Can a fetus feel pain before it is born?
September 10th 2011 21:12
Babies can distinguish pain from general touch after around 35 to 37 weeks of gestation, just before they are born.
Scientists show that brain cell (neural) activity gradually changes from an immature state to a more adult-like state from 35 weeks of development.
This change may indicate that neural circuitry allows babies to process pain as a separate sensation from touch, the journal Current Biology reports.
Rebeccah Slater, neuroscientist at the University College London, said: "Premature babies who are younger than 35 weeks have similar brain responses when they experience touch or pain."
"After this time, there is a gradual change, rather than a sudden shift, when the brain starts to process the two types of stimuli in a distinct manner," added Slater, according to a University College statement.
Scientists looked at the brain activity of 46 babies at the University College Hospital of which 21 were born pre-maturely.
This permitted them to measure activity at different stages of brain development, from babies at just 28 weeks of development through to those born full term at 37 weeks.
Scientists measured babies' electrical brain activity when they were undergoing a routine heel lance - a standard procedure essential to collect blood samples for clinical use.
After 35-37 weeks, the babies' response changed to localised activity in specific areas of the brain, indicating they were now perceiving painful stimulation as separate from touch.
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Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Babies are wonderful, and such a joy to be around. My wife and I are not able to have more kids, but we do have three, and hoping for grandchildren soon I hope.
Comment by katyzzz
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Babies are very precious, and yesterday I was privilieged to go to a birthday party with lots of grandchildren present and some long time friends. We and the children had such a lovely time together.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
The pre-born may not process information the same way adults do, as Lester said, but they do react to stimuli. My pro-abortion cousin was amazed that her first grandchild recognized his father's voice as soon as he was born. Why would he not? The father had spent the entire pregnancy talking to him.
How about the abortion nurse who held the sonogram device and watched the baby try to escape the probe that killed it? She became pro-life when she understood that the baby was a real person, who wanted to live.
There are too many examples of babies reacting to things before they're born to believe they have no feelings.
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
And even to this day he will tell everyone that he is a daddies boy, however the other two are closer to their mommy, but I didn't talk to them during pregnancy.
Comment by katyzzz
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As for abortion, who, in their right mind would want to kill their own child, born generally of their own doing, and it is to the shame of so many of the men who sire them to want to escape their obligations by "paying for the abortion" or being 'supportive' of their females while they go through this awful experience, and whoever asks the unborn baby what they want?
Comment by katyzzz
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