You don’t have to watch a documentary to learn about a newborn baby’s development into a toddler and beyond. You can just look at your own kids or those of friends and family members to witness the changes that occur over the initial days, weeks, months and years of their lives.
What about what happens before a baby is born? During the nine months from conception to birth, there are a number of significant milestones as cells form and develop into a separate human life. But we never get to see those play out in the same way… until now. In Nine Months that Made You, Michael Mosley – with a little help from some cutting edge CGI – shows us that process as it happens.
In this new three-part series, you can follow foetal development from the instant where sperm and egg combine. The animation depicts the process as a human being takes shape, while Mosley travels the world, unearthing stories that illustrate those key moments – and some of the unique and unusual ways they take place.
The first episode covers the initial eight weeks as cells grow and in some cases split, when diet plays a crucial part in development and an organism takes on human characteristics. Episode two follows the middle months of pregnancy when gender becomes settled – and shows instances when things aren’t so clear cut. And the final episode takes the story through to its conclusion as unborn babies develop the tools needed for survival after delivery.
It's a fascinating look at the creation of human life and the many stages that lead up to the birth of a child.
Michael Mosley meets the newest arrival to the Gambia. Source: SBS
Digitally created image showing a sperm meeting an egg when two sets of genes will combine to create a new life. Source: SBS
Michael Mosley with the Da Silva family, who have an extra finger on each hand. Source: SBS
Digitally created image of a full-term baby. Source: SBS
Watch Michael Mosley: Nine Months that Made You on Mondays at 8:30pm on SBS.
