Can a Fetus Feel Pain?
Can a Fetus Feel Pain During an Abortion? No.
One of the most persistent myths about abortion is the idea that a fetus can feel pain during the procedure. The short answer? No. A fetus cannot feel pain during an abortion—especially not during the gestational window when over 90% of abortions are performed.
Can a Fetus Feel Pain: What Does the Science Say?
Multiple studies and reviews by medical experts—including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)—have concluded that a fetus does not have the neurological capacity to feel pain before approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy. That means in nearly all abortions, including medication and early in-clinic procedures, fetal pain is not possible.
A comprehensive review in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found no evidence that a fetus can feel pain before the third trimester. Why? The brain and nervous system are not yet developed enough to process pain signals.
Can a Fetus Feel Pain: Why Does This Myth Persist?
Unfortunately, the “fetal pain” argument has been weaponized by anti-abortion activists to pass restrictive laws, shame patients, and misinform the public. Some states have proposed (and even passed) bans based on the false claim that a fetus feels pain as early as 12 or 15 weeks—despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.
What to Know If You’re Considering Abortion
- Early abortions do not cause fetal pain. Whether you’re using abortion pills or undergoing an in-clinic procedure, you can rest assured that this process is not causing pain to a fetus.
- Your choice is valid and safe. The decision to have an abortion is yours to make, based on your life, health, and future—not on medically false narratives.
Trust Science. Trust Yourself.
At Abortion Clinics Online, we’re here to combat misinformation with real, verified facts—and to help you access legitimate abortion providers, not crisis pregnancy centers pushing falsehoods.
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Want more truth bombs like this? Please read our blog on fake abortion clinics.
