Over 60,000 abortions in U.S. occur after 15 weeks, when pre-born babies can feel pain 

The year 2023 saw an estimated 1.03 million abortions performed in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute, the pro-abortion research arm founded by Planned Parenthood over 50 years ago. 

Based on the most recent abortion statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI), a pro-life scientific and medical research group, estimated that at least 6%, or around 61,900 of those abortions, were performed at 15 weeks or later into pregnancy in 2023. 

In actuality the numbers for abortions after 15 weeks are likely much higher: Because states are not required to report abortion statistics, available data is sketchy, at best. 

For example, notes CLI, “some of the highest abortion-volume states (California, New Jersey, and Maryland) do not report any abortion data to the CDC. Furthermore, high abortion-volume states such as New York do not report data on gestational age to the CDC even though they report abortion totals.” 

Thus, the high volume of unreported abortions in states such as New York, California, New Jersey, Illinois and Michigan could mean the total for the deadly procedure beyond 15 weeks is much higher than CLI’s estimates. 

Of course, while any intentional death of a pre-born baby is grievous, the unspeakable pain felt by a child forming in a mother’s womb becomes a vital issue beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy. 

“Although historically many doctors believed that unborn babies could not feel pain until the third trimester or even well after birth,” reported CLI, “the modern scientific literature shows that unborn babies can feel pain by 15 weeks gestation, and possibly as early as 12 weeks.” 

Pro-abortion lobbyists argue medical complications and emergencies often make abortions a requirement at 15 weeks and beyond. However, research shows women who choose abortion after the first trimester typically do so for the same reasons they opt for earlier abortions. 

For instance, a survey of 400 women who received abortions after 15 weeks revealed that delays in recognizing that they were pregnant prompted over half of the women to put off the procedure until the second trimester. 

A separate survey of over 1,200 women similarly found that, most often, women delay abortions because of difficulty in arranging the procedure, hesitation in deciding to end a baby’s life or delays in recognizing a pregnancy. 

Substandard data reporting by states and abortion providers makes it impossible to determine with any accuracy the number of abortions that are performed at 15 weeks and beyond. However, noted CLI, “the best available data indicates that the total is likely at least 60,000, and at least 275 abortion centers around the country perform abortions at 15 weeks or later. 

“Abortions on unborn babies who are capable of feeling pain is a gruesome problem that is likely to worsen in the states that allow late-term abortion, potentially driving up the late-term abortion total at the national level.”