Messages

Materials for pastoral outreach and education, so that people may learn about the development of the unborn child.


WEEK OF December 23 (Fourtieth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week celebrate Christmas, and the birth of “Baby Chris,” whose development they have been tracing for us for the last nine months, since March 25th (see www.BabyChris.org).

Developmental facts and striking images and video have been provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.

We invite all those who have made this journey to continue to study and spread the knowledge of the development that each of us underwent in the womb, and to advocate for the humanity and protection of these, our youngest brothers and sisters!


WEEK OF December 23 (Fourtieth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now ready for birth, and to start breathing air.



WEEK OF December 16 (Thirty-Ninth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 38 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF December 16 (Thirty-Ninth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 38 weeks old, since fertilization, is 20 inches long and weighs 7-1/2 pounds.

The heart has beat nearly 54 million times!

The baby is now the size of a fully grown newborn!

The baby’s thighs are about three inches long.



WEEK OF December 9 (Thirty-Eighth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 37 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF December 9 (Thirty-Eighth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 37 weeks old, since fertilization, is 20 inches long and weighs 7 pounds.

The heart has beat 52 and a half million times!

Breathing motions now occur about 70% of the time.

The baby’s foot is now about three inches long.

The baby sometimes drinks some 15 oz of amniotic fluid each day.


WEEK OF December 2 (Thirty-Seventh Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 36 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF December 2 (Thirty-Seventh week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 36 weeks old, since fertilization, is 19 inches long and weighs 6-1/2 pounds.

The heart has beat over 51 million times!

The baby’s head is the size of a large red pepper

The baby’s belly is finally as big around as the head.

The brain weighs a little less than ¾ of a pound.

The baby’s feet are about 2-3/4 inches long, and are now 35 times the length they were at 7 weeks.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25 (Thirty-Sixth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 35 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25 (Thirty-Sixth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 35 weeks old, since fertilization, is 19 inches long and weighs 6-1/4 pounds.

The heart has beat 49.7 million times!

The baby now has a firm hand grasp.

The volume of amniotic fluid peaks at this point.



WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18 (Thirty-Fifth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 34 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18 (Thirty-Fifth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 34 weeks old, since fertilization, is 18 inches long and weighs 5-3/4 pounds.

The heart has beat over 48 million times!

The baby’s head is the size of a pomegranate.

In these last weeks of pregnancy, the hallmark of the baby’s growth is a steady gain in weight.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11 (Thirty-Fourth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 33 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11 (Thirty-Fourth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 33 weeks old, since fertilization, is 18 inches long and weighs 5 -1/2 pounds.

The heart has beat 46.8 million times!

The baby’s head is the size of a large pink grapefruit.

After birth, children will often show a preference for the sounds that they hear during these last weeks of pregnancy, such as Mom’s voice or certain music.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4 (Thirty-Third Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 32 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.
Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4 (Thirty-Third week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 32 weeks old, since fertilization, is 18 inches long and weighs 4-3/4 pounds.

The heart has beat over 45 million times!

The baby is the size of a pineapple, with the stalk.

The baby’s lungs now produce “air pocket” cells and will continue to do so until 8 years of age.

Based on limited testing, newborns seem to prefer foods that mom eats during the last weeks of pregnancy. This and other evidence indicates that learning and memory formation begin before birth.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 28 (Thirty-Second Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 31 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 28 (Thirty-Second week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 31 weeks old, since fertilization, is 17 inches long and weighs 4 -1/2pounds.

The heart has beat nearly 44 million times!

The baby’s head is now the size of a pink grapefruit, and just the brain weighs a little less than half a pound.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 21 (Thirty-First Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 30 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 21 (Thirty-First week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 30 weeks old, since fertilization, is 17 inches long and weighs 4 pounds.

The heart has beat over 42 million times!

The baby’s feet now measure around 2-1/2 inches and are now 30 times their length at 7 weeks!

Breathing motions are increasingly common (even though there’s no air in the womb). These motions are necessary for normal chest and lung development.

All the filtration units that the kidneys will use throughout life have now been developed.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 14 (Thirtieth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 29 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 14 (Thirtieth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 29 weeks old, since fertilization, is 16 inches long and weighs 3 and 3/4 pounds.

The heart has beat almost 41 million times!

Fat is storing under the skin, and wrinkles are disappearing. The fat helps the baby maintain body temperature after birth and is an important source of stored energy.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 7 (Twenty-Ninth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 28 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life. Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF OCTOBER 7 (Twenty-Ninth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 28 weeks old, since fertilization, is 16 inches long and weighs 3 and 1/4 pounds.

