Question

Jessica is a 30 year old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the U.S for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their aunt home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant, and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant. Four months later, Jesssica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrsaound indicates a pssible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted and it determind that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms, and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have down syndrome. Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with adistressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying out loud. Marco and Dr. Wilson continues their discussion and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent to discussing all relevant factors and options regrading the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs husband that such a choice is not his to make. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis, and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back hers tears. Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes, but is finding it difficult to not view the pregnancy and prospects of a disabled child as aburden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is "scientifically" and medically a wise choice is this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what "God intends" to take place, and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother. Write a 500-750 word analysis of this situation be sure to address the following questions.

2. How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action? What theory do you agree with?

Answer 1

Prenatal care is very important that the Jessica's would take the medical advice from the primary care physician as soon as her pregnancy has confirmed. The first trimester is very important, at this period the dramatic changes and growth of the fetus will take place. All major organs and limb bud will develop at this stage. Many factors such as drug, alcohol, lifestyle changes will affect the baby's growth. The folic acid and other vitamin supplements are essential to prevent the certain defects.

She almost completed the first trimester when consulting the primary physician. Moreover, the Mexican families, have the customs of going to the hospital at the time of delivery only. Their religious practices will not follow the prenatal medical treatment. The absