So who's read this?
There is a pro-life "poem" being passed around rather often so here's some information in case these maggots have been shitting in your head. I'm sure impressionable people will be mislead by such a propagated presentation, so here's the raw deal.
Month 1:
Mommy, I am only 8 inches long, but I have all my organs. I love the sound of your voice. Every time I hear it, I wave my arms and legs. The sound of your heart beat is my favorite lullaby.
Actually: At 7 weeks, you're only .25cm long (1/10th of an inch). Your heart is the size of a poppyseed, and you have no ears, arms, or legs, so you cannot hear or wave. At least half of the embryos that reach this stage are miscarried, often so early that the miscarriage is not even recognized, and Mommy probably didn't know she was pregnant! This is often due to a natural problem with the genetic combinations made by the egg and sperm, hormonal imbalances, or failure for the egg to implant in the uterine lining (just like emergency contraception!)
Month 2:
Mommy, today I learned how to suck my thumb. If you could see me, you could definitely tell that I am a baby. I'm not big enough to survive outside my home though. It is so nice and warm in here.
Not exactly: At the end of this month, you are still only 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long. Your heart only has 2 chambers, and there is no thumb to suck -- you have webbed fingers!
Month 3:
You know what Mommy, I'm a girl!! I hope that makes you happy. I always want you to be happy. I don't like it when you cry. You sound so sad. It makes me sad too, and I cry with you even though you can't hear me.
Congratulations!: Only at the end of this month can you be considered a fetus! Why? Because many embryos have not even made it to this point, not because of abortion, but because of the spontaneous and natural expulsion of the tissue from the uterus. You are 7.5cm long (3 inches) and only now are your limbs and organs formed. You're jumping the gun with the female identification, though! We'll get to that later -- hopefully, once a female fetus is born, she won't have to face all of the horrible restrictions our government and society forces her to adhere to; no child should be subjected to a life of inequity and politicized restrictions! Only 12% of abortions will occur after this point.
Month 4:
Mommy, my hair is starting to grow. It is very short and fine, but I will have a lot of it. I spend a lot of my time exercising. I can turn my head and curl my fingers and toes, and stretch my arms and legs. I am becoming quite good at it too.
Not quite: At the end of this phase, that hair you have covers your entire body and is called lanugo. It certainly isn't something that we associate with real children, though. You are still only 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches). We still haven't made it to your initial claim of 8 inches, but perhaps we'll get there. Mommy is beginning to show her pregnancy at this time, and may be experiencing some life threatening illnesses as well!
Month 5
You went to the doctor today. Mommy, he lied to you. He said that I'm not a baby. I am a baby Mommy, your baby. I think and feel. Mommy, what's abortion?
You are: Currently 38cm (15 inches) from top to toe, or 25.5 cm (10 inches) from crown to rump. Only now could you possibly hear Mommy, unlike the claim made in Month 1. As for your question, abortion at this stage would be called dilation and extraction, also known as "late term abortion" or, as you would likely have it, "partial birth abortion." This procedure is extremely rare, and only a handful of doctors in the U.S. will perform it, due to violence, threats, legal restrictions, and public humiliation by those who claim to support life. This procedure helps to truly support life in a variety of ways -- it is used to save the life of Mommy, who if sick with certain illnesses (such as certain types of infections, heart failure, malignant hypertension, including preeclampsia, out-of-control diabetes, serious renal disease, severe depression and suicidal tendencies), could die or face serious health complications if the pregnancy continues. Additionally, if you have a severe genetic abnormality, genetic testing can be conducted at this stage to ensure that any future siblings do not face a similar fate.
Month 6
I can hear that doctor again. I don't like him. He seems cold and heartless. Something is intruding my home. The doctor called it a needle. Mommy what is it? It burns! Please make him stop! I can't get away from it! Mommy!! HELP me!! No . . .
Ha, enough with the drama:Only 1.5% of abortions occur at this point. The legal restrictions, financial responsibilities, provider shortages and geographic challenges to abortion not only make it increasingly difficult to obtain this and other abortion procedures, but also reproductive services, health education and family planning assistance. Often, there is a reason that makes the procedure medically necessary, either for the health of the mother, the failure of the fetus to be viable, or both. Additionally, some women may have been unable to access appropriate services earlier in the pregnancy, or may only have enough money for a procedure at this stage.
Month 7
Mommy, I am okay. I am in Jesus's arms. he is holding me. He told me about abortion. Why didn't you want me Mommy?
In reality: Mommy, however, may not be ok. In the case of serious health complications, Mommy is likely still suffering from the complications experienced during her pregnancy, and will probably undergo treatment for quite some time. If you failed to be viable, Mommy is probably finding out information that determines whether she can ever have a child, and the risks associated with future pregnancies. Mommy may also be suffering severe financial hardships, due to the expense of her procedure as well as associated travel costs (imagine the enormous hardships of raising a child in a safe home and providing equal opportunities throughout his or her life!). Hopefully, Mommy will be able to overcome these obstacles, many of them erected for no reason outside of misguided fundamentalism, and continue her life with health and happiness.