There is one point to be made. “Late term abortion” refers to abortions from 21 to 24 weeks gestation (40 is full term). If a situation develops that requires that the pregnancy be terminated before 25 weeks, the survival of the fetus is unlikely. 20 to 35 percent of babies born at 23 weeks of gestation survive, while 50 to 70 percent of babies born at 24 to 25 weeks, and more than 90 percent born at 26 to 27 weeks, survive. It is rare for a baby weighing less than 500 g (17.6 ounces) to survive. Looking at Northam’s remarks, one sees that he was NOT advocating infanticide but in fact describing the conflicts and decisions that the parents with the physician must make in such cases.
There is one point to be made. “Late term abortion” refers to abortions from 21 to 24 weeks gestation (40 is full term). If a situation develops that requires that the pregnancy be terminated before 25 weeks, the survival of the fetus is unlikely. 20 to 35 percent of babies born at 23 weeks of gestation survive, while 50 to 70 percent of babies born at 24 to 25 weeks, and more than 90 percent born at 26 to 27 weeks, survive. It is rare for a baby weighing less than 500 g (17.6 ounces) to survive. Looking at Northam’s remarks, one sees that he was NOT advocating infanticide but in fact describing the conflicts and decisions that the parents with the physician must make in such cases.