The patient is a 35-year old woman in her first pregnancy. She was very committed to a natural delivery for her daughter. The fetus’s sex had been identified on ultrasound examination and provided to the patient at her request. At 36 weeks gestation, the patient was diagnosed by ultrasound examination by her primary obstetrician to have complete Placenta Previa.
The primary obstetrician referred the patient to Dr. de Beau for evaluation. When the patient when presented in labor, ultrasound examination showed that the Placenta Previa was still present. The patient was term (38 weeks) and nearly fully dilated with ruptured membranes. An IV line was placed, which the patient did not refuse. Contractions were about 10 minutes apart and the patient had some vaginal bleeding. The fetal heart rate was normal at the time. Another diagnostic test,” Fetal Non-Stress Strip, indicated that there was one deceleration (decreased heart rate) during a particularly strong contraction, but the recover was quick and spontaneous.
Dr. de Beau proceeded to perform a cesarean delivery that resulted in a healthy baby girl. The patient had no complications and was discharged home with her baby after recovering from her cesarean delivery.
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After birth, the parents take on beneficence in their obligations towards their child. Unlike the right-to-life approach, the infant is considered a separate patient, only after delivery. Thus, as per medical indication, risk-benefit principles need to be considered for the facts and opinions concerning the pregnant woman. This approach clashes with the right-to-life approach, where the pregnant patient’s preference is secondary to the fetus’ preference to be