A Voice for the Voiceless

I have heard the saying, “Ignorance is bliss,” more times than I can count. But, in the case of abortion, we cannot afford to be ignorant. It is time to educate ourselves and decide where we stand.

What would be the results if every woman considering abortion was told the truth about her baby’s development?  What if she could see her baby with an sonogram before making her decision?  The Woman’s Choice Network is a pro-life organization that helps women who are facing unplanned pregnancies and encourages them to choose life. In 2011, the network assisted more than 1,500 women. Of the 172 who saw their sonogram when considering abortion, 123 continued the pregnancy. The results are clear: Honest, straightforward facts save life.

The following is a list of just a few of the developmental milestones that are reached during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. From the moment of conception, growth and change happen at an incredible rate. This is the beginning of life.

• At 8 weeks everything is now present that will be found in a fully developed adult. The heart has been beating for almost a month, the stomach produces digestive juices and the kidneys have begun to function. Forty muscle sets begin to operate in conjunction with the nervous system. Amazingly the fetus’ body responds to touch.
• At 11 weeks the face has a baby’s profile. The fetus will curve it fingers around an object placed in its hand, can squint, swallow, and wrinkle its forehead. The fetus begins to sleep, awaken and exercise its muscles energetically – turning its head, curling its toes, and opening and closing the mouth.
• At 15 weeks fine hair is growing on its head, and sexual differentiation is apparent. The ears are functioning and there is evidence that the fetus hears quite a bit: the mother’s voice and heartbeat as well as external noises.
• At 22 weeks the baby is more than 12 inches long by now. The mother has definitely already begun to feel movement. All the parts in the brain are in place for the baby to experience pain. The baby can feel pain.
• At 24 weeks if the baby was born now and given the proper care, he would survive.
• At 28 weeks the baby now uses the four senses of vision, hearing, taste, and touch. He can recognize his mother’s voice.
• At 32 weeks the baby now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair, the skin is becoming soft and smooth as the baby plumps up in preparation for birth.
• At 40 weeks by this time the infant normally weighs 6 to 9 pounds, and the heart is pumping about 250 gallons of blood a day and is fully capable of life outside the womb.

Ignorance is no longer bliss. We need be a voice for the voiceless.