Reply #501: One's body is sovereign [View All]

If one's body is sovereign, then human life is sovereign.

I respect your opinion, but there is nothing magical regarding the fetus when it comes to the day prior to birth vs the day after birth.

To the woman certainly.

By 4 months, the growing fetus weights 7 ounces - just about ½ a pound - and 5 inches from head to rump. The fetus can suck, swallow and make early breathing movements. The arms and legs are completely developed. At 18 weeks, all body and facial features are recognizable. The eyes begin to blink. The fetus moves quite a lot now, though the mother may not feel it. At 5 months, or 20 weeks, the halfway point in gestation is reached. Although the primitive lungs cannot breathe air, early respiratory movements begin. The fetus can be seen sucking its thumb on an ultrasound. Soon the fetus begins to hear the mother's heartbeat and voice. The fetus wakes and sleeps.

By 28 weeks, the beginning of the third trimester, the fetus can survive outside of the uterus if the lungs are developed enough. The fetus is usually breech (butt or legs) coming into the pelvis first. From 32 weeks onward, the fetus is in a growth phase. The muscles become stronger and the fetus can turn with greater ease. By 36 weeks, 97% of the fetus has turned and become cephalic or head first. At 38 weeks, the fetus is finally term and the lungs are usually mature. The fetus can easily survive outside of the womb. Forty weeks is full term and the average fetus is 20 inches long and weighs 7 pounds. These days, most obstetricians would not let the pregnancy go beyond 42 weeks.

http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/chicago/fetalgrowth.htm