Reflexiones sobre la conducta obstétrica en la embarazada con feto anencefálico / Reflections about the obstetric attitude towards anencephalic fetuses

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy of an anencephalic fetus generates deep thoughts about its diagnosis, treatment and management of maternal risk, having in mind the irreversibility of the fetal situation. At the present moment, there are no guidelines for labor care in these cases, probably because in most developed countries in which abortion is legal, these pregnancies are interrupted earlier. In Chile, where abortion is illegal we must deal with these situations at the end of the pregnancy period. Of 35,682 labors attended at our hospital, 14 were anencephalic fetuses. In 50 percent of these a cesarean section was done and in one, a hysterectomy was required due to uterine inertia.