Should all pregnant women have an ultrasound examination?
This paper addresses the question whether all pregnant women should have an ultrasound examination. We used the methods of ethical analysis and argument to show that the principle of respect for autonomy creates an obligation to inform every pregnant woman about the availability of obstetric ultrasound in settings in which quality ultrasound is available. We considered two objections to this position, lack of benefit and excessive costs, and showed that these objections did not succeed. Obstetricians throughout the world should be advocates for informing pregnant women about the availability of routine obstetric ultrasound.
Chervenak
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The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street - M713, New York, NY 10021, USA.
McCullough
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D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005610:Freedom; D006801:Humans; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011255:Pregnancy Maintenance; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000191:economics