Does obstetric ethics have any role in the obstetrician's response to the abortion controversy?

Article Abstract:

Obstetric ethics, a branch of medical ethics, tries to characterize the ethical obligations of physicians to patients and to other parties of the physician-patient relationship, such as family members, hospitals, and insurers. The position is defended that obstetric ethics has a role to play in obstetricians' responses to the controversy over abortion. Although debate waxes over the question of the independent moral status of the fetus, no common ground for warring sides can be found, and consequently no resolution. Obstetric ethics, though, does not need to verify the independent moral status of the fetus. Its focus is on the dependent moral status of the fetus, when it asks, When is the fetus a patient? When the fetus is not a patient, the pregnant woman's wishes regarding abortion can be heeded. Patients do not need to be persons, defined in a philosophical sense as rational, self-conscious entities; neonates are patients. Viability can be considered to be an ethically significant point; it is the beginning of the continuum of development into a person. Medical ethics holds that physicians are bound to prevent death when it is possible and reasonable. Such beneficence-based obligations imply that only minimal attempts need be made to prevent death for fetuses with anomalies that will probably be fatal. Nonviable fetuses in the third-trimester of pregnancy are not patients, and premature termination is ethically acceptable. Aborting fetuses to whom beneficence-based obligations are owed is not justifiable, unless a serious threat to the mother's own life is present. Prior to viability, neither the pregnant woman nor her physician are obligated to consider the fetus a person. The physician's private conscience does not govern actions taken as an obstetrician; this issue is discussed in detail. Residents cannot be required to perform abortions, since this may violate their private consciences. An educational program that does not allow residents to perform abortions is justifiable, as long as it does not eliminate access to abortion in a community. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Evaluation, Abortion, Medical ethics, Obstetrics, Obstetricians

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Prenatal informed consent for sonogram: an indication for obstetric ultrasonography

Article Abstract:

Ultrasonography, an imaging procedure that uses high frequency sound to visualize internal structures, can be used to diagnose the age, size and position of a fetus, in addition to detecting abnormalities, multiple fetuses and other complications of pregnancy. The current obstetrical practice advocated by the National Institute of Health recommends use of ultrasonography in pregnant women only when a benefit is expected by performing the procedure. The routine use of ultrasound on every pregnant woman is controversial. It is suggested that the current standard of care include a prenatal informed consent for sonogram (PICS) which presents the advantages and disadvantages of sonography to enable the woman to make an informed decision whether or not to have a sonogram. This PICS is an opportunity to improve the autonomy of the pregnant woman while ultimately contributing to the humanizing of obstetrical care.

Laws, regulations and rules, Informed consent (Medical law), Informed consent, Prenatal ultrasonography, Ultrasonics in obstetrics

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Evidence-based obstetric ethics and informed decision-making by pregnant women about invasive diagnosis after first-trimester assessment of risk for trisomy 21

Article Abstract:

The ability of pregnant women to incorporate sophisticated screening information regarding risk assessment into their decisions about invasive testing in an appropriate way is determined. Scientifically and ethically rational decisions about invasive testing for trisomy 21 were made by pregnant women with the help of sophisticated screening information.

United States, Public affairs, Ethics, Health aspects, Diagnosis, Pregnant women, Down syndrome, Diagnostic imaging

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