The heart has beat over 39 million times!

Breathing motions are getting deeper and lasting longer.

The baby can distinguish between high and low frequency sounds.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 30 (Twenty-Eighth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 27 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 30 (Twenty-Eighth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 27 weeks old, since fertilization, is 15 inches long and weighs 3 pounds.

The heart has beat nearly 38 million times!

The baby’s head is about the size of a softball.

The pupils of the eyes react to light, just like newborns and older children.

The body weight will typically more than double from now until birth.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23 (Twenty-Seventh Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 26 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23 (Twenty-Seventh week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 26 weeks old, since fertilization, is 15 inches in length and weighs 2 and ¾ pounds.

The heart has beat over 36 million times.

The baby now has functioning senses of smell and taste!

Eyes can produce tears!

The baby’s feet are now around 2 inches, and are 25 times their length at 7 weeks.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16 (Twenty-Sixth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 25 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.

Survival rates for babies born at this stage are significantly high.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16 (Twenty-Sixth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 25 weeks old, since fertilization, is 14 inches in length and weighs 2 and ¼ pounds. The heart has beat almost 35 million times.

Eyes can detect low light and see in color.

Thigh bones are about two inches long.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9 (Twenty-Fifth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org), now 24 weeks old. This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.
Survival rates continue to increase for babies born prematurely at this stage.
Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9 (Twenty-Fifth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 24 weeks old, since fertilization, is 14 inches and weighs 1 and ¾ pounds.

The baby’s heart has beat over 33 million times.

Sometimes breathing motions occur up to 44 times per minute.

Sudden, loud noises trigger a blink-startle response, and may cause the baby to have increased heart rate, excessive swallowing, and prolonged active movement.

The lungs are now producing a substance vital for breathing after birth.


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2 (Twenty-Fourth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org). This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Survival rates continue to increase for babies born prematurely at this stage.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.



WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2 (Twenty-Fourth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 23 weeks old, since fertilization, weighs 1 and a half pounds, and is 13 inches in length.

The heart has beat over 31.7 million times.

Breathing motions are now seen around 14% of the time.

Survival rates are increasingly good if the baby is born at this time.


WEEK OF AUGUST 26 (Twenty-Third Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org). This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Survival rates continue to increase for babies born prematurely at this stage.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF AUGUST 26 (Twenty-Third week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 22 weeks old, since fertilization, weighs 1 and a quarter pounds, and is 12 inches in length.

The baby’s heart has beat over 30 million times.

All skin layers are present by this time, and hair is beginning to grow on the scalp.

Survival rates continue to increase for babies born prematurely at this stage.


WEEK OF AUGUST 19 (Twenty-Second Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org). This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Survival rates continue to increase for babies born prematurely at this stage.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF AUGUST 19 (Twenty-Second week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 21 weeks old, since fertilization, weighs just over a pound, and is one foot in length.

If born prematurely, babies at this stage can often survive, with the right care.

Rapid eye movements occur periodically, closely resembling the eye motions seen in children and adults during sleep.


WEEK OF AUGUST 12 (Twenty-First Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org). This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Baby Chris now turns 20 weeks old since fertilization, and we are entering the point at which success rates begin to climb for keeping children alive if they are born prematurely.

Moreover, scientific consensus is that at this stage, the baby can certainly feel pain.

Find more developmental facts and striking images and video at BabyChris.org, along with a prayer and social media tools.


WEEK OF AUGUST 12 (Twenty-First week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 20 weeks old since fertilization, and is 11 inches, and weighs 14 oz.

If born prematurely at this stage, specialized centers have been able to help the baby survive!

Scientific consensus is that by this time the baby can certainly feel pain.

The baby’s heart has beat over 27 million times.

The baby’s belly is the size of a lime, and the head is the size of a tennis ball.

The inner ear is already fully developed and is adult-size! Hearing begins now and the baby responds to sound.

All skin layers and structures are complete.

The baby’s eyelids, which fused together earlier in development, now separate, and the eyes open and close.

The baby’s feet are now 20 times the length they were at 7 weeks!


WEEK OF AUGUST 5 (Twentieth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby is now 11 inches in size; the head is the size of a small lemon.

The baby’s heart has beat over 25.5 million times!

Girls’ ovaries now contain their lifetime supply of eggs!

Melanin begins forming and helps create a wide variety of attractive skin tones.

Movement, breathing, and heart rate begin following daily rhythms.


WEEK OF AUGUST 5 (Twentieth Week of Development)
Messages

National pro-life groups continue this week to follow the development of “Baby Chris” (see www.BabyChris.org). This project enables people to learn about – and see – the development that every human being undergoes in these first nine months of life.

Developmental facts and striking images and video are provided each week, along with a prayer and social media tools.

At this stage the unborn child’s heart has already beat 25.5 million times, and movement, breathing, and heart rate begin following daily rhythms.


WEEK OF JULY 29 (Nineteenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 18 weeks of life since fertilization.

The baby’s heart has beat nearly 24 million times! And as has been the case for months now, anyone seeing the video of this developing baby is going to immediately recognize his or her humanity.

For developmental facts, images and video, as well as prayers and social media posts, go to www.BabyChris.org.


WEEK OF JULY 29 (Nineteenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby’s heart has beat almost 24 million times!

The baby’s head is the size of a kiwi.

Sweat glands have arrived.

Certain motions inside the voice box (larynx) are similar to those seen when babies talk after birth.

A greasy white substance (vernix caseosa) helps protect the baby’s skin from the irritating effects of the amniotic fluid.


WEEK OF JULY 22 (Eighteenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 17 weeks of life since fertilization.

The size of a pineapple at this stage, children like Baby Chris are still often regarded as less than human, and at this stage, the horrifying procedures of dismemberment abortion are carried out on some of these children.

Various states, as well as the United States Congress, have taken steps to protect such children from dismemberment, but these legal efforts only have partial success so far. Knowing more about the development of the baby at this stage – and spreading that knowledge – can help strengthen the efforts to protect them.



WEEK OF JULY 22 (Eighteenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby’s heart has now beat over 22 million times!

The baby is now the size of a pineapple! (without the stalk)

The baby’s head is about as big around as the average woman’s wrist.



WEEK OF JULY 15 (Seventeenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 16 weeks of life since fertilization.

One of the striking facts of development at this age is that if the baby is poked with a needle, s/he will release stress hormones. Babies, of course, cannot say “Ouch!” when something hurts. But what the voice can’t express, the body expresses in other ways, including hormones.

When we know babies can feel things, this creates yet another level of bonding with them, in the common human experiences we all have.

Let’s follow the development of the child at BabyChris.org, where you will find more facts, stunning photos and video, and prayer resources.


WEEK OF JULY 15 (Seventeenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby’s head is the size of a large brussel sprout.

The baby’s heart has beat over 20 million times!

Enamel now begins forming on the developing teeth.

All air passages within the lungs are well formed.

If poked with a needle, babies at this age will release stress hormones.

The baby’s feet are now 15 times the length they were at 7 weeks!



WEEK OF JULY 8 (Sixteenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 15 weeks of life since fertilization.

The body is performing more and more tasks, which will last throughout life. Truly the life in the womb and that outside the womb is the same living human being!

The scientific facts about this week of development, along with stunning photos and videos for this stage of development, can be found at BabyChris.org.


WEEK OF JULY 8 (Sixteenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby’s thigh is as long as a cherry tomato!

The baby’s heart has beat more than 19 million times!

The baby has digestive enzymes that can break down the nutrients swallowed along with the amniotic fluid.

Blood cells begin replicating inside the bone marrow, just like in older children!

The baby’s head is bigger than a golf ball, and the baby’s foot is now about one inch long.

Fat cells emerge throughout the body.



WEEK OF JULY 1 (Fifteenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 14 weeks of life since fertilization.

Mom may start to feel the baby kicking. The baby has been moving already, but now is reaching a size where mom feels it.

Other scientific facts, along with stunning photos and videos for this stage of development, can be found at BabyChris.org.


WEEK OF JULY 1 (Fifteenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
Baby Chris is now the size of a mango, measures 6.7 inches and weighs 3.5 ounces. The baby’s heart has beat well over 17 million times already.

For unknown reasons, around this time scientists have observed that baby girls move their jaws significantly more often than baby boys.

Mom may begin to feel her baby kicking inside her at this point in time. This phenomenon is known as “quickening.” As we know from what we’ve seen so far, Baby Chris has been moving around for a long time already, but has been too small for mom to feel those movements yet. So this is not the time that the baby starts moving, but only the time that Mom may start feeling it.



WEEK OF JUNE 24 (Fourteenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 13 weeks of life since fertilization, and continues to grow in every way. Baby Chris is responsive to light touch. The developmental facts, photos and videos of the baby continue to help us connect with the humanity of every unborn child!


