Background and Significance Non-maleficence and autonomy are two moral principles that are used as a guide to decide what is right or wrong, but when the two values contradict each other, such as in elective abortion, a controversy arises. Those who worthy the principle of non-maleficence believe that electively terminating a pregnancy is comparable to inducing harm to another person since an unborn fetus is entitled to human rights. In opposition, those who favor autonomy over non-maleficence believe that it is a women’s choice to do what is best for not only her future but also the unborn child’s future. Regardless of one’s personal beliefs, the negative connotations and the association of abortion with murder has ultimately made elective
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Those who are pro-choice examine every aspect of a women’s reasoning for terminating her pregnancy before they draw inferences about her character. Supporters understand how elements such as financial instability, an absent support system, and not being emotionally ready to parent can be destructive to a child’s development (Foster et al., 2014). Women who choose to terminate their pregnancy recognize that these factors predispose their unborn child to possible neglect and react to the best interest for herself and the fetus. In circumstances when a pregnant women discovers that her child has an untreatable congenital anomaly some view that an abortion is the most logical outcome for the situation (Ballantyne et al., …show more content…
Before caring for these women, it is necessary for nurses to reflect upon their beliefs and personal biases in order to find the appropriate balance between maintaining their values while also withholding professional responsibilities (Cappiello & Simmonds, 2011). In order to provide the highest quality of care, nurses need to build a trusting interpersonal relationship with their patients. If a nurse experiences moral distress because their values conflict with the patients, there can be a significance consequence to the relationship. By performing a self-evaluation, nurses can determine how they may respond in a particular situation and then can decide whether or not they will be able to provide care for that
Those who are pro-choice examine every aspect of a women’s reasoning for terminating her pregnancy before they draw inferences about her character. Supporters understand how elements such as financial instability, an absent support system, and not being emotionally ready to parent can be destructive to a child’s development (Foster et al., 2014). Women who choose to terminate their pregnancy recognize that these factors predispose their unborn child to possible neglect and react to the best interest for herself and the fetus. In circumstances when a pregnant women discovers that her child has an untreatable congenital anomaly some view that an abortion is the most logical outcome for the situation (Ballantyne et al., …show more content…
Before caring for these women, it is necessary for nurses to reflect upon their beliefs and personal biases in order to find the appropriate balance between maintaining their values while also withholding professional responsibilities (Cappiello & Simmonds, 2011). In order to provide the highest quality of care, nurses need to build a trusting interpersonal relationship with their patients. If a nurse experiences moral distress because their values conflict with the patients, there can be a significance consequence to the relationship. By performing a self-evaluation, nurses can determine how they may respond in a particular situation and then can decide whether or not they will be able to provide care for that