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A Child is Born: Photographs of the foetus developing in the womb, by Lennart Nilsson

Five weeks. The embryo is approximately 9mm long. A face develops, with openings for the mouth, the nostrils and eyes

When Lennart Nilsson's pictures of developing embryos were published in Life magazine in 1965, they caused a sensation. Within days, the entire print run of eight million had sold out. More than 40 years later, the photographs have lost none of their power

Five weeks. The embryo is approximately 9mm long. A face develops, with openings for the mouth, the nostrils and eyes

Picture: LENNART NILSSON

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Five weeks. The embryo is approximately 9mm long. A face develops, with openings for the mouth, the nostrils and eyesEight weeks. The rapidly-growing embryo is well protected in the foetal sac10 weeks. The eyelids are semi-shut. They will close completely in a few days16 weeks. The foetus uses its hands to explore its own body and its surroundings
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