The following post is a re-post from the desk of Lila Rose the President of LiveAction.org.
When does human life begin? Science is crystal clear: human life begins at the moment of fertilization. For centuries, the development of human life within the womb was instinctually understood, but mysterious. Today, with modern technology, we have the opportunity to understand the miraculous journey of human life’s beginnings in intimate detail.
Every person should know and understand the science of when life begins. Imagine how many civilization-wide problems we would solve if we could all acknowledge this reality. If our laws acknowledged when human life begins, we would not discriminate against and violently kill our youngest children through abortion.
Sadly, the abortion industry pulls out all the stops to muddy the water around what science tells us about life. One of their tactics aims to keep a pregnant woman from seeing an image of the baby developing in her womb.
As a matter of institutional policy, Planned Parenthood lobbies against any law that would ensure abortionists show mothers an ultrasound image of their child before they perform their lethal “procedure.” They know the truth—information is power. If a woman is empowered with the information about the human life that is inside her, she is less likely to choose the violence of abortion. The heartbeat of my mission is the belief that when we learn, we change.
As the lethal abortion pill gains traction for its ease of access through telemedicine, the potential for a woman to see her unborn child via ultrasound diminishes because fewer mothers are going into physical abortion facilities.
That’s why Live Action created Window to the Womb, an interactive website that shows with unprecedented clarity and state-of-the-art depictions a medically accurate animation of a preborn child through every single day of gestation. From the earliest flicker of a heartbeat to the formation of delicate features, the interactive timelapse presents a vivid tapestry of life that develops day by day. It's a personalized, intimate journey celebrating the unique marvels of each stage of development that illustrates a fundamental truth: a human being comes into existence at the moment of fertilization.
For true cultural change to happen around the issue of life, it’s crucial to humanize the preborn. What woman, after seeing a daily, visually striking portrayal of her child's development, wouldn’t feel deeper understanding, empathy, and connection to the miracle that exists within her?
Human development—life—is a miracle. The foundation of life, when the heart begins to beat, is laid very early in the 3rd to 4th week. Moving forward, the 8th week marks a pivotal moment when the embryo officially becomes a fetus. Facial features begin to take shape and tiny limbs emerge, reflecting the extraordinary craftsmanship of human creation. By the end of the first trimester, at around 12 weeks, the fetus has distinct fingers and toes, and its delicate organs are already in place.
The second trimester, spanning from the 13th to the 27th week, is a period of rapid growth. The mother can often feel the first fluttering movements, creating a tangible connection between her and the burgeoning life within. By 20 weeks, the fetus is halfway through its journey, and its sex becomes discernible.
The final trimester, from the 28th week to birth, is marked by the refinement of vital systems. The lungs mature, preparing for the first breath of life outside the womb. As the due date approaches, the fetus attains a state of readiness, fully equipped for the transition to the world beyond.
The truth is that a human being comes into existence at the moment of fertilization. All of the changes that humans experience in utero, all of the miraculous development, do not change or enhance our humanness. Words like “embryo” and “fetus” are merely stages of human development, just like “infant” or “toddler.”
As a mother, I can tell you from experience that there is nothing like seeing your own child on the ultrasound screen for the first time. As I gazed at the ultrasound screen showing my little son, a wave of emotions enveloped me, and in that moment, the heartbeat echoing in the room seemed to synchronize with the rhythm of my own.
There it was—a tiny life, a manifestation of love and dreams, dancing on the black and white canvas before me. The ultrasound revealed the intricate beauty of my child, a delicate existence that had taken root within me. My heart filled with an overwhelming sense of wonder and gratitude.
In that dimly lit room, I felt a profound connection to the little one who would soon grace our lives with laughter and joy. It was a moment etched in time, eternally etched in my heart, as I marveled at the miracle of creation and the indescribable bond that we shared. That’s why I am convinced a woman’s decision about abortion will change if she is able to see her developing baby, and Window to the Womb is the closest a mother can get to the feeling of viewing an ultrasound image outside of a clinical setting.
For mothers facing the weight of an unplanned pregnancy, the image of her child can be a guiding light—a beacon that illuminates the intricate beauty of the life growing within them. Not only that, but understanding the biological reality of the developing life enables women to make informed decisions that resonate with the reality of their child's existence.
There is no better way to expose the reality of life in the womb than to show a woman the life in her womb. As we strive for a culture that cherishes and protects the vulnerable, we must remember that information is power. If we can help women see — with technology’s help — their preborn children, we’ll continue to transform perspectives, change laws, and save lives.
For Life,
Lila Rose
President and Founder Live Action