Each human life begins as a single cell – an egg. Once fertilised, that egg starts a process of bewildering transformation into a thinking, human life. In the Womb is the inside story of that transformation. The single cell divides to form a clump of cells, a clump which then begins to organise itself into skin, blood, brains, muscles, guts, eyes, elbows, toes, a heart. Within weeks all the elements are in place. After just a few months the unborn foetus is smiling, yawning, sucking, jumping, kicking, pushing – rehearsing for the life to come. What drives this astonishing transformation? When does an amorphous clump of cells become a human being?
Using ground breaking photography In the Womb delves inside the womb to follow the growth of the human foetus, giving a unique foetus’s eye view on the astonishing journey from conception to birth.
New 4D scanning techniques provide a window into the womb, allowing us to see this foetal development as never before. As well as the physical growth, the film focuses on the development of the senses, and observes how the mother and foetus interact and how each responds to the dramatic changes of pregnancy. In the Womb unravels these secrets and explores the journey from conception to birth - the first beating of the heart, the tentative firing of nerve cells as the brain flickers into existence, the exploratory twitches of muscles, the birth of the senses and the opening of the eyes.
The 4D scans have revealed that the behaviour of the growing foetus is much more complex and advanced than ever previously imagined. During its odyssey In the Womb the foetus is not only growing into a viable human baby, but is busy practicing the skills essential for survival, and beginning to form a relationship with its parents. During its nine month stint of darkness, it will become capable of recognising its parents’ voices, learning tunes, smiling and even dreaming.
Pioneer Productions has already developed ground breaking methods for filming inside the human body for previous series, and major advances in filming techniques mean this will be the most intimate and revealing study ever made of development In the Womb. We are working with Professor Stuart Campbell, one of the pioneers of 4D ultrasound scanning technology, and we will see Professor Kypros Nikolaides, an expert in fetal medicine at Kings College Hospital in London, performing surgery on an unborn foetus inside the womb.
The film is directed by Toby Macdonald. Special effects sequences are filmed by David Barlow, 2004 winner of the prestigious Lennart Nilsson award for excellence and innovation in medical photography. Models are created by Artem, and CGI effects created by The Mill. Original music is composed by Simon Lacey. The film’s executive producer is Pioneer’s MD Stuart Carter.
Experience the wonders of life before birth, with this amazing film and explore each stage of your pregnancy in remarkable detail.
The ‘must have’ DVD for every expectant mother and father.