FallingPianos

a few years ago, a utah woman was charged with murder because one of her twins was born stillborn after she refused to undergo a c-section. BBC NEWS | Americas | Mother charged in Caesarean row

other women across the country have been forced to undergo c-sections and other medical intervention by court order after refusing to undergo them voluntarily.

this poll is pretty straight forward...

if a woman giving birth in a hospital runs into complications that could kill the baby if she didn't have a c-section, and she declined a c-section, would it be alright to force her to undergo the c-section anyway?

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StrawHat

Possibly. At that point, the babies are viable. One can't legitimately deny them life, in my opinion. I would have to ask, why does the mother not want a cessarian secession. I mean, i've heard of women who actually prefer them for various reasons. I think it's a bit extreme to charge with murder if a baby is stillborn because of refusal to undergo a medical procedure. At worst, that's manslaughter, but mostly it's just stupidity. You can't criminalize stupidity, though sometimes, it might be a good idea...

Hatuey

I don't think you can force a woman to have c-sections....However I wouldn't judge a doctor too harshly if he had enough reason..

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Is Intolerant Because He Won't Let The Intolerant Run Other People's Lives.

TOJ

Before 5 Nov 2003, Intact Dialation and Extraction, commonly referred to as Partial-birth abortion was legal and I would guess many on DP think it still should be.

Willow

It's too Orwellian to trust the government to order anyone to undergo any type of medical procedure.
Plus many of the ceasarians sections that are being performed today are not necessary. That being said however a true emergency c- section is usually decided on in minutes and if the mother is incapable because of either extreme emotional stress, pain or medication of making the decision then I think her doctor who is hopefully someone she knows and trusts, has every right to make it for her.

Jerry

It's a sad day when a mother would decline a c-section knowing it would kill her child.

The better question is: What is wrong with the woman who wouldn't have a c-section to save her child?

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Lerxst was right
......Lerxst is always right
!Lerxst in 2012!

RightinNYC

If the mother is of sound state and mind to make the decision, then no, you cannot force her to have one.

If she has authorized a doctor to make her medical decisions, then yes, he can decide for her to have one.

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People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

1069

Excuse me, but you need to rephrase that to "If the mother is of sound state and mind to make the decision, then no, you should not be able to force her to have one."

Because many states do force pregnant women to have c-sections against their will, and prosecute them if they refuse or flee the hospital.
Melissa Ann Rowland is not the only woman who has been legally forced- and or prosecuted after the fact- for declining c-section.

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Lightdemon: "Is 10 going to outer space or something?"
Jerry: "...yes, 10 is going to outerspace."

jamesrage

Yes because the baby could die as a result of the mother not having the c-section.

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1069

Thanks, James. I hadn't realized that RightinNYC had changed his name to 1069.
Perhaps I'll call the police and report him for identity theft.