A fetus is a developing human being in the early stages of pregnancy. It is the term used to describe an unborn baby from the moment of conception until it is born. The term "fetus" is derived from the Latin word "fetus," which means "offspring."
During the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the developing baby is called an embryo. After this point, it is referred to as a fetus. A fetus grows and develops rapidly during the course of pregnancy, going through various stages of development before being born.
At the moment of conception, the fertilized egg contains all the genetic material needed to develop into a baby. This genetic material determines the baby's physical characteristics, such as hair and eye color, as well as its sex. As the fetus develops, it begins to take on physical form and function.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus is about the size of a grain of rice and is located in the uterus. The uterus is a muscular organ located in the lower abdomen of a woman that is responsible for nurturing and protecting the growing fetus.
As the fetus grows, it begins to develop all of the organs and systems that it will need to function as a fully developed human being. This includes the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the nervous system, and the digestive system.
Throughout pregnancy, the fetus receives nourishment and oxygen from the mother through the placenta. The placenta is a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy and is responsible for exchanging nutrients and waste between the mother and the fetus.
The process of pregnancy and fetal development is an amazing and complex one. It is a time of great change and growth for both the mother and the developing baby. While there can be challenges and risks associated with pregnancy, the vast majority of women who experience a healthy pregnancy will give birth to a healthy baby.
Fetal development: The 1st trimester
And lastly, why is the unborn looked upon as less because they are dependent on the woman? Your doctor may recommend you start taking prenatal vitamins, omega-3s, and fish oil. Rights © Arizona Board of Regents Licensed as Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3. At this point, the fetus really starts to flourish. If born prematurely, your baby would be likely to survive after the seventh month. In that case, people dependent on certain medication should also not be valued and killed off. While nine months may not seem like a long time, a fetus goes through major changes during that time.
When Can a Fetus Feel Pain in the Womb?
Retrieved 6 March 2015. The reason for this is not to have a debate between pro-life and pro-choice, but rather to ask you to give these children an opportunity to live life. By ceasing to be an embryo, the fetus has the ability to withstand the damage that drugs, alcohol, some drugs, nutritional deficit or infections of the mother can cause, among other things. This hormone is created by the cells that form the placenta food source for the growing fetus. Estimating fetal age: Computer-assisted analysis of multiple fetal growth parameters.
Is a Fetus Really a Person?
Indeed, explicitly employing the terms of American property law, abortion-rights supporters often liken the unwelcome fetus to a Pro-lifers sometimes respond in a way that accepts, rather than But abortion is not just like killing your toddler, just as restricting abortion is not just like enforcing bone marrow donations. The meanings are abstract. At this point, the endometrium becomes thicker and the cervix the opening between your uterus and birth canal is sealed by a plug of mucus. Why does their location make them valuable? The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, p. The reproductive organs and genitalia are now fully developed, and your doctor can see on By the end of the fourth month, the fetus is about 6 inches long and weighs about 4 ounces.
Embryo vs. Fetus: What’s the Difference?
Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university. Now, I ask of you to please reconsider your stance on abortion, if you are pro-choice. Early on, their sex organs are developing, their bones are getting stronger, and fat is starting to accumulate on their body. All the organs and limbs extremities are present and will continue to develop in order to become functional. Then, we look at the level of development of the unborn to that of the born.
Are fetuses human beings?
When it comes to whether or not a fetus feels pain or emotions, facts shouldn't be ignored. In 2005, Scott Peterson was sentenced to death for the double murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn child, Connor. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2015. Blue NR et al. From the moment of conception, the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin hCG will be present in your blood.
