Maternal/fetal rights: two views

The autonomy of a pregnant woman is seriously compromised if she is pressured, threatened, or forced to submit to medical or surgical treatment to which she does not consent. The missionary zeal of physicians, judges, and society to save the at-risk fetus at times violates the competent woman's right to make decisions about the integrity of her body. All avenues must be explored to preserve the health of the fetus, but at the same time, the mother's need for self-determination must be respected. Inevitably, clinical emergencies requiring a choice between the life of the fetus and that of the mother will arise. In crisis situations the pregnant woman has a right to choose.