Towards A New World

When all the preparations are complete for the foetus to enter a new world, the amniotic fluid begins to perform new activities. The amniotic fluid forms fluid vesicles which will cause the entrance of the womb to expand to a size that will allow the baby to pass, and prevent the baby from being compressed in the womb during the birth process. When the birth begins, the vesicles are perforated and pour out the fluid they contain, lubricating and sterilizing the channel through which the foetus will pass. In this way the birth is easier and protected from bacteria.46

God brought you out of your mothers' wombs knowing nothing at all, and gave you hearing, sight and hearts so that perhaps you would give thanks. (Qur'an, 16: 78)

Along with these preparations made in the womb, a few other conditions must be met at the same time in order to have a safe birth. For example, for the baby to emerge from the womb, it must be in the right position. To achieve this, the baby's feet move, causing it to turn slowly until its head moves into the cervix. Now that the baby is too big to manoeuvre, the baby's ability to move is curtailed, and it cannot move its head out of that position.47 But how does the unborn baby make the decision as to which position is appropriate? How does it know the best position for the birth? And, how does the foetus in its mother's womb determine when it is time to be born? Certainly, these are very important things to think about. The fact that a being whose consciousness is still undeveloped can demonstrate such conscious behaviour is a clear indication not of its own will, but of the knowledge and inspiration of God the Creator.

In the stage at which the body comes into the world, there are many other examples of marvellous design to be seen. For example, in order for a healthy birth to occur, the baby's skull must have a structure that will not be damaged in the birth canal. If we look at the baby's skull, we see a group of 5 bones with a soft spot called the "fontanelle" between them. This soft structure gives to the skull a flexibility that prevents damage to the baby's brain and skull from the pressure that occurs during birth.

Before the birth of the baby, preparations are made under very strict controls; precautions are taken with a view to every eventuality. For example, amniotic fluid comes into play to facilitate the birth and prevent infection.

All these bring a question to mind: Who ensures that all these preparations have been completed, and determines that the time has come? Who checks that the eyes are ready to see, the lungs are ready to breathe, the joints are perfectly developed and the brain is completely formed?

The system designed in the mother's body for the development of the baby functions perfectly. If a baby is born without these developments being completed, for whatever reason, it will need special care (left)..

In the developing body of the foetus, there is no such mechanism to control these things. The brain, which is accepted as the control centre for the whole body, is an organ that develops along with the foetus. Besides, even a perfectly formed brain could not discern any meaning at this stage. The foetus, which until that moment had developed in its mother's womb, is completely unaware of an external environment. It cannot determine whether or not it is in a condition suitable for an environment it has never seen. And it is not the mother who determines the time of birth. From the very first day, a mother cannot intervene in one single stage of the operations occurring in her body; how, then, could she decide when these stages have reached their completion?

There is no doubt that it is God Who controls every stage of the baby's development and determines when a human being will begin his life in this world. It is only God, Who created human beings, Who knows every moment of the lives they will lead. When a human being comes into the world, God even knows the day he will die. Death will come at the time God determined. An intelligent person who has an awareness of these facts knows what he must do: He must think about his own creation and once again bear witness to the eternal power of his Lord, and he must order his whole life in a way that will be pleasing to God.

Mankind! If you are in any doubt about the Resurrection, know that We created you from dust, then from a drop of sperm, then from an alaq, then from a lump of flesh, formed yet unformed, so that We might manifest to you Our power. We make whatever We want stay in the womb until a specified time and then We bring you forth as children, so that you may reach your full maturity. Some die young and some are returned to the most decrepit (old) age when all that they once knew they know no more. (Qur'an, 22: 5)

46. Laurence Pernoud, J'ettends un enfant, Pierre Horay, Paris, 1995, p. 138
47. Geraldine Lux Flanagan, Beginning Life, Dorling Kindersley, London, 1996, p. 103