WEEK OF JUNE 24 (Fourteenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The second trimester of pregnancy begins at 13 weeks. Between 13 and 15 weeks, the four lobes of the cerebral cortex have developed. The face continues to mature: the nasal plugs disappear, fat deposits fill out the cheeks and tooth development begins.

Growth of the lining of the large airways is well underway with cilia appearing for the first time at 13 weeks. Cilia are tiny hair-like projections extending from cells lining the airway. They serve to trap and move mucous and debris toward the throat. Cilia provide an important defense against foreign material and some infections. Mature cells lining the airways will have approximately 200 cilia each.

From a teething toddler to a child losing her baby teeth, our teeth go through many stages – the first of which starts in the womb where tooth development begins by 13 weeks.

The baby’s feet are now ten times the length they were at 7 weeks!

The baby’s entire body, except for parts of the scalp, responds to light touch.



WEEK OF JUNE 17 (Thirteenth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 12 weeks of life since fertilization, and has completed the first trimester of pregnancy. Our links and resources at BabyChris.org continue to provide not only developmental facts, but stunning photos and videos.


WEEK OF JUNE 17 (Thirteenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The first trimester of pregnancy is now completed.

Weight increased by 60% during the past week.

There are taste buds all over the mouth.

Hands touch the mouth as many as 50 times per hour.

By 12 weeks, the arms have grown to approximate their final proportion relative to body size.

The whole body surface, except the top of the head and the back, responds to light touch.

Bowel movements begin as early as 12 weeks. The material first expelled from the fetal and newborn colon is called meconium (mĭ-kō'nē-ŭm). It is composed of digestive enzymes, proteins, and dead cells shed by the digestive tract.

The bladder now contains cells organized in patterns and resembling smooth muscle.


WEEK OF JUNE 10 (Twelfth Week of Development)
Messages

Please join national pro-life groups in tracing the development of the unborn child. “Baby Chris” has now reached 11 weeks of life since fertilization. Our links and resources at BabyChris.org continue to provide not only developmental facts, but stunning photos and videos.

At the end of this week, the first trimester of pregnancy is completed, and it is a good time to review all the amazing developmental milestones that the unborn child has reached.


WEEK OF JUNE 10 (Twelfth week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby can now make complex facial expressions.

Between 11 and 12 weeks, a second huge burst of growth occurs as weight increases by roughly 58 percent. 12 weeks also marks the end of the first trimester of pregnancy.

The nose and lips are completely formed.

Look inside and you can tell if you’re having a boy or girl.

The taste bud cells that appeared by 7 weeks have matured into discrete taste buds, but are still scattered throughout the mouth. By birth, the taste buds will be confined to the tongue and palate or roof of the mouth.


WEEK OF JUNE 3 (Eleventh Week of Development)
Messages

We are each unique

We continue to follow the development of Baby Chris (BabyChris.org) this week, after he has just turned ten weeks old.

This is the age when the baby’s feet are like the “Precious Feet” pin depicts.

We also learn that the unique fingerprints are now forming. Throughout life, the fingerprints of each of us are used to identify us in a unique, individual, definitive way. The crime shows constantly remind us about fingerprint evidence. Computers and iPhones use the unique fingerprint of the user to unlock the devices.

And here, at just ten weeks old, Baby Chris, and every baby in the womb, are getting their fingerprints!


WEEK OF JUNE 3 (Eleventh week of development)
Developmental Facts
The baby at this stage is the size of a purple top turnip.

The baby’s body weight has increased more than 75% just this week!

Bones are hardening throughout the body.

Fingernails and toenails begin to grow!

The right and left sides of the brain are connecting.

Unique fingerprints begin forming.

Lightly touching one of the upper eyelids causes both eyes to roll downward.

Ten Week Image:

9 Weeks Download larger images: [Landscape] or [Portrait].


WEEK OF MAY 27 (Tenth Week of Development)
Messages

We continue to follow the development of Baby Chris (BabyChris.org) who is now called a “fetus”. The developmental facts about the baby at this age – having just turned nine weeks old on May 27th – as well as the video footage of the baby, are very striking.

In particular, we think about the baby’s response to touch. If a light and gentle touch can make the baby respond, what must babies who are aborted experience?


WEEK OF MAY 27 (Tenth week of development)
Developmental Facts
On Monday, The baby is the size of a small tomato.

The face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet now sense and respond to light touch.

The mouth opens and closes, and the tongue moves.

Swallowing amniotic fluid begins.

The baby sighs, stretches, and moves the head.

