Life before Birth

Life before Birth

2005, Science  -   19 Comments
6.99
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Ratings: 6.99/10 from 165 users.

When does life truly begin? The stunning documentary Life before Birth doesn't approach this question primarily from a social or political perspective, but through the prism of medical and scientific observation. Utilizing the latest in spectacular 4D ultrasound imagery and innovative computerized animations, the film shows us the miraculous development of a fetus during its time in the womb.

The mysteries of life originate even before the occurrence of our birth. The film begins its narrative at the moment of conception as internal biological events lead to the fertilization of the egg. A male voice gives expression to the developing fetus at these crucial early stages. "I am in limbo, but at least I am," the narrator instructs. "A promise made by the past to the future." Life before Birth goes on to explore the formation of a fetus' genetic make-up, including the determinants of its gender and many aspects which foretell the entirety of the child's future outside of the womb.

The development of the fetus is meticulously recreated throughout the film's feature-length running time. We're shown the formation of the brain's completely exposed nerve endings after fifteen days in the womb during a phase of development in which the fetus has yet to take any discernibly human form. Blood and nourishment are allowed free flow throughout the embryo as the heart begins to develop from a mass of muscle cells after 22 days. At the 30 day marker, the embryo still appears undefined and gelatinous, although the eyes and limbs have already begun to manifest. As shown in four-dimensional scans, the fetus begins to kick after eleven weeks, and forms an additional complex series of reflexes and behaviors in the third trimester. During this entire process, the biology of the mother is naturally manipulated to harbor the safest haven possible for the continued healthy development of her fetus.

Splendidly visualized and featuring a wealth of fascinating insights, Life before Birth is an award-winning documentary that carefully dissects every milestone in the nine-month gestation of the human fetus. In so doing, it serves as a valuable reminder of the wonders of our natural evolution.

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debbie
debbie
1 year ago

Interesting and nicely filmed, but oh my gosh, the constant interruptions of some dude pretending to speak for the fetus (in wistful and heartfelt sounding rhymes, no less) is not only distracting, but ridiculous. If I made that film, I would erase all of the audio and start over with a decent narrator.

Smarter Than You
Smarter Than You
1 year ago

No way! They actually used the tail and gills hoax that was disproved in the early 19th century 😂😂😂

pete
pete
4 years ago

I could not bear to hear that guy pretending to be the fetus and forcing me to listen to a terrible poem every few minutes. He sounds like the Thomas the Tank Engine narrator.
Switched off half way.

hoosier
hoosier
5 years ago

Technology view is simple simon. It doesn`t even show the internal organ necessary for existance independent of the host mother.

mubiru frank
mubiru frank
6 years ago

i need your help in factors that can lead to disabilities: 1.during birth and before birth

Peter
Peter
7 years ago

The creepy fetus voice ruined this documentary honestly. They could've left that out. Other than it was ok

Tommy
Tommy
8 years ago

Ha - "the original replicating molecules" that "poof" came into existence at once as time and matter appeared from nothing - Ha. Pro-choice is pro-death arbitrarily respecting life at various stages....my favorite Pro-choice statement is "I would never kill a baby myself, but each mother should have that right".....

Michael Hermon
Michael Hermon
8 years ago

Thank you, thank you. Yes life has continued unbroken from the original replicating molecules. So sick of the naive anti-abortion argument.

Sonny Corbi
Sonny Corbi
8 years ago

We all share the same life, there is one life that manifest many forms - The DNA part is perplexing - who get what malfunction/disease is it random? If it is random, then there is no real sanctity here? I never thought about this before until now?

Eugene Haines
Eugene Haines
8 years ago

Fascinating material which really does sends me into reflective mode and how it interfaces into my development. Being somewhat squeamish I have no doubt that viewing this again will help me digest the fragility of our early development.

lai lee
lai lee
8 years ago

if sound effect is better i would give it a 10 the background music is way too loud .yes there are unnecessary drama.

Don Jayalath
Don Jayalath
8 years ago

A fine film, but it could have done without all the unnecessary drama.

Joseph de Nicola
Joseph de Nicola
8 years ago

It should be remembered that throughout nature, mothers abandon offspring even at birth, to provide more milk for the stronger, to increase chances for survival and fecundity. There being no judicial law in nature, the determination to support life lies solely with the mother.

Hollis E. Ramsey
Hollis E. Ramsey
8 years ago

i wish i remembered my first memory.

GPC
GPC
8 years ago

Understanding where one is going with this philosophy. Most interesting.
But, I'll stick with the Life of an individual person and yes created by the life of others.

charley
charley
8 years ago

I agree with Bart...... a sperm is alive, and an egg is alive, and both come from living creatures, who in turn come from prior living creatures.......... All the way back, as described by evolutionary theory.

So, was life only created once? Or perhaps many times, and others have perished?

Bart H.
Bart H.
8 years ago

Every cell comes from another cell, so, life began a long time ago.