Infanticide of defective newborns: an old midwife's story.
The story of how a midwife many years ago dealt with defective newborns is used to illustrate complete control by a system external to the family. Similarities exist with current public policy concerning the interrelated issues of abortion, neonatal euthanasia, and infanticide in which the family system is often ignored. It is argued that the family's values, expectations, and desires are relevant to the establishment of public policy in this sensitive domain.
Hontela
S
S
Research Centre, Alberta Hospital Edmonton, Canada.
Reddon
J R
JR
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000523:psychology*; D028601:Euthanasia, Active; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007237:Infanticide / Q000523:psychology*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008880:Midwifery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life