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Informed consent and the redefining of conception: a decision ill-conceived?
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky 40292, USA. JASPINO1@ulkyvm.louisville.edu
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
|December 16, 1998
Summary
Most obstetricians and gynecologists define conception as fertilization, not implantation, contrary to ACOG guidelines. This discrepancy may impact informed consent processes in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Definitions of conception and pregnancy onset vary.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) provides specific definitions.
- Clinical practice may not align with established guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical use of ACOG definitions for conception and pregnancy onset.
- To explore how differing definitions impact informed consent.
- To identify discrepancies between ACOG guidelines and member practices.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to members of the Louisville Ob/Gyn Society.
- Questions addressed definitions of conception and pregnancy onset.
- Logistic regression analysis evaluated responses based on practice type, years in practice, and ACOG membership.
Main Results:
- 73% of respondents defined conception as fertilization; 24% as implantation.
- 50% believed pregnancy begins at fertilization; 48% at implantation.
- No significant relationship was found between responses and practice characteristics.
Conclusions:
- ACOG definitions are not consistently adopted by its members.
- Practitioner definitions align more with lay and embryologist views.
- Ambiguities in definitions may jeopardize informed consent.