Pro-abortion radicals lie to women and claim that their unborn baby is nothing more than a clump of cells. What they do not tell these women is just how early in pregnancy their baby can feel pain. This week we are joined by Dr. Haywood Robinson and Dr. Robin Pierucci as we discuss the reality of fetal pain.
Resources
Fact Sheet: A Timeline of the Development of Fetal Pain Sensation
A previous fact sheet on the science of fetal pain was originally published in September 2022. This fact sheet has been substantially updated and organized according to a timeline of gestational development.
A 2007 manuscript on fetal pain notes:
It would be a mistake to view the onset of pain perception, or any other neural function, as we view assembly of computer parts. There is no scientific evidence that function in the multi-layered networks underlying pain perception wait for some cue to be “turned on.” The developing neural elements may be immature, but they are NOT inactive. … The immature pain system thus plays a signaling role during each stage of development and may use the neural elements available at that time to fulfill this role.[1]
Fetal Development Pictures
Pictures frequently say more than volumes of text, and they often say it more effectively. Pro-life leaders and educators know the amazing power these images have to change the hearts and minds of people on abortion. Individuals often forget what is said in pro-life educational presentations or written in literature. However, they almost always remember the dramatic images of life developing in the womb.
Assessment of Human Fetuses Undergoing Acute Pain: Validation of the Fetal-7 Scale
- The Fetal-7 scale is the first validated tool for assessing pain-related behavior in fetuses.
- This scale demonstrated high internal consistency and high intra- and inter-rater reliabilities.
- It detected acute fetal pain behavior with 100% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity.
- The Fetal-7 scale may be useful for guiding analgesia among third-trimester fetuses.
Pain is the Persuader
Abortion continues to be on a collision course with modern science and medicine.
Earlier this year a prestigious medical group released an analysis that is sure to make more converts to the pro-life side, and I want to make sure you were aware of it.
The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) published a position statement entitled, Fetal Pain: What is the Scientific Evidence. It is a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on pain experienced by unborn babies and neonates.
Guests
Dr. Robin Pierucci is board certified in pediatrics and neonatology and has a master’s degree in bioethics. She practiced neonatology for close to 25 years at Bronson Children’s Hospital’s level III NICU in Kalamazoo, MI where she was also medical director for 17 years.
She led multiple performance improvement projects including care for opiate exposed neonates and improving bronchopulmonary dysplasia through increased use of nCPAP. She was also involved in ongoing work on improving neurodevelopmental outcomes by decreasing painful stimulation.
Dr Pierucci “retired” from full time work in the NICU at the end of 2024 to found Navigating Fetal Concerns, a service devoted to accompanying parents whose baby has an abnormal prenatal diagnosis. She is a Fellow of the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr Pierucci currently serves as Co-Chair of the Pro-Life Council of ACPeds.
Haywood Robinson, M.D. attended college and medical school in Southern California and practiced medicine for 40 years. After performing hundreds of abortions he became a Christian and is now a pro-life advocate.
Haywood and his late wife Noreen Johnson, M.D. met as residents at King/Drew Medical Center where they learned to perform the abortion procedure. Since his salvation in 1986, pro-life work has been a passion for Haywood.
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