Case Analysis
This scenario is a typical vignette that health care providers are challenged with daily. Many women and families are faced with the ethical dilemma of aborting a fetus whose anatomy and physiology are incompatible with life. The following questions are being presented to Mariana? Should she allow Dr. Wilson to induce labor, thus terminating the pregnancy? Or shall she continue with the pregnancy and prepare for the birth of a child, whose prognosis is poor? The expectation is that Mariana, her family, and the providers shall come to an agreement about delivery and care of the newborn, while staying consistent with the Catholic Institution’s fundamentals.
Dr. Wilson has noted fetal abnormalities via routine ultrasounds. He has …show more content…
A cell is human if the genetic blueprint of the cell is human DNA” (Powell, 2017). According to the Catholic Church, life begins at the moment of conception. Scientists have defined the term living as the, “self-sustaining biological processes [including] homeostasis, organization, metabolism, growth, development, adaptation, response to stimuli, and reproduction” (Powell, 2017). Personhood has varying definitions. We shall define personhood as, “the ability of the developing human being to exist apart from the biological environment of the mother” (Powell, 2017). The Catholic Church has stated that the sanctity of life shall continue until the moment of death (ERDS, 2009). Although the newborn has numerous anomalies, does the fetus still have a heartbeat? Does the fetus have any brain activity? The brain activity may not be able to be determined until the fetus is born. Although the chances that the pregnancy may end in a miscarriage or stillbirth, Mariana’s baby is currently …show more content…
Wilson has also stated that to deliver the newborn vaginally could cause the baby unnecessary stress; however, to deliver the baby by cesarean section could be an unwarranted surgery also posing surgical risks to Mariana. As Mariana desires to carry the baby to term and would like every effort made possible to save the baby, I think that with informed consent Mariana is entitled to a caesarean section if necessary. Do not put the newborn in unnecessary trauma and increase the possibility of a live birth. The principle of respect for autonomy shall be associated with allowing Mariana to make her own decision about which health care interventions she will or will not receive.
According to Dr. Wilson, Mariana’s baby, has virtually no chance of surviving after birth. Knowing this information, Mariana and her family have expressed that they would still like the best possible care provided for their newborn. Dr. Wilson, the neonatologist, and all other providers shall thoroughly discuss and inform Mariana of all viable treatment options for the newborn. Mariana and the providers shall draft a treatment plan specifying the kind and degree of routine and aggressive interventions that shall be applied. An advanced directive shall be drafted prior to the
This scenario is a typical vignette that health care providers are challenged with daily. Many women and families are faced with the ethical dilemma of aborting a fetus whose anatomy and physiology are incompatible with life. The following questions are being presented to Mariana? Should she allow Dr. Wilson to induce labor, thus terminating the pregnancy? Or shall she continue with the pregnancy and prepare for the birth of a child, whose prognosis is poor? The expectation is that Mariana, her family, and the providers shall come to an agreement about delivery and care of the newborn, while staying consistent with the Catholic Institution’s fundamentals.
Dr. Wilson has noted fetal abnormalities via routine ultrasounds. He has …show more content…
A cell is human if the genetic blueprint of the cell is human DNA” (Powell, 2017). According to the Catholic Church, life begins at the moment of conception. Scientists have defined the term living as the, “self-sustaining biological processes [including] homeostasis, organization, metabolism, growth, development, adaptation, response to stimuli, and reproduction” (Powell, 2017). Personhood has varying definitions. We shall define personhood as, “the ability of the developing human being to exist apart from the biological environment of the mother” (Powell, 2017). The Catholic Church has stated that the sanctity of life shall continue until the moment of death (ERDS, 2009). Although the newborn has numerous anomalies, does the fetus still have a heartbeat? Does the fetus have any brain activity? The brain activity may not be able to be determined until the fetus is born. Although the chances that the pregnancy may end in a miscarriage or stillbirth, Mariana’s baby is currently …show more content…
Wilson has also stated that to deliver the newborn vaginally could cause the baby unnecessary stress; however, to deliver the baby by cesarean section could be an unwarranted surgery also posing surgical risks to Mariana. As Mariana desires to carry the baby to term and would like every effort made possible to save the baby, I think that with informed consent Mariana is entitled to a caesarean section if necessary. Do not put the newborn in unnecessary trauma and increase the possibility of a live birth. The principle of respect for autonomy shall be associated with allowing Mariana to make her own decision about which health care interventions she will or will not receive.
According to Dr. Wilson, Mariana’s baby, has virtually no chance of surviving after birth. Knowing this information, Mariana and her family have expressed that they would still like the best possible care provided for their newborn. Dr. Wilson, the neonatologist, and all other providers shall thoroughly discuss and inform Mariana of all viable treatment options for the newborn. Mariana and the providers shall draft a treatment plan specifying the kind and degree of routine and aggressive interventions that shall be applied. An advanced directive shall be drafted prior to the