EFFINGHAM, Ill. – Quiet gasps and chuckles could be heard from students as they viewed a baby sucking his thumb. Similar reactions were repeated later when other students watched a baby hiccup, his tiny body twitching rhythmically.
The students were in awe as they observed these babies via ultrasound as part of a program called “Window to the Womb”.
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and St. Anthony High School partner for this annual event, which provides the students with an opportunity to witness pre-born life.
All the students are either part of the Anatomy and Physiology class or the junior Religion class at St. Anthony High School, which has recently been studying morality, especially issues of respect for the dignity of human life.
The program was held at HSHS St. Anthony’s Health Center in Effingham, which opened in December 2018.
Four mothers in various stages of pregnancy volunteered to have ultrasounds that the students could observe.
The students viewed an ultrasound and had the opportunity to inspect and hold fetal models of babies at different gestational ages to help illustrate the development in the womb. The ultrasound technologists pointed out various body structures, tissues and organs on the ultrasound screen and let the students see the baby’s beating heart.
“I really enjoyed going to Window to the Womb,” student Jack Hoene said. “It was a life changing experience, and I will hold it in my heart forever. Seeing the baby move around and listening to the mother’s words of excitement were the best part.”
The students also heard a presentation from Tami Shull, Executive Director of Family Life Center, a not-for-profit ministry in Effingham. Shull shared how the Family Life Center provides services to women, men and families experiencing pregnancy, parenting and related issues.
She also spoke to the students about their potential role as “first responders” to someone experiencing a crisis pregnancy, as many young people in a crisis situation will first share with a friend rather than a parent, or other trusted adult.
“I am grateful to HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital for this amazing and memorable opportunity to view a child’s life within a mother’s womb,” said Father Mark Tracy, parochial vicar at St. Anthony’s Parish. “Our students greatly enjoyed seeing the beautiful miracle that a baby’s life is. It was a very moving experience to see the baby’s heartbeat and how active the baby was in the womb.”
