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Viability

There is no sharp limit of development, age, or weight at which humans automatically become viable. A recent study found that even with active intervention, no infants born at least than 22 weeks survived, at 23 weeks survival without severe impairment is less than 2%, and at 25 weeks, up to 30% might survive without severe impairment. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine states that in cases of delivery occurring before 26 weeks, “given the potential for maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity, the option of pregnancy termination should be reviewed with the patients.”

Because the chance of survival is variable based on interventions available and the weight and sex of the fetus, there is no consensus on viability. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that 23% of abortion providers offer abortions at 20 weeks of gestation and later, most often using a method called Dilation and Evaluation (D&E).