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The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) releases two Working Party reports today: Fetal Awareness and Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Abnormality. The first updates the previous report published in 1997, while the latter replaces the 1996 report. Both documents were commissioned by the Department of Health, following recommendations by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee in 2008.

A wide range of stakeholders including scientists, doctors, midwives and lay representatives were involved in producing these reports. Relevant international scientific studies published since the 1990s were considered by the respective working parties as was evidence submitted to the Science and Technology Committee. An online public consultation followed and the public were invited to submit their views. Both documents went through rigorous peer-review which included academics, ethicists and lawyers.

To reflect new research findings and the advances in clinical practice, both original documents have been completely rewritten. These two new reports contain information for clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals and the report on Fetal Awareness includes a new chapter with practical information and advice to women and parents.

-The fetus cannot feel pain before 24 weeks because the connections in the fetal brain are not fully formed

-Evidence examined by the Working Party showed that the fetus, while in the chemical environment of the womb, is in a state of induced sleep and is unconscious

-The Working Party concluded that because the 24 week-old fetus has no awareness nor can it feel pain, the use of analgesia is of no benefit

-More research is needed into the short and long-term effects of the use of fetal analgesia post-24 weeks.