The Controversies of Extreme Preemies
Of all the babies that are admitted to NICUs, prematurely born children seem to be the most controversial. The controversy begins because sometimes parents must make an agonizing ethical choice of whether or not to keep their child alive when machines or the only thing doing so. Every life is worth trying to save, but there may be a point, financially, physically, and mentally, when the survival of preemies may be doing more harm than good to both the child and their parents. There are many studies and expert opinions that back the idea of going to great lengths to save the lives of extremely premature babies. It should be noted that when it comes to the controversy over ethics, “A large majority of the parents in all countries (93 to 100 percent) considered the physician’s opinion in decisions regarding resuscitation status” (Baer & Nelson, 2007). Thus, it is not only the parent’s choice to cut or continue life support, but an expert’s opinion as well. With that, many children do not survive, but for those who do, their parents are truly grateful. …show more content…
Some babies’ expenses can even build up to a staggering $1 million in the first year alone with future medical complications and expenses to follow. These facts are not only financially tolling, but mentally tolling for their parents as well. A child being unable to survive on its own during its first few weeks of life can leave its parents highly stressed, and as their conditions may be unstable or worsen at times, this only adds a stronger emotional pull on the parents. With immediate complications taken care of, there are still possibly years or lifelong disabilities to cope with and finance. The medical visits and bills can add up over time, put the parents and child at risk for emotional strain or financial distress (Kendall-Tackett,
Of all the babies that are admitted to NICUs, prematurely born children seem to be the most controversial. The controversy begins because sometimes parents must make an agonizing ethical choice of whether or not to keep their child alive when machines or the only thing doing so. Every life is worth trying to save, but there may be a point, financially, physically, and mentally, when the survival of preemies may be doing more harm than good to both the child and their parents. There are many studies and expert opinions that back the idea of going to great lengths to save the lives of extremely premature babies. It should be noted that when it comes to the controversy over ethics, “A large majority of the parents in all countries (93 to 100 percent) considered the physician’s opinion in decisions regarding resuscitation status” (Baer & Nelson, 2007). Thus, it is not only the parent’s choice to cut or continue life support, but an expert’s opinion as well. With that, many children do not survive, but for those who do, their parents are truly grateful. …show more content…
Some babies’ expenses can even build up to a staggering $1 million in the first year alone with future medical complications and expenses to follow. These facts are not only financially tolling, but mentally tolling for their parents as well. A child being unable to survive on its own during its first few weeks of life can leave its parents highly stressed, and as their conditions may be unstable or worsen at times, this only adds a stronger emotional pull on the parents. With immediate complications taken care of, there are still possibly years or lifelong disabilities to cope with and finance. The medical visits and bills can add up over time, put the parents and child at risk for emotional strain or financial distress (Kendall-Tackett,