Baby girls have early reproductive cells in their ovaries.

Thumb sucking begins.

Grasping objects begins.

If touched near the mouth, the face now turns toward the side touched.

Yawning begins.

Vocal cords are developing.

Ninth Week Image:

9 Weeks Download larger images: [Landscape] or [Portrait].


WEEK OF MAY 20 (Ninth Week of Development)
Messages

For eight weeks now, we have traced the development of Baby Chris from fertilization to the point now where the baby has all bodily systems in place.

And during all this time, Baby Chris has, in scientific terms, been called an “embryo.”

An embryo, whose heart beats, whose hands and feet have been visible, and who moves around.

An embryo, who joins his/her hands together and whose heart has beat some 7 million times.

So many people, when they hear the word “embryo,” imagine something that is unformed, a microscopic mass of tissue.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and the videos of Baby Chris at this stage are the most powerful way to show exactly who this baby is.


WEEK OF MAY 20 (Ninth week of development)
Developmental Facts
On Monday, May 20th, Baby Chris is 8 weeks old, and, in embryological terms, now begins to be called a “fetus” rather than an “embryo.”

The baby’s heart has already beat over 7 million times.

Baby Chris is now the size of a cherry tomato, has more than 4000 body parts routinely found in newborns and adults, and possesses about 1 billion specialized cells, forming nearly all components of all body systems!

Baby Chris is beginning to perform occasional breathing motions.

The eyelids begin to fuse together and completely cover the eyes.

Eight Week Image:

8 Weeks Download larger images: [Landscape] or [Portrait].


WEEK OF MAY 13 (Eighth week of development)
Messages

On May 13th, Baby Chris turns 7 weeks old, and enters the final week of being an “embryo.” At the end of this week, the “fetal” period will begin.

Baby Chris, by that time, will have all organ systems present and accounted for!

Some of the most striking video of the developing baby can be seen at this time, during this and the next few weeks of development.



WEEK OF MAY 13 (Eighth week of development)
Developmental Facts
From 7 to 7½ weeks, tendons attach leg muscles to bones, and knee joints appear.

Also by 7½ weeks, the hands can be brought together, as can the feet.

The embryo also kicks, and will jump if startled.

Also by 7 to 7½ weeks, nephrons, the basic filtration units in the kidneys, begin to form.

Seven Week Image:

7 Weeks Download larger images: [Landscape] or [Portrait].


WEEK OF MAY 6 (Seventh week of development)
Messages

We continue to track the development of Baby Chris in the womb, at BabyChris.org.

On May 6, Baby Chris turns six weeks old. During this week, we will be able to start detecting Baby Chris’s brain waves!

And the vesicles in Baby Chris’s brain will double in size!

By the conclusion of the week, cell groupings resembling taste buds appear on the tongue and hiccups begin.

Follow with us the marvelous development of this baby and pray for the protection of all babies in the womb!



WEEK OF MAY 6 (Seventh week of development)
Developmental Facts
Along with the facts mentioned in this week’s message, listen to this sound of the heartbeat of the baby at six weeks of development.


WEEK OF APRIL 29 (Sixth week of development)
Messages

We continue to track the development of Baby Chris in the womb, at BabyChris.org.

On April 29, Baby Chris turns five weeks old. The baby’s first movements will occur during this week. The baby’s cartilage begins to form during this week as well.

Images and video of the baby at this stage can be seen in our resources, through the process of embryoscopy.

Follow with us the marvelous development of this baby and pray for the protection of all babies in the womb!



WEEK OF APRIL 29 (Sixth week of development)
Developmental Facts
Developmental Facts

Though a pregnant woman does not feel movement for at least another 8 to 10 weeks, the embryo begins to move between 5 and 6 weeks. The embryo’s first movements are both spontaneous and reflexive. A light touch to the mouth area causes the embryo to reflexively withdraw its head, while the embryo’s trunk will twist spontaneously. Movements are essential for the normal development of bones and joints.

Cartilage formation begins by 5½ weeks.

By 5½ weeks, retinal pigment is subtly visible externally.



WEEK OF APRIL 22 (Fifth week of development)
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We continue to track the development of Baby Chris in the womb, at BabyChris.org.

On April 22, Baby Chris turns four weeks old. Chris’ heart is beating about 113 times per minute, upper and lower limb development has already begun, and rapid brain growth is occurring. This week, the brain will divide into five distinct sections, and the baby’s head will comprise about one third of the baby’s total size.

It is amazing to see so much activity and growth in a child just a little over one eighth of an inch tall!



