title: Ethical Issues in Maternal-Fetal Care Emergencies.
abstract: Ethical issues that arise in the care of pregnant women are challenging to physicians, especially in critical care situations. By familiarizing themselves with the concepts of medical ethics in obstetrics, physicians will become more capable of approaching complex ethical situations with a clear and structured framework. This review discusses ethical approaches regarding 3 specific scenarios: (1) the life of the fetus versus the life of the mother and situations of questionable maternal decision making; (2) withdrawal of care in a brain-dead pregnant patient; and (3) domestic violence and the pregnant patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maricopa Integrated Health System, District Medical Group, 2601 E Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. Electronic address: Nyima_Ali@dmgaz.org.
authors.forename: Nyima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maricopa Integrated Health System, District Medical Group, 2601 E Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 550 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.
authors.forename: Dean V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Coonrod
authors.affiliation: Department Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7120, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: McCormick
mesh_terms: D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001926:Brain Death; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000941:ethics; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000941:ethics*; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011368:Professional-Family Relations / Q000941:ethics; D026712:Value of Life; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics
keywords: Domestic violence; Emergency ethics; Ethical emergencies; Maternal emergencies; Maternal ethics