FOR BABIES AND UNBORN CHILDREN

FOR BABIES AND UNBORN CHILDREN SIMBAHAYAN SA MAYNILA presents LIFE BEFORE BIRTH: THE FIRST TRIMESTER

CHROMOSOMESare tiny threadlike structures composed of nucleic acids and proteins (chromatin), found in all plant and animal cells. The chromosome contains the nucleic acid DNA, which in turn is divided into smaller units of inheritance called "genes". The genes determine the hereditary characteristics, such as color and size, of the cell or organism.

DNA(deoxyribonucleic acid)This molecule is the genetic blueprint for each cell and ultimately the blueprint that determines every biological characteristic of a living organism. In most cellular organisms, DNA is organized in chromosomes located in the nucleus of the cell. The DNA set of every naturally born organism is unique, unless it is "cloned".

THE OVUM The ovum is the female reproductive cell that is meant to unite with its male counterpart, the sperm cell, in the process of fertilization. It is produced in a woman's ovaries.

THE SPERMis the male sexual reproductive cell that fuses with the ovum in the process of fertilization. Each sperm contains the husband's genetic information to be contributed during fertilization. It also initiates the development of the ovum. A sperm may be only 1/195,000 the size of an ovum but has a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Let marriagebe held in honorby all ... ... and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. (Hebrews 13:4) True love waits, so . . . SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE ! . . . and never poison the bride !

DAY 1 An ovum surrounded by sperm. Only the best 50 to 100 may be able to reach the ovum. Of these, only one can penetrate the ovum to deliver the other half of the chromosomes need-ed to complete a human cell. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (Jer 1:5)

CONCEPTION Fertilizationbegins when a sperm successfully penetrates the outer layer of the ovum. Conception is that stage of the fertiliza-tion process wherein the 23 chromosomes of the sperm pair off with the 23 chro-mosomes of the ovum. At this crucial moment, it is certain that at least one new human being has been created! I also am mortal, like everyone else, a descendant of the first-formed child of earth; and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh, within the period of ten months, compacted with blood, from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage. (Wis 7:1-2)

Cell Division What biologists call a human fertilized ovum is also in fact a human being with a single-celled body. Thirty hours after conception, this basic human body quickly begins to divide into two and keeps on duplicating, growing at a very fast rate. In the first two weeks of rapid cell division, biologists call this new human being a "zygote". Imagine that! Once upon a time, you were a zygote!

Cell Division When the first duplication or "mitosis" is complete, the result is a human being with a two-celled body -- a body which will double rapidly to become 4, 8, 16, 32 cells and so on in the weeks that lay ahead. Every resulting cell contains a complete set of the original 46 chromosomes from the sperm and ovum. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.(Ps 139:11-12)

DAY 3-4 This human being is no longer just a fertilized ovum or zygote. Biologists call the daughter cells of the zygote "blastomeres". While it keeps on duplicating, the fertilized egg is brushed by hairlike cilia and journeys down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where the soft lining has been prepared for its arrival and implantation. Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey successful; let me go that I may go to my master.(Gen 24:56)

DAYS 5-9: IMPLANTATION

DAY 10-14 During this second week, the placenta begins to form, nourishing a developing baby now composed of the three primary types of tissue: endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm. Up to now, the mother has no reason to suspect that she is pregnant. By the time she misses her period, the baby would have been alive for at least two weeks (about four weeks after the first day of her last normal period). After the first two weeks, biologists call the new human being an "embryo". Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:41-42)

DAY 21-23 The third week sees the formation of the neural tube, precursor to the central nervous system;muscle tissue from which major organs and glands will arise;blood vessels;beginnings of the digestive cavity. On the 21st day, another tube folds on itself and develops into a basic tubular heart which begins to undulate. Although the embryo does not appear to be human, the humanity of this living organism was complete since Day 1. This human embryo is now about 1/16 of an inch.

