Mom who refused c-section pleads guilty

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2004
Mom who refused c-section pleads guilty
3
Wed, 04-07-2004 - 5:04pm
The mother who refused a c-section that resulted in the death of one of her twin babies pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangerment.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/04/07/mother.charged.ap/index.html

This story was scary for me and hit somewhat close to home. I had a c-section 4 months ago when it was found that my baby was breeched. I was not thrilled about having a c-section, mainly because I thought I wasn't giving birth "for real". My doctor tried an external version which failed and then convinced me that a c-section was the safest route for delivery. Delivery without a c-section would greatly increase the chances for injury (possibly serious injury) to the baby. I was very apprehensive about the surgery. It felt so unnatural to schedule a birth, however this is what I did in the interest of my baby (with full support of my husband, thankfully). My baby came early though, about 4 days before the scheduled c-section. I live in a small town so it was very frantic getting the doctors and surgeons to the OR before I gave birth (it was about 3am). I was near the end of labor when the surgery took place! Anyways, this story brought back the memories when I decided to go ahead with the c-section. What if I had gone the other way and opted to give birth naturally? If something happened to the baby? Would I be in this ladies shoes right now? What if....... Scary.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Thu, 04-08-2004 - 9:29am

>"Legal experts said they do not know of any other instance in the United States in which a woman was charged with murder for refusing or delaying a C-section, though some women have been forced to undergo C-sections after their doctors obtained court orders."<


If a court order can be obtained by doctors to force

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2003
Thu, 04-08-2004 - 12:59pm

I agree about the cocain and drinking, but at the same time generally speaking when you are addicted to those things you are not in your "right mind" to begin with.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2004
Thu, 04-08-2004 - 2:45pm
>"Little bit late but congratulations on the safe arrival of your little one."<

Actually (just for the record!) I made the decision one month before the due date. We scheduled the c-section for 2.5 weeks before the due date, but nature had her own idea and delivered my baby boy 4 days before the scheduled surgery!


As far as the baby in question having cocaine in her system, that is horrible of the mother. However, it is the idea of charging someone with a crime for not getting a doctor-recommended c-section that is disturbing to me. I am not defending the mother's actions, especially in regards to the drugs, however this case sets a precedent for future criminal trials of mother's who refuse c-sections. This seems to be a dangerous path to jump on.