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Selected ethical issues in the Perinatology
KUBAŠTOVÁ, Zdeňka
Special literature analysis with special focus on ethical issues in perinatal period. Comparison of acquired information with opinion of postpartum women and Faculty of Health and Social Studies students concerning the surrogate mothers issue. The theoretical part of this thesis covers processing of selected ethical issues related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium in both mother and child. There are many contentious issues concerning this period. The first goal was to find out (by means of a questionnaire) what the current generation of laboring women?s opinion on ethical issues is. The next part of the research analysis was opinion of Faculty of Health of Social Studies students on surrogate motherhood. The third step was to find out more about and suggest possible changes in treatment approaches in the delivery room. To assess the results, descriptive statistics method was applied, which is used in scientific research. A total amount of 92 women hospitalized in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the hospital of České Budějovice in January 2013 answered a set of several closed questions. The question concerning role of surrogate mothers was answered by students of Faculty of Health and Social Studies in an e-learning forum. A total of 47 respondents took part in the discussion. Having compared the data gained with special literature analysis, I have made the following findings. The artificial insemination has become a common routine in the view of the current generation of mothers-to-be. As for the view on surrogate motherhood, there were differences between the opinion of postpartum women (rather negative) and the opinion of Faculty of Health and Social Studies students, who would predominantly endorse this practice, yet mentioned the need of statutory regulation. The dissimilarity of opinion is probably an individual matter. The postpartum women had their own child, whereas the students were not aware of their potential difficulty getting pregnant. The majority of the women interviewed would opt for abortion if recommended by a physician when diagnosed with congenital developmental defect in the fetus. However, I am now aware what level of awareness there is of possible complications associated with this surgery. Should the delivery come to pass, the vast majority of respondents would keep the child, however much handicapped, in the family. Most mothers would prefer to be informed about their child?s disease despite the fact that current medical knowledge would not have a cure for the disease. I positively appraise the women?s views related to preference of natural birth to operative birth and good response to delivery and post-delivery care in the hospital. Most respondents disagreed with the abolition of blanket calmetisation. It remains a question though, if they are fully informed about the secondary complications of this vaccination. Only few women interviewed are informed about undoubtedly interesting work of internationally recognized child psychologist Jiřina Prekopová. Based on the analysis of all information gained I came to the conclusion that even in the future it will not be possible to find unambiguous answers to some questions. It is necessary to carefully consider all decisions, especially in perinatal period, as it is not only the mother?s, but also the child?s life that matters and the effects may jeopardize the relationships in the whole family. This thesis may serve as educational material for Faculty of Health and Social Studies students, but above all it should address medical staff members and make them think about working procedure. It could also inform general public about current ethical problems.
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