In: Psychology
I believe that a preemie or a baby having preterm birth has a life once he or she enters the world and that life should not be taken away from him or her unjustly. Although there is a chance that such babies might lead a life with disabilities in the future, we cannot deprive them of the gift of living on this planet. It's the parents' decision, rather than the doctor's, to determine if the preemie should be resuscitated or not under such circumstances. Some parents may not want a child with disabilities or may not want to see their child suffer, so they may decide not to revive the preemie's life. But, some parents may want the child to live and may be ready to spend huge amounts of money on medical treatments. So the hospital or laws cannot really determine this. In fact, they should not be allowed to make a decision for the parents. Doctors can offer suggestions and educate the parents on the implications of the treatments. They should inform them about any future complications and the chances of survival. They should also communicate the costs involved for the treatment and care. Based on these factors, the parents should be allowed to make a decision that is best for the preemie.