[Medical abortion and fetuses born lifeless registration]

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Medicine
• Fetal Development
• Maternal-Fetal Health

Background:

• Late miscarriages, in utero fetal demise, and medical abortions result in the delivery of a stillborn fetus.
• Advances in contraception, ultrasound, and assisted reproductive technologies have altered perceptions of pregnancy and the fetus.
• Prenatal diagnosis enables the anticipation of severe fetal conditions, previously identified only after birth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted aspects of perinatal care for parents experiencing fetal loss.
• To analyze the emotional and practical challenges faced by parents throughout the process of fetal anomaly diagnosis and termination.
• To guide healthcare professionals in providing sensitive and legally compliant support to grieving parents.

Main Methods:

• Review of current practices in perinatal medicine concerning stillbirth and termination of pregnancy.
• Analysis of the evolving societal and medical perspectives on the fetus and pregnancy.
• Examination of ethical considerations in managing parental requests for fetal recognition and ritualization.

Main Results:

• The care of fetal loss involves a complex process from anomaly detection to pregnancy termination.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration among perinatal professionals is crucial for effective management.
• Parental desires for recognizing or ritualizing the loss vary, necessitating individualized and respectful approaches.
• Maintaining the legal status of the embryo/fetus and the legitimacy of pregnancy termination are paramount.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal care for fetal loss demands a nuanced approach that respects parental grief while upholding legal frameworks.
• Healthcare providers must navigate the emotional complexities of fetal demise with sensitivity and professional diligence.
• Future care strategies should integrate ethical considerations with evolving medical capabilities and societal values.