Ethical Care of Pregnant Patients During Labor, Delivery, and Nonobstetric Surgery

Carlos Delgado1, Jo Davies2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Box 356540, Seattle WA 98195, USA.

PubMed

The 4 basic principles of ethics (beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice) can guide clinical decision-making for the pregnant patient during labor and delivery, as well as when undergoing nonobstetric surgery. An evidence-based decision-making conversation with the patient facilitates obtaining informed consent. When maternal-fetal conflict arises, both during labor and delivery and nonobstetric surgery, beneficence-based obligations to both parties should be considered, with discussions and decisions well documented. Labor is not an impediment to women providing consent for care. A careful balance between evidence-based clinical judgment and patient autonomy is necessary when addressing cesarean delivery.

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