1. Early Life

2. DISCUSS with your partner-
Abortion
Aim:
To explore the development of a foetus and consider my own opinion on when life begins.
STARTER:
DISCUSS with your partner-
Q – If all life is sacred, does this apply if the babies life has not ‘begun’ because it is not yet born?

3. WARNING!
This term we will be looking at the issue of abortion and the issues surrounding it.
Abortion provokes very strong views from people which you may not agree with however, all opinions will be respected by everyone.
You must also remember that you do not know all the issues that are going on in people’s lives so if you do have an opinion try not to offend anyone.
If any of the issues we come across do effect you, there are people for you to talk to.

4. When does life begin?

5. Complete the ‘Timeline’ worksheet as we go through
12 Weeks
1 6 Weeks
2 Weeks
20 Weeks
24 Weeks
34 Weeks
37 Weeks
21 Weeks
Conception
6 Weeks
14 Weeks
18 Weeks
30 Weeks
36 weeks
40 Weeks -
Birth

6. Conception DAY 1 The sperm and ovum join. The cell is smaller
than a grain of salt,
but has all 46
chromosomes, a
complete genetic
blueprint.
DAYS 3-4
The fertilised egg
travels towards the
uterus through the
fallopian tube.
Cells divide.

7. 2 weeks DAYS 10-14 The embryo releases chemicals and
hormones that prevent
the mother from
Menstruating (having a
period).

8. DAY 20
Foundations of the
brain, spinal cord and
central nervous system
are already established.

9. 3 weeks
DAY 21
The heart
begins
to beat.

10. 5 weeks
DAY 35
Fingers and toes have
formed. Blood is now
pumping.

12. 6 weeks DAY 40 Brain waves are detectable and recordable. Nostrils
have
formed.

14. 7 weeks DAY 28 Limbs and muscles begin to show. The
spine starts forming.
Eyes, ears and nose
have started to form.

16. 8 weeks / 2 months 8 weeks It is now termed
a foetus. It contains everything that a fully grown human being has.
The foetus is touch sensitive.

17. 8 weeks

18. 9 weeks The foetus has fingerprints and can move its hands.
The baby has begun
movement (used
to be known as
‘quickening’.

19. 10 weeks
The foetus can squint,
swallow and wrinkle
its forehead.

21. 11 weeks The foetus can now urinate and make facial expressions.
Hair and nails have started to grow.

22. 12 weeks The foetus sleeps and awakens and moves
its muscles. Ears shift
to the side of the head.

23. 13 weeks Hair has begun to grow and sexual differentiation is
apparent.

24. 15 weeks

26. 16 weeks / 4 months The mother has started to show. The foetus
can hear.
Weighs the
same as a
letter.

27. 18 weeks

28. 19 weeks

29. 20 weeks / 5 months
The foetus responds to sound and the mother can feel movement.
Half way through the
pregnancy.

30. 21 weeks weeks

31. A premature baby born at 22 weeks

32. Legal Limit / Cut off period for which abortion is allowed
6 months / 24 weeks
24 Weeks –
Legal Limit / Cut off period for which abortion is allowed

33. 25 weeks 27 weeks

34. 7 months The baby can use four of its five senses
and can recognize its
mothers voice

35. 9 months The baby is now fully capable of living outside the womb.
Birth usually
occurs
between
266 and
294 days

36. So, When does life begin?

37. Development of a foetus
2 weeks (14 days) Eyes, ears & nose are forming
2.5 weeks (18 days) Heart starts beating
4 weeks (28 days) The sex organs have begun to develop
5 weeks (35 days) The baby’s nervous system is developed
6 weeks (42 days) Brain waves can be measured
8 weeks (56 days) All organs present & functioning
12 weeks (84 days) The brain is fully formed
13 weeks (91 days) Hair begins to grow
17 weeks (120 days) Ensoulment takes places (Muslim Belief)
20 weeks (140 days) The foetus could possibly survive if born
40 weeks (280 days) The normal length of a pregnancy

38. Complete the
'when does life begin'
worksheet

39. Abortion: the Definition.
The Medical Dictionary Definition - COPY
Abortion: In medicine, an abortion is the premature exit of the products of conception (the foetus, foetal membranes, and placenta) from the uterus.

40. Does life begin at the same time for animals too?

41. What would a foetus pray for?
I am not yet born.
Console me.
I fear that the human race may
With tall walls, wall me
With strong drugs, dope me
With wise lies, lure me
On black racks, rack me
In blood baths, roll me
I am not yet born. Provide me
With water to dandle me
Grass to grow for me
Trees to talk to me
Birds and a white light
in the back of my mind to guide me
I am not yet born
Forgive me.
Extract from ‘Prayer before birth’ by Louis MacNeice

42. What would a foetus pray for?
Using the ‘Prayer before Birth’ – think about the FEARS and HOPES an unborn baby may have…
Write the fears and hopes for an unborn baby into a poem

43. They will be used for display
HOMEWORK
What would a foetus pray for?
Write fears and hopes for an unborn baby into a poem up NEAT into the outline of a foetus sheet
Use different coloured pencils.
They will be used for display

44. Listen to this song…..
Isn't she lovely. Isn't she wonderful. Isn't she precious. Less than one minute old. I never thought through love we'd be Making one as lovely as she. But isn't she lovely made from love.
Isn't she pretty Truly the angel's best Boy, I'm so happy We have been heaven blessed I can't believe what God has done Through us he's given life to one But isn't she lovely made from love
Isn't she lovely Life and love are the same Life is Aisha The meaning of her name Londie, it could have not been done Without you who conceived the one That's so very lovely made from love