Fetal Pain

The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) affirms that it is unethical to intentionally harm an innocent human being even in the absence of the individual’s ability to perceive pain. Laboratory evidence and clinical practice during fetal surgery suggest that as early as 15 weeks gestation noxious stimulation negatively affects immature human beings.  Given what we are continuing to learn, pain induced reactions likely also exist at 12 weeks and possibly earlier. Because of the resulting acute stress responses and subsequent potential long-term negative effects, the ACPeds holds that avoiding, mitigating, and directly treating fetal, neonatal, and pediatric pain is a medical and ethical obligation.

Approved by the ACPeds Board of Directors (May 2025)
Approved by ACPeds Members (June 2025)

Corresponding ACPeds Referenced Paper:

Fetal Pain: What is the Scientific Evidence? (Jan. 2021)

Other Pertinent ACPeds Referenced Papers:

Induced Abortion: Risks That May Impact Adolescents, Young Adults, and Their Children (Aug. 2016)