[Permanent Pajamas]

As someone who was born a month late, I found this pretty stupid - Doctor Threatens To Call Cops On Pregnant Woman If She Doesn’t Have Emergency C-Section

[Nicks_Nose]

Originally Posted by Permanent Pajamas

As someone who was born a month late, I found this pretty stupid - Doctor Threatens To Call Cops On Pregnant Woman If She Doesn’t Have Emergency C-Section

What bothered me was a comment about the mother. Many people validly mentioned that media cannot be relied upon to provide the full story. They will write only what will bring readers.

While we do not know the extent of her risks, I could understand the challenges of having another child at home and nobody to look after the child if I have an emergency. Who will take care of my child? While it is advised to be prepared for such things, especially if you know a baby could come anytime, workplaces do not always allow people to up and leave at any given time (the husband), and childcare can be available only at certain times or next to nil depending how well off one is or where one lives. People do not always live in a neighbourhood where people can be easily trusted with a child's welfare. So before the people in the comments section start bashing this mother-to-be for "making excuses" consider that her reasoning could be very valid.

[Travelinglady]

I'm not sure the police should have been called in, unless the law could interpret this situation as one in which by failing to have a c-section, the mother could cause the baby to die.

However, the article did say the baby was in distress and really needed to be delivered ASAP or it might actually die. Frankly, I don't understand why the mother wasn't more concerned about it.

[Dante'sStoker]

“In Dr. Yankowitz’s defense, and all of the other physicians there, I don’t think they are trying to cover themselves. I think they really do have the best interests of my child and myself at heart,” Epsteen told the Times. “On the other hand, this is not the way to go about protecting my baby or me.”

Dr. Yankowitz did send an apology to Epsteen. She is planned to give birth to her fifth child Friday.

The ethical and legal issues are complex. I hope baby and mother are fine.

[ECHOES]

I think the mother is being astoundingly selfish and not concerned enough for her unborn, high-risk pregnancy child. I hope all goes well for her and her baby.

I don't think police are the answer. I do think pregnant women have responsibilities and should not be allowed to be neglectful to their unborn when they are pregnant. This goes for all behaviors that could harm the child. The child should not have to wait to be born to be protected.

People disregard medical advise all the time. Steve Jobs threw his life away because he disregarded medical advice initially when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He gambled (with use of alternative medicine) and lost. We use doctors to advise us, and we have that option to accept or ignore their advice. That doesn't bother me when it just concerns them, but if it endangers others, then that's a different matter.

Edited to add that she delivered a healthy 11 pound baby boy by schedules c-section yesterday. Both are doing well