By Ana Boudreaux, 8th grade
Human life begins at creation. Psalm 139:13 says, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” God has a purpose for everyone, big and small. We must protect babies in all phases of life, starting at creation and through natural death. Every heartbeat is His divine plan. We are to use our voices for the voiceless, defend those who can’t defend themselves, and witness life that God so perfectly designed.
The first trimester is the very beginning of a baby’s life, covering the span of the first twelve weeks. Once they are conceived, the first trimester has started. At this time, the bones in their bodies begin to form, their vital organs take shape, and their petite faces begin to develop distinct features. Within 12 short weeks their heartbeat can be heard, a vital sign of God’s true meaning in life.
By the end of the twelfth week the baby starts to move, stretch, and even react to touch. Fingers, toes, eyelids, and ears start to take shape. Most importantly, the brain starts to develop at an incredible pace. Though still small and vulnerable, this little one already carries her own fingerprints, heartbeat, and a soul designed by God. Every week is a reminder of the little miracle in the womb, a reflection of Christ’s creation. While still being small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, the first trimester is over.
One way I plan to work toward the protection of the preborn in my school and community is by teaching the stages of a pregnancy. By doing this, I can give people a deeper look into the topic most boys and young females don’t quite understand yet, from the beginning of conception to their birth, helping both mothers and young adults understand preborn babies and their importance. Life is precious and created with purpose. No one should be able to take the chance away to grow and live the life God planned for you. I can bring this idea up to many clubs and schools to bring together an educated and unified front for the preborn.
My second idea, but definitely not my last, would involve supporting organizations and groups that are already having impacts in this area, increasing their support, funding, and awareness. This would lead to ongoing and expanded services to mothers and their preborn children. Organizations like New Life Counseling play a pivotal role in protecting the preborn, which is where my part of the plan comes into play. By letting the community and church help fund the organizations, we can one day help all mothers with any thought of abortion.
In the end, the preborn, no matter how small or unseen, are still human. It is our responsibility to defend and protect them and to educate others on the beauty and purpose of life, to try to help mothers feeling doubt and uncertainty by filling them with faith, hope, and love. Through unity and education, we hope to someday create a culture that cherishes every heartbeat, for every child is a reflection of God’s image. They are human, so human they shall stay.
Ana Boudreaux received an honorable mention in the middle school category of the Culture of Life Studies Program’s 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest.