It is clear throughout several old testament passages that people were valued differently. For instance, reparations for accidentally killing a slave were lower than for a free adult jew. In such a context, looking at this passage, an unborn baby isn’t worth as much reparation as an adult jew — otherwise it would just be eye for an eye.
“In such a context, looking at this passage, an unborn baby isn’t worth as much reparation as an adult jew — otherwise it would just be eye for an eye.”
But it is an eye for an eye, and if there is no significant injury there is still a fine for the trauma of being struck and being born early. It’s more than eye for eye, not less.