Mother or Baby? Whose Life Should Be Saved?

Angela C. was a 28-year old married woman who was approximately twenty-six weeks pregnant. She had suffered from cancer since she was thirteen-years-old but had been in remission for approximately two years before she became pregnant. The pregnancy was planned, and she very much looked forward to the birth. Her health seemed reasonably good until about the twenty-fifth week of pregnancy, when a tumor was found in her lung.

• How should the decision be made as whether to save either the baby’s life or that of the mother?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)