo. It is a very small cluster of undifferentiated cells at this stage of development.
	3 weeks: The embryo is now about 1/12" long, the size of a pencil point. It most closely resembles a worm - long and thin and with a segmented end. Its heart begins to beat about 18 to 21 days after conception. Before this time, the woman might have noticed that her menstrual period is late; she might suspect that she is pregnant and conduct a pregnancy test. About half of all pregnancies are unplanned. About half of unplanned pregnancies in the U.S. are terminated by an abortion.
	4 weeks: The embryo is now about 1/5" long. It looks something like a tadpole. The structure that will develop into a head is visible, as is a noticeable tail. The embryo has structures like the gills of a fish in the area that will later develop into a throat.
	5 weeks: Tiny arm and leg buds have formed. Hands with webs between the fingers have formed at the end of the arm buds. Fingerprints are detectable. The face "has a distinctly reptilian aspect." 1 "...the embryo still has a tail and cannot be distinguished from pig, rabbit, elephant, or chick embryo." 3
	6 weeks: The embryo is about 1/2" long. The face has two eyes on each side of its head; the front of the face has "connected slits where the mouth and nose eventually will be." 1
	7 weeks: The embryo has almost lost its tail. "The face is mammalian but somewhat pig-like." 1 Pain sensors appear. Many conservative Christians believe that the embryo can feel pain. However, the higher functions of the brain have yet to develop, and the pathways to transfer pain signals from the pain sensors to the brain are nto in place at this time.
	2 months: The embryo's face resembles that of a primate but is not fully human in appearance. Some of the brain begins to form; this is the primitive "reptilian brain" that will function throughout life. The embryo will respond to prodding, although it has no consciousness at this stage of development. The brain's higher functions do not develop until much later in pregnancy when the fetus becomes sentient.
	10 weeks: The embryo is now called a fetus. Its face looks human; its gender may be detectable via ultrasound.
	13 weeks or 3 months: The fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce. Fingernails and bones can be seen. Over 90% of all abortions are performed before this stage. 2,9
	17 weeks or 3.9 months: It is 8" long and weighs about a half pound. The fetus' movements may begin to be felt. Its heartbeat can usually be detected.
	22 weeks or 5 months: 12" long and weighing about a pound, the fetus has hair on its head. Its movements can be felt. An elective abortion is usually unavailable at this gestational age because of state and province medical society regulations, except under very unusual circumstances. Half-way through the 22nd week, the fetus' lungs may be developed to the point where it would have a miniscule chance to live on its own. State laws and medical association regulations generally outlaw almost all abortions beyond 20 or 21 weeks gestation. "A baby born during the 22nd week has a 14.8 percent chance of survival. And about half of these survivors are brain-damaged, either by lack of oxygen (from poor initial respiration) or too much oxygen (from the ventilator). Neonatologists predict that no baby will ever be viable before the 22nd week, because before then the lungs are not fully formed." 4 Of course, if someone develops an artificial womb, then this limit could change suddenly. Fetal survival rate:"Most babies at 22 weeks are not resuscitated because survival without major disability is so rare. A baby's chances for survival increases 3-4% per day between 23 and 24 weeks of gestation and about 2-3% per day between 24 and 26 weeks of gestation. After 26 weeks the rate of survival increases at a much slower rate because survival is high already." 5
	26 weeks or 6 months: The fetus 14" long and almost two pounds. The lungs' bronchioles develop. Interlinking of the brain's neurons begins. The higher functions of the fetal brain turn on for the first time. Some rudimentary brain waves indicating consciousness can be detected. The fetus will probably be able to feel pain for the first time. It has become conscious of its surroundings. The fetus has become a sentient human life for the first time. Some pro-choicers define this point as the beginning of human personhood.
	7 months: 16" long and weighing about three pounds. Regular brain waves are detectable which are similar to those in adults.
	8 months: 18" long and weighing about 5 pounds.
	9 months: 20" long and with an average weight of 7 pounds, a full-term fetus' is typically born about this time.

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Additional information:

	Francis Beckwith, "Is the unborn human less than human?," ChristianAnswers.net, at:http://www.christiananswers.net/
	"Life begins at conception," Cross Publications, at: http://jesuschristsavior.net/
	B.F. Miller, "The Complete Medical Guide", Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, (1967)
	Bbwpregnancy.com has a list of Internet resources on pregnancy development at:http://www.bbwpregnancy.com/
	The Visible Embryo is a remarkable web site. It shows the various stages of development from a fertilized egg to fully-formed fetus. See: http://www.visembryo.com/
	"The inside story" at StandUpGirl also shows fetal images, taken by 3-D ultrasound, 4-D ultrasound, and contact embryoscopy. See: http://www.standupgirl.com/ Caution: the web site is somewhat deceptive. They often show drawings and pictures of a fetus early in pregnancy, and add an unrelated comment that describes a viable fetus near the end of pregnancy.
	Religious and social conservatives generally believe that pregnancy begins at conception, whether achieved through sexual intercourse or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). In the latter case, conception is performed in a dish external to the woman's body. Typically, two dozen of the woman's ova are harvested, and fertilized in the lab. The three or four most vigorous pre-embryos are then selected and implanted in her uterus. The rest are discarded, exposed to die, or frozen for possible future use.

Reference used:

1. Carl Sagan, "Billions and Billions", Random House, New York NY (1997), Pages 163-179.
2. This ultrasound picture of a fetus at 2.8 month/12 week gestation was donated by a visitor to this web site.
3. C. George Boeree, "General Psychology: Prenatal development," at: http://www.ship.edu/
4. Franklin Foer, "Fetal Viability," The Gist, 1997-MAY-25, at: http://www.slate.com/
5. "Chances for Survival," University of Wisconsin Medical School, 2004-APR-22, at:http://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/
6. Lower image taken from Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Copyright 1997 to 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2011-NOV-27
Author: B.A. Robinson