AbortionAim:

•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?

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.

When does life begin?

Complete the ‘Timeline’ worksheet as we go through

Conception

2 Weeks

12 Weeks

6 Weeks

14 Week

s

1 6 Week

s

34 Weeks

40 Weeks -

Birth

18 Week

s

20 Weeks

21 Week

s

30 Weeks

24 Week

s36

weeks

37 Weeks

ConceptionDAY 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.

2 weeks

DAYS 10-14

The embryo releases chemicals and hormones that

preventthe mother from Menstruating (having

aperiod).

DAY 20

Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and central nervous systemare already established.

3 weeks

DAY 21

The heart begins to beat.

DAY 35

Fingers and toes have formed. Blood is now pumping.

5 weeks

6 weeks

DAY 40

Brain waves are detectable and recordable. Nostrilshaveformed.

7 weeks

DAY 28

Limbs and muscles begin to show. The spine starts forming. Eyes, ears and nose have started to form.

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.

8 weeks

9 weeks

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

10 weeks

The foetus can squint, swallow and wrinkle its forehead.

11 weeks

The foetus can now urinateand make facial expressions.Hair and nails have started

to grow.

12 weeksThe foetus sleeps and awakens and moves its muscles. Ears shift to the side of the

head.

13 weeks

Hair has begun to grow and sexual differentiation is apparent.

15 weeks

16 weeks / 4 months

The mother has started to show. The foetus can hear. Weighs the same as a letter.

18 weeks

19 weeks

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

21 weeks 22 weeks

A premature baby born at 22 weeks

6 months / 24 weeks

24 Weeks – Legal Limit /

Cut off period for which

abortion is allowed

25 weeks 27 weeks

7 months

The baby can use four of its five senses and can recognize its mothers voice

9 months

The baby is now fully capable of living outside the womb. Birth usuallyoccurs between 266 and 294 days

So, When does life begin?

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

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.

Does life begin at the same time for animals too?

What would a foetus pray for?I am not yet born.

Console me.I fear that the human race may

With tall walls, wall meWith strong drugs, dope me

With wise lies, lure meOn black racks, rack meIn blood baths, roll me

I am not yet born. Provide meWith water to dandle me

Grass to grow for meTrees to talk to me

Birds and a white lightin the back of my mind to guide me

I am not yet bornForgive me.

Extract from ‘Prayer

before birth’ by Louis

MacNeice

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

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

HOMEWORK

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