At what age of viability can a fetus potentially survive outside the uterus with medical care?

A fetus is considered to reach the stage of viability at approximately 22 weeks of gestation. Viability refers to the ability of the fetus to survive outside the womb with the help of medical intervention. Although advances in neonatal care have made it possible for some extremely premature infants to survive earlier, 22 weeks is the generally accepted point at which survival becomes more feasible. Outcomes at this stage are highly variable and are influenced by many factors, including the quality of medical care available and the specific health conditions of the baby.

At 20 weeks, the fetus is still developing crucial systems that are not yet mature enough to support life independently, such as the lungs and other vital organs. By 24 weeks, the fetus has a better chance of survival, as its lungs and other organ systems are further developed, but 22 weeks is the critical point where some babies may begin to survive with significant medical support. At 28 weeks, survival rates increase substantially, but this marks a later stage than the recognized point of viability.