Fast Facts

Fast Facts – Fetal Development

• A human person’s life begins at fertilization when the father’s sperm penetrates the mother’s egg.
  
  
• From the time of fertilization, a baby’s unique DNA and genetic makeup are complete from sex to hair color to height as an adult.
  
  
• A baby’s heart begins to beat just three weeks after fertilization.
  
  
• Brain waves can be detected at six weeks after fertilization.
  
  
• At two months after fertilization, all of the baby’s organ systems are complete. The baby just needs to grow for the remainder of time in the womb.