Facing a Difficult Choice A couple in their mid-30s is pregnant with their second child after numerous unsuccessful atte
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:19 am
Facing a Difficult Choice
A couple in their mid-30s is pregnant with their second child after
numerous unsuccessful attempts with artificial insemination. During
a routine ultrasound at 28 weeks, the physician discovers that the
fetus is anencephalic. The physician explains that anencephaly is a
terrible condition for which there is no cure and no standard
treatment. He informs them that the baby’s prognosis is extremely
poor and death will probably occur within a few hours to days after
birth. He explains that major portions of the baby’s brain, skull,
and scalp will be missing. The baby will have no forebrain or
cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The
baby will be disfigured and the brain tissue that remains may be
exposed to view. The baby will probably be blind, deaf,
unconscious, and unable to feel pain. The couple struggles with the
choice to terminate the pregnancy at this time or to carry the
child to term. They know that if they decide to carry the child to
term, they will need to make future decisions about the level of
aggressiveness of treatment such as resuscitation, life support,
and artificial nutrition.
Apply the Ethical Decision-Making Model to This Case
A couple in their mid-30s is pregnant with their second child after
numerous unsuccessful attempts with artificial insemination. During
a routine ultrasound at 28 weeks, the physician discovers that the
fetus is anencephalic. The physician explains that anencephaly is a
terrible condition for which there is no cure and no standard
treatment. He informs them that the baby’s prognosis is extremely
poor and death will probably occur within a few hours to days after
birth. He explains that major portions of the baby’s brain, skull,
and scalp will be missing. The baby will have no forebrain or
cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The
baby will be disfigured and the brain tissue that remains may be
exposed to view. The baby will probably be blind, deaf,
unconscious, and unable to feel pain. The couple struggles with the
choice to terminate the pregnancy at this time or to carry the
child to term. They know that if they decide to carry the child to
term, they will need to make future decisions about the level of
aggressiveness of treatment such as resuscitation, life support,
and artificial nutrition.
Apply the Ethical Decision-Making Model to This Case