Mother v fetus: who wins?
This article examines the right of pregnant women to determine what will happen to their own bodies and whether their right to autonomy is absolute when refusing treatment which may be consider in their best interests and/or their fetuses'. A theoretical framework is used supported by relevant legal cases to argue that in some instance the rights of women to refuse treatment, most notably caesarean section have been overridden in favour of the fetus. The conclusion from the legal cases is that despite the consequences a woman's rights should not be overridden in favour of the fetus.
Newnham
Helen
H
School of Nursing, Edith Cowan University, Pearson Street, Churchlands, WA 6018. H.Newnham@ecu.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States; D014933:Women's Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*