When considering abortion, a big question many women ask is “when does my pregnancy become an actual baby?” It’s a very important question, and not one to be taken lightly.
When conception occurs, the result is a zygote that quickly becomes an embryo. As that embryo grows, she is called a fetus, and then when she is born, she is called a newborn, an infant, or a baby.
While these terms may seem a bit sterile and un-human in the beginning, their definitions are eye-opening.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, an embryo is defined as “a human offspring during the period from approximately the second to the eighth week after fertilization.” And a fetus is defined as “the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth.” Lastly, the definition for a toddler is “a child approximately 1 to 3 years old.”
From this, we can see that the terms “embryo” and “fetus” are used much in the same way that “baby,” “toddler,” and “teenager” are used: to describe what stage of life a person is in.
As to when a baby is truly a baby, we’ll look to science. According to the majority of biologists, in order for something to be alive, it needs to have the following characteristics:
- Cells – The fetus must have at least 1 cell. At the moment of conception, a fetus is made up of 1 cell and then grows to be made up of several cells (you are made up of trillions of cells even now).
- Metabolism – The fetus needs to have a metabolism – the ability to use energy and consume nutrients to sustain herself. By nature, a fetus is performing these functions as soon as fertilization takes place.
- Homeostasis – The fetus must maintain a consistent state of growth and being (aka temperature regulation, fluid balance, etc) despite her external circumstances. At conception and beyond, the fetus is growing and maintaining homeostasis in her environment.
- Growth – The fetus must consistently be growing in size and development. As soon as a fetus is conceived, she begins to grow and doesn’t stop until adulthood.
- Reproduction – The fetus must have the ability to reproduce or the ability to develop a reproductive system. For example, 5 year old girls cannot reproduce either, but that doesn’t mean they’re not alive. In the same way, a fetus will eventually develop the ability to reproduce as well.
- Response – The fetus should respond to stimuli. It’s been shown that a fetus responds to stimuli within 12 weeks. And although they don’t respond to stimuli earlier than that (though some may), doesn’t mean they’re not alive. A person in a coma doesn’t respond to stimuli, yet we would consider them alive. The important thing is that, unhindered, the fetus will eventually develop the ability to respond to stimuli.
So, by the time you realized you might be pregnant; your baby has been a baby. This is almost unfathomable. A new, unique, and distinct person is growing inside you. While this is incredible, we know it can also be terrifying.
But you’re not alone.
We at Woodbury Options for Women are here to help in any way we can. We offer free resources such as pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, parenting classes, material assistance, and more. We’re here for you, and we have trained advocates available to talk through your options in an understanding and non-judgemental way. We would love to walk right alongside you through your pregnancy, birth, and beyond – cheering you on and helping you in whatever way we can!
You can come see us even if you haven’t made any decisions yet. Bottom line, we’re here to support YOU, no matter what.
Beyond our own services, we have resources and referrals to several other organizations that are ready and willing to help you and your baby whether you choose to parent or to place your child in an adoptive home. And if you end up choosing abortion, we have resources to help with the aftermath of that decision as well*.
If you’d like to learn more, please give us a call at 651-340-9062 or fill out an appointment request online to schedule your free appointment today!
*Woodbury Options for Women does not perform or refer for abortions, but we do have referrals for post-abortive support if needed and/or requested.
References:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/intro-to-biology/what-is-biology/a/what-is-life?msclkid=a757cb9cd15611ecaf45e2fcbcc1d243
https://www.hli.org/resources/when-does-a-fetus-feel-pain/