Unique Heartbeat & Organ Development:

• A baby's heart starts beating about 22 days after fertilization.
• The baby's heart pumps 26 quarts of blood per day.
• By 15 weeks, the baby's heart has already beat approximately 15,800,000 times.
• In total, a baby's heart beats about 54 million times between conception and birth.
• Brain connections formed by 15 weeks' gestation last into adulthood.
• Starting at 10 weeks of gestational age, the fetus begins the breathing process.
• The kidneys already filter toxins.
• Intestines have started the lifelong contractions that propel food through the digestive system.
• Surgeons have successfully performed surgery on 15-week-old babies in utero.

 

Physical Touch & Movement:
 

• Pain is felt by the baby.
• Each little finger can be moved separately. If something touches the palm of the baby's hand, the baby will bend his or her fingers as if to grasp the object.
• Fingerprints that identify each unique individual start forming in the 10th week.
• Eye movement can be seen during an ultrasound.
• The baby's entire body responds to touch.
• The unborn baby prefers sucking her right or left thumb.
• By studying ultrasounds, scientists have determined that 85% of unborn babies prefer moving their right hand over their left hand. About 85% of adults prefer their right hand, too.