Fetal pain, according to Rep. Dr. Kim Schrier’s statements at a recent hearing in the House of Representatives, is “pseudoscience, total baloney.” Interestingly, though she recalled caring for extremely premature babies during her pediatric training, perhaps the congresswoman was unaware that, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the medical standard of care for these […]
On May 13, the United States House of Representatives passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This fact sheet explains the science of fetal pain.
“Science Again Points to the Humanity of the Unborn.” Washington, D.C. – A new study “Reconsidering Fetal Pain” confirms that babies in the womb can feel pain as early as 12 weeks old. Writing in the Journal of Medical Ethics, Stuart W.G. Derbyshire and John C. Bockmann state: “Overall, the evidence, and a balanced reading of the evidence, points towards an immediate […]
Note: This paper was updated in August 2021 and can be found at: https://lozierinstitute.org/legislative-and-litigation-overview-of-20-week-abortion-laws/ The entire paper may be viewed as a pdf here: On-Point-34_Legislative-and-Litigation-Overview-of-Five-Month-Abortion-Laws-Enacted-Before-and-After-2010_Final This paper sets out legislative and litigation information involving state laws that prohibit abortion at 20 weeks of pregnancy, roughly five months or more than halfway through pregnancy. […]
Washington, D.C.—Today, the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) hailed the publication of a new paper entitled “The Perinatal Revolution,” coauthored by two CLI associate scholars, which looks at new developments in medically treating a mother’s unborn child while still in the womb. CLI president Charles A. “Chuck” Donovan, said: “With advanced imaging, innovative medical in utero […]
This fact sheet outlines the various responses to a “poor prenatal diagnosis” for a fetal abnormality, noting especially recent medical advances well as the life-affirming option for perinatal hospice.
This map shows the states that have passed legislation limiting abortion based on the unborn child’s ability to feel pain by 20 weeks.
Sheila Page, D.O., is board certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, and treats a wide spectrum of patients from the newborn to the elderly, including patients with irreversible and terminal illness. Dr. Page has a special interest in children with disabilities, particularly those whose burden of care is difficult and who have been given little hope for a better quality of life. In this interview, she discusses palliative care and the science of fetal pain.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a statement pertaining to the prevention and management of procedural pain in babies. Pain that newborns experience from routine medical procedures can be significant, especially in premature infants with more intensive health needs. Research suggests that repeated exposure to pain early in life can create changes in brain development and the stress response systems that can last into childhood. Premature infants are especially at risk. The AAP policy statement recommends that every health facility caring for newborns use strategies to minimize the number of painful procedures performed, and routinely monitor and treat pain with greater emphasis on proven non-drug interventions. The policy statement, “Prevention and Management of Procedural Pain in the Neonate: An Update,” appeared in the February 2016 issue of Pediatrics (published online Jan. 25).
On March 15, 2016, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act – historic legislation to stop abortion more than halfway through pregnancy and strengthen equal protection measures for babies born alive after a failed abortion.
Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) associate scholar Angelina Baglini Nguyen, J.D. testified as an expert witness on the United States’ permissiveness on abortion limits in comparison to international abortion norms as well as the constitutionality of 20-week abortion limits based on fetal pain.