DAY 28 WEEK 4 By the end of the first month, the human embryo has a head and a trunk and all major organs have begun their development. Structures that will be-come arms and legs, called limb buds, begin to appear. The heart which had been beating since the 21st day now has four chambers. The backbone and musclesare forming. Eyes and ears have begun to show. This human embryo is about one-sixth (1/6) of an inch long.

DAY 34-36 WEEK 5 At one month old, the baby is 10,000 times larger than the original fertilized egg and is developing rapidly. The heart is pumping increasing quantities of blood through the circulatory system. The placenta forms a unique barrier that keeps the mother's blood separate while allowing food and oxygen to pass through to her baby.

DAY 40-42 WEEK 6 At 1/2 inches long, electrical activity begins in the develop-ing brain and nervous system. The fingers begin to develop and the human embryo has nostrils. The eyes darken as pigment is produced. The liver is now taking over the production of blood cells, and the brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs. The heart has four chambers and is beating rapidly. The mother is about to miss her second period and has probably confirmed that she is pregnant.

DAY 44-46 WEEK 7 Soon the eyelids will seal to protect the baby during this light-sensitive month. At this time, gonads begin the production of the sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen. In the next weeks, the calibration of these hormones will cause the brain to be wired as masculine or feminine. The baby begins to move spon-taneously. The jaw forms, in-cluding teeth buds in the gums.

WEEK 8 This baby already has ears, fingers, and toes. Everything is now present that will be found in a developed adult. The heart has been beating for more than a month, the stomach produces digestive juices and the kidneys have begun functioning. Forty muscle sets begin to operate in conjunction with the nervous system. The baby's body responds to touch. The baby is about one and one-fifth (1 1/5) inches long. The head is about half that length. From the eighth week onward, doctors call the unborn baby a "fetus" -- Latin for "young one" or "offspring".

WEEK 9 2 MONTHS For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.(Ps 139:13-15) Fingerprints are already evident in the skin. The young one will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand.

WEEK 10 The baby is about two and one-half (2 1/2) inches from head to rump. It has doubled in size since Week 7. The fingernails are developing. Between 8 and 10 weeks, the baby begins small, random movements, though they are too slight to be felt yet. The baby’s heartbeat can be detected electronically. The mother’s womb has now doubled in size. The baby can squint, swallow and wrinkle its forehead. Thus says the LORD, your Redeem-er, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heav-ens, who by myself spread out the earth ...(Is 44:24)

WEEK 11 At this time, the baby is about 2 3/4 inches long. The baby’s face has assumed a more humanlike profile, and muscle movements are becoming more coordinated, and he (or she) begins to pee. The “little feet” are the symbol of the Pro-Life movement. As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”(Rom 10:15)

WEEK 12 The baby is able to swallow, and the kidneys are able to make urine. In the 11th or 12th week the external genitals become evident. Blood begins to form in the bone marrow. The baby now sleeps, awakens and exercises its muscles -- energetically turning its head, curling its toes, and opening and closing its mouth. The palm, when stroked, will make a tight fist. The baby breathes amniotic fluid to help develop its respiratory system. The baby is about three and one-half (3 1/2) inches from head to rump.

WEEK 14 Fine hair has begun to grow on the head, and sexual differentiation has become apparent. The young one is about four and three-fourths (4 3/4) inches from head to rump. The head is erect and the legs are developed. Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. (Is 49:1)

This is a child, This baby would not have been alive if I had not given it life. not a “choice” It is my Father who plans families; your choice is to obey his plan … or not. For this reason, bow your knees before my Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. [ Ref: Ephesians 3:14-15 ]

Will you help me build a CIVILIZATION OF LIFE ? I am counting on YOU.

This slide presentation may downloaded from the internet atwww.simbahayan.org/download/LLB-1trim.ppt An internet version of this presentation is available atwww.simbahayan.org/LLB-1trim.html The Simbahayan Commissionis the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila’s Commission on Marriage and Family Life LayForce, San Carlos ComplexEDSA-Guadalupe, Makati City Tel 895-9874; Fax 896-0584, E-mail servants@simbahayan.orgURL http://www.simbahayan.org

FOR BABIES AND UNBORN CHILDREN