Relevant Facts and Information:
Ms. C is a 20 year old patient, and in early labor at 36 weeks. At 20 weeks, she was diagnosed with placenta previa via ultrasound. At her 34 week visit, another ultrasound was done, and it also showed placenta previa. Although the ultrasound is not infallible, it is very likely that Ms. C has placenta previa. With a vaginal delivery, the mortality risk for placenta previa is 100% for the fetus and 50% for Ms. C. To minimize the risk to herself and her baby, she was advised to deliver her baby via cesarean section. However, Ms. C refuses a cesarean section. She states that she does not want “anyone experimenting on her.” She mentions that she understands the risk of having a vaginal delivery, but she would prefers the risks over surgery. She also says that with a cesarean section, she would not be able to do her job. The stitches would prevent her from performing the heavy lifting required for her job. She says that she also says that she knows someone who regretted having a cesarean section.
Now, …show more content…
The first possibility is that the doctor could perform a cesarean section, without the patient’s consent. Another course of action could be explore the idea of establishing that Ms. C lacks capacity. She mentions that she does not want doctors, “experimenting on her,” which implies that she does not truly understand the procedure. It is not an experimental procedure, but an established practice. However, despite this one quote, Ms. C seems to have capacity. Her capacity will be discussed more when the appeal to decision making rights is discussed. Another possible course of action could be to discuss the possibility of proceeding with a vaginal delivery, but switching to a cesarean section if it seems, during the delivery, that she (or perhaps even the fetus) will certainly die. Finally, another course of action would be to comply with the patient’s wishes and perform the vaginal
Ms. C is a 20 year old patient, and in early labor at 36 weeks. At 20 weeks, she was diagnosed with placenta previa via ultrasound. At her 34 week visit, another ultrasound was done, and it also showed placenta previa. Although the ultrasound is not infallible, it is very likely that Ms. C has placenta previa. With a vaginal delivery, the mortality risk for placenta previa is 100% for the fetus and 50% for Ms. C. To minimize the risk to herself and her baby, she was advised to deliver her baby via cesarean section. However, Ms. C refuses a cesarean section. She states that she does not want “anyone experimenting on her.” She mentions that she understands the risk of having a vaginal delivery, but she would prefers the risks over surgery. She also says that with a cesarean section, she would not be able to do her job. The stitches would prevent her from performing the heavy lifting required for her job. She says that she also says that she knows someone who regretted having a cesarean section.
Now, …show more content…
The first possibility is that the doctor could perform a cesarean section, without the patient’s consent. Another course of action could be explore the idea of establishing that Ms. C lacks capacity. She mentions that she does not want doctors, “experimenting on her,” which implies that she does not truly understand the procedure. It is not an experimental procedure, but an established practice. However, despite this one quote, Ms. C seems to have capacity. Her capacity will be discussed more when the appeal to decision making rights is discussed. Another possible course of action could be to discuss the possibility of proceeding with a vaginal delivery, but switching to a cesarean section if it seems, during the delivery, that she (or perhaps even the fetus) will certainly die. Finally, another course of action would be to comply with the patient’s wishes and perform the vaginal