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Chapter-14 Maternal–Fetal Conflict

BOOK TITLE: Ethical Dilemmas in Perinatal Medicine

Author
1. Schenker Joseph G
2. Fasouliotis Sosus J
ISBN
9789380704050
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11363_14
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2010
Pages
7
Author Affiliations
1. Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Centre, Jerusalem, Israel, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, International Academy of Human Reproduction; Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Hadassah-University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
2. Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Pregnant women generally follow the medical recommendations of their physicians that are intended for the benefit of their baby. For health professionals, conflict arises when the pregnant woman chooses behaviors that have the potential to harm the developing fetus. Such situations include a broad range of possible interventions, non-interventions, and coercive influences. In such cases, the attending physician is expected to attain an attitude that involves either the respect of the woman\'s autonomy and right to privacy, which precludes any approach other than to accept her decision, or to modify this absolute for the beneficence of the fetus. Debate is ongoing about whether criminal penalties should be imposed on women based solely on their use of alcohol and other addiction drugs during pregnancy. Current ethical viewpoints range from absolute respect for maternal autonomy with no persuasion allowed, to gentle persuasion and to others which permit intervention and overriding of the woman\'s autonomy. Court-ordered decisions enforcing the pregnant woman to undergo a procedure in order to improve fetal outcome have been criticized as an invasion of a woman\'s privacy, limitation of her autonomy, and taking away of her right to informed consent.

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