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Viability, as the word has been used in the United States constitutional law since Roe v. Wade, is the potential of the fetus to survive outside the uterus after birth, natural or induced, when supported by up-to-date medicine. Fetal viability depends largely on the fetal organ maturity, and environmental conditions. [6]
And fetal viability is the point in pregnancy when a fetus is able to survive outside of the womb. Premature babies have a 42% to 59% chance of survival ... viability is not a set point in time ...
Even in states where abortion is legal, many restrict the procedure after 'fetal viability.' Here's what that means and why some abortions happen later in pregnancy.
A pregnancy that lasts 41 weeks up to 42 weeks is called late-term and a pregnancy longer than 42 weeks is called post-term. [10] The general consensus is that a fetus is viable at 24 weeks, however, a live birth may occur earlier in gestation with the assistance from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) resources.
It is rare for a baby weighing less than 500 g (17.6 ounces) to survive. [13] A baby's chances for survival increases 3–4% per day between 23 and 24 weeks of gestation and about 2–3% per day between 24 and 26 weeks of gestation. After 26 weeks the rate of survival increases at a much slower rate because survival is high already. [15]
How Missouri defines fetal viability will be key to determining at what stage of pregnancy Missouri lawmakers can ban or restrict abortion.
Fetal viability refers to a point in fetal development at which the fetus may survive outside the womb. The lower limit of viability is approximately 5 + 3 ⁄ 4 months gestational age and is usually later. [20] There is no sharp limit of development, age, or weight at which a fetus automatically becomes viable. [21]
The chance of survival at 22 weeks is about 6%, while at 23 weeks it is 26%, 24 weeks 55% and 25 weeks about 72% as of 2016. [189] With extensive treatment up to 30% of those who survive birth at 22 weeks survive longer term as of 2019. [190] The chances of survival without long-term difficulties is less. [24]