Prenatal counseling and informed consent: ethical dilemma

ABSTRACT

With advancement in technology, congenital anomalies are increasingly recognized on antenatal ultrasound with great accuracy. This has opened up an entirely new field where all those who care for expectant parents and prospective baby like obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, psychologists, social workers etc are required to prove their expertise to deal with psychological issues and be able to guide expectant couple and their families as to what to expect and approach the baby born with congenital anomaly. If some life threatening condition is recognized at anomaly scan the decision of termination of pregnancy is even more difficult to make. This report describes an experience gained in dealing with one such couple whose baby on antenatal ultrasound, well beyond the age of termination of pregnancy, found to have omphalocele major. Many counseling sessions were held but the desired result was not achieved. How such problems should be dealt with in future, is discussed