BIRTH
beforeLIFE
The Groundbreaking Photography
of Lennart Nilsson

“I want to educate people
and also increase their
reverence for life.”
Pioneer of medical photography
Dedicated special attention
to capturing the development
of the human being from
conception to birth
Endoscopes and macro lenses
were used to capture these
breathtaking images
1922–2017
Lennart Nilsson

Fertilisation
After travelling through
the fallopian tube,
sperm reach the egg that
has been released from
the ovary.
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

Only one sperm can
make it through
the egg’s outer
surface – called
the ‘zona pellucida’ –
to fertilise the egg.

The egg and sperm nuclei
fuse to form the zygote.
23 chromosomes from the
mother and 23 chromosomes
from the father combine to
create a unique human life.
HUMAN
LIFE begins
A unique
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

HUMAN
LIFE begins
The combined 46
chromosomes contain the
entire genetic blueprint of
the new human including
gender, fingerprints, freckles,
eye colour and blood type.
A unique

FIVE
Heart beats at 150 bpm
Eyes, ears and nose are forming
Leg and arm buds growing
Distinct brain segments
weeks later
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

SEVEN
weeks
First movements are detected
Fingers, toes and eyelids
almost complete
All major organs present
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

TEN
weeks
Nervous system
is responsive
Irises are developing
Baby can yawn,
swallow and suck
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

TWELVE
weeks
Baby is kicking,
leaping and stretching
Fingers and toes can move
All vital organs formed
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

TWELVE
weeks
Developing reflexes
e.g. thumb-sucking
Nervous system
is functioning
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

TWENTY
weeks
Baby can hear conversations,
loud noises and music
Taste buds have formed
Improved sense of touch
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
Fetal age milestones from Prof Stuart Campbell,
‘Watch Me Grow!’ London: Carroll & Brown Ltd, 2004

“I WANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND INCREASE
THEIR REVERENCE FOR LIFE.”Lennart Nilsson

BIRTH
beforeLIFE
� LifeWorks 2018