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Written question asked by Sally-Ann Hart (Conservative) on Monday, 16 May 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 May 2022. It was answered by Maggie Throup (Conservative) on Monday, 23 May 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Abortion: Analgesics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidence base is to support the use of fetal analgesia during in-utero surgery for spina bifida from 19 weeks' gestation, but not its use before the termination of a pregnancy at the same gestation.

Answer

The Department does not set clinical practice. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has considered the issue of fetal pain and awareness in its guidelines ‘The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (Evidence-based Clinical Guideline No. 7)’ and ‘Fetal Awareness: Review of Research and Recommendations for Practice’, which are available at the following links:

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/abortion-guideline_web_1.pdf

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/rcogfetalawarenesswpr0610.pdf

The Royal College is currently reviewing these guidelines to consider the latest evidence on fetal pain and fetal awareness. It has advised that that the difference in approach in the use of fetal analgesia for in-utero surgery for spinda bifida is related to the fetal stress response, which is not related to fetal pain and the need for the fetus to be immobilised during spinal surgery. There is also evidence that the stress response could impact ongoing development of the fetus.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2703
Session
2022-23
Related items
Abortion: Analgesics
Thursday, 6 October 2022
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Abortion Spina bifida Analgesics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk