Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution

Termination in Cases of Foetal Abnormality: Mr. Peter Thompson, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital

1:30 pm

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am trying to bring out how the United Kingdom system works and the impact it has on the medical profession, as well as on unborn children, of which everybody is aware.

I wish to ask Mr. Thompson about foetal pain. He referenced the document from the Royal College which suggests it is less likely that there is foetal pain. It does not use the language of certainty. If there is a possibility of foetal pain, what would be the consequences of a precautionary use of anaesthetic, in particular in late-term abortions?

After 24 weeks, approximately what size is an unborn baby? I am sure it varies but can Mr. Thompson give us a sense of the dimensions of an unborn baby at 24 weeks' gestation?

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