Скачать или смотреть Maternal Fetal Conflict; interests of pregnant woman and fetus in conflict

Maternal-Fetal Conflict refers to situations during pregnancy where the interests of the pregnant woman and her fetus diverge—medically, ethically, or biologically. As advances in medical technology have allowed healthcare providers to treat the fetus as a separate patient, these conflicts have become more complex and frequent.

⚖️ Ethical and Legal Dimensions
Autonomy vs. Beneficence: A woman’s right to make decisions about her body may conflict with medical recommendations intended to benefit the fetus.

Examples:

Refusal of a cesarean section that could save the fetus

Declining blood transfusions or medications

Substance use or lifestyle choices that may harm fetal development

Legal Involvement: While courts have occasionally ordered interventions (e.g., forced C-sections), most physicians avoid legal action due to ethical concerns about coercion.

🧬 Biological and Evolutionary Basis
The fetus inherits genes from both parents, which may not align with the mother’s physiological interests.

Genomic Imprinting: Paternal genes may push for greater maternal resource allocation, while maternal genes may resist—leading to conditions like:

Gestational diabetes

Preeclampsia

Thyroid dysfunction

These conflicts reflect a deeper evolutionary tug-of-war over maternal investment.

🧠 Shifting Medical Models
Historically, the mother and fetus were viewed as a single unit (the maternal-fetal dyad).

Now, they are often treated as two separate patients, requiring clinicians to weigh risks and benefits for each individually.

🩺 Clinical Implications
Physicians must navigate these conflicts with sensitivity, balancing maternal rights with fetal well-being.

Ethical principles like nonmaleficence (“do no harm”) and justice come into play when deciding whether to intervene or respect maternal choice.
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