These high resolution images capture the experience of the development of a child, from inception to weeks before birth.

 

Sperm in the Fallopian Tube

An egg cell

 Egg next to one inquisitive sperm

The fallopian tube

 Two sperms are contacting with the egg cell

The winning sperm

Winning Moments

The sperm 5-6 days.The clump has developed into a blastocyst, containing many more cells,and has entered the womb

8 days.The human embryo is attached to a wall of the uterus

The brain starts to develop in the human embryo

24 days.The one-month-old embryo has no skeleton yet.There is only a heart that starts beating on the 18th day

4 Weeks

5 weeks.Approximately 9 mm.You can now distinguish the face with holes for eyes,nostrils and mouth

40 days.Embryonic cells form the placenta.This organ connects the embryo to the uterine wall allowing nutrient uptake,waste elimination and gas exchange via the woman’s blood supply

Eight weeks.The rapidly-growing embryo is well protected in the foetal sac

10 weeks. The eyelids are semi-shut. They will close completely in a few days

16 weeks.The foetus uses its hands to explore its own body and its surroundings

The skeleton consists mainly of flexible cartilage.A network of blood vessels is visible through the thin skin

18 weeks.Approximately 14 cm.The foetus can now perceive sounds from the outside world

19 weeks

20 weeks.Approximately 20 cm.Woolly hair, known as lanugo, covers the entire head

24 weeks

26 Weeks

6 months.The little human is getting ready to leave the uterus.It turns upside down because it will be easier to get out this way

36 weeks. The child will see the world in 4 weeks