FACT CHECK: Babies at 15 Weeks Can Feel Pain

10.11.2022

Associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, Dr. Robin Pierucci, M.D. outlined in recent days that criticism waged against US Governor Ron DeSantis for his statement that babies can feel pain at 15 weeks, was incorrect.

The Governor said that babies can feel pain at 15 weeks gestation at a recent gubernatorial debate where he was defending abortion bans.

Dr. Pierucci, a board-certified neonatologist, medical director of a 50-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and associate scholar at Charlotte Lozier Institute, explained the fact check by saying:
 
“The idea that unborn babies don’t feel pain is rooted in a bygone era when newborns were actually operated on without anaesthesia.  While abortion advocates continue to cling to that outdated belief, neither science nor humanity have stood still.”

“The current standard of medical care calls for unborn babies to receive pain medication during foetal surgery starting at 15 weeks.  In fact, modern 3D and 4D ultrasound enables us to see an unborn baby cry and grimace when receiving that injection of pain medication in utero.  Their behaviour is just like other kids when they get a shot at the paediatrician’s office.”