Fatal Fetal Diagnosis And Ethical Dilemmas

The Fatal Choice The aim of this paper is to discuss the ethical decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy after the diagnosis of a fatal fetal condition. Through the use of previous articles and discussions on this topic, both views will be explored with facts. The decision to terminate or continue a pregnancy falls on the parents, and there are many factors that go into making this decision. The term fatal fetal condition, or lethal malformation has many definitions, and finding just one is difficult. Some definitions are; a condition that invariably leads to fetal death in utero, a condition that leads to death in utero or in the newborn period, and also a condition that has been associated with death in utero, or in the newborn period …show more content…
To begin, this paragraph focuses on the ethical dilemma to continue a pregnancy that has been given a fatal fetal diagnosis. The decision to continue the pregnancy can be linked to emotional connections between the family and the unborn child, prognostic uncertainty as to what will and will not happen, practical reasons that prevent the family from termination such as how far along in the pregnancy they are and also personal beliefs. As with any diagnosis, there is the chance that circumstances can change, or improve, and each parent wants to believe this will be the case for their situation so this can play a major role in deciding to continue the pregnancy. As with any dilemma, there are both positives and negatives that can arise from the situation. Some positives shown in studies from continuing the pregnancy are letting the baby get the most out of life as long as they end up living, they hold out hope the baby will live through the issue or the issue will resolve, they feel stronger after the situation and their families feel stronger, and they get the time they need to deal and cope with the situation they are in (Guon, Wilfond, Farlow, Brazg, & Janvier, 2013). Though continuing the pregnancy can be a growing experience for the family, the above positives can also become negatives. This can occur when family holds out hope for the unborn child and then the child dies, emotional distress can occur, and grief and even post-traumatic stress disorder can arise as well when the baby does end up dying (Cote '-Arsenault & Denney-Koelsch, 2011). There is also a negative effect when through the death, the family must grieve multiple losses in that they do not get a healthy baby, they lose the chance at a normal pregnancy experience, and they do not get to raise their child, and with this can come depression and resentment (Cote '-Arsenault & Denney-Koelsch, 2011). Through both these positives and negative, there are