WEEK OF APRIL 22 (Fifth week of development)
Developmental Facts

By 4 weeks the clear amnion surrounds the embryo in a fluid-filled sac.[55] This sterile liquid, called amniotic (am-nē-ot'ik) fluid, provides the embryo with protection from injury.[56]

The heart typically beats about 113 times per minute.[57] The heart changes color as blood enters and leaves its chambers with each beat. The heart will beat approximately 54 million (5.4×107) times before birth and over 3.2 billion (3.2×109) times over the course of an 80-year lifespan.[58]

Rapid brain growth is evidenced by the changing appearance of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

Upper and lower limb development begins with the appearance of the limb buds by 4 weeks.[59]

The skin is transparent at this point because it is only one cell thick.

As the skin thickens, it will lose this transparency, which means that we will only be able to watch internal organs develop for about another month.[60]

Between 4 and 5 weeks, the brain continues its rapid growth and divides into five distinct sections.[61]

The head comprises about one-third of the embryo's total size.[62]

The cerebral (ser'ĕ-brăl) hemispheres appear,[63] gradually becoming the largest parts of the brain.[64]

Functions eventually controlled by the cerebral hemispheres include thought, learning, memory, speech, vision, hearing, voluntary movement, and problem-solving.[65]



WEEK OF APRIL 15 (Fourth week of development)
Messages

The Heartbeat

National pro-life groups are sponsoring the “Baby Chris” project, tracing the development of an unborn baby from March 25th to Christmas.

On April 15th, Baby Chris turns three weeks old. During this fourth week of development, the heartbeat begins. We all know that in day to day experience, a heartbeat is an indication of life.

And as our project focuses on the development of the baby’s heart, we are seeing various states pass legislation to protect children in the womb as soon as that heartbeat can be detected.

Learn more about the development of the unborn child, and participate in this special project, at www.BabyChris.org.



WEEK OF APRIL 15 (Fourth week of development)
Developmental Facts

Heartbeat is central talking point. Information on heartbeat-related legislation can be found here and here.

Source for the 54 million heartbeats

Information and infographics re: fourth week at Endowment for Human Development.

Virtual Embryo

Coincidentally also tax day; consider secondary theme re: taxpayer funding of abortion



WEEK OF APRIL 8
Developmental Facts

Information and infographics re: third week at Endowment for Human Development

Again, Virtual Embryo is best source of images

Many mothers find out they are pregnant around this time, when they first miss a period. Consider sharing pregnancy announcement videos.



WEEK OF APRIL 1
Developmental Facts

For the earliest weeks of pregnancy, the best images are available at the Virtual Embryo project

Information and infographics re: first week and implantation at Endowment for Human Development

Coincidentally April Fool's Day; consider secondary message about the foolishness of pro-abortion science denial



Join the Baby Chris Project

Over 30 national pro-life groups launched a project this past week that takes America on a journey through the development of a child in the womb from March 25th to Christmas Day, December 25th. During this journey we will learn basic scientific facts about the growth of these children, and see striking videos and photos through the app called "See Baby Pregnancy Guide." Learn more about the project at www.BabyChris.org.



WEEK OF MARCH 25: FERTILIZATION
Journey Through the Development of an Unborn Baby!

A coalition of national pro-life groups, organized by Priests for Life, are urging people to observe March 25th as the "Day of the Unborn Child" (already celebrated in various countries), and then to journey through the nine months of pregnancy, until Christmas Day, with prayer, outreach, and education, so that people may learn about the development of the unborn child.

See Baby Pregnancy GuideWe will be using the app called "See Baby Pregnancy Guide" (available for IOS and Android). Check it out on the app store. You will see video footage of the unborn child far more powerful than anything ultrasound can accomplish. With each week of pregnancy, basic fetal development facts are shared. You can see a sampling of what is on this app in the video window on this page.

During this nine month journey, we will provide you with information, social media updates, and prayers. We want the whole country to see the baby in the womb, our youngest neighbor. By seeing these children and knowing more about their development, people can see more clearly that these are our brothers and sisters, and need to be protected and cherished.

You can follow the project at www.BabyChris.org. God bless you!



Join the Baby Chris Project

Over 30 national pro-life groups launched a project this past week that takes America on a journey through the development of a child in the womb from March 25th to Christmas Day, December 25th. During this journey we will learn basic scientific facts about the growth of these children, and see striking videos and photos through the app called "See Baby Pregnancy Guide." Learn more about the project at www.BabyChris.org.