Ken Orr: In praise of prime minister's pregnancy

Loving couple: Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford are expecting their first baby. Photo/File

Right to Life joins with the nation in rejoicing at the news that the prime minister is expecting the birth of her precious baby in June.

We congratulate Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford and wish them happiness and success as they begin their lives as parents.

Our prayers are that she will have a safe and healthy pregnancy. We are confident that Jacinda will make a great mum and Clarke a great dad.

Right to Life is delighted to see an unborn child become the lead story on the six o'clock TV news and in the daily newspapers. This child is destined to be the most loved and protected child in New Zealand's history.

Every child of course is a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God's loving creation.
Human life begins at conception and from that moment Jacinda became a mother. At the moment of conception a new life began its life journey with all its human chromosomes present.

By the 22nd day, the child's heart began to beat with its own blood that may be different to that of the mother. By the end of the third week the child's backbone spinal column and nervous system are forming. The liver, kidneys and intestines are also forming.
By the end of week four, the child is 10,000 times larger than the fertilised egg. By week 11 the baby can grasp objects placed in its hand and all organ systems are functioning.
Jacinda Ardern's baby is presumably now 12 weeks old and has all of the parts necessary to experience pain, including nerves, spinal cord, and thalamus. Vocal cords should be complete.

At 18 weeks old, the baby can suck its thumb, bone marrow is now beginning to form and the heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood a day. The child is probably now between eight and 10 inches in length and will weigh up to half a pound. It needs only time to be born.

Jacinda's baby is not a clump of cells nor is it a potential human being; it is a human being endowed at conception with an inalienable right to life. It is a human being with great potential endowed by its Creator with talents to enrich our nation.

It is not part of Jacinda's body for it has its own DNA and blood system. The child rests in her womb close to her heart bonding with its mother seeking nourishment and protection.

Right to Life hopes this beautiful and dramatic life change for Jacinda and Clarke will help her to understand that the state is at the service of the family of exclusively one woman and one man, the source of the next generation.

Jacinda now has the honour of being called mother, a title of greater importance than the title of prime minister.

Ministers and governments may make important decisions concerning the governance of our country but only a mother can co-operate with God the source of all life in bringing forth new life and providing a loving home with her husband for her children.

■ Ken Orr is a spokesman for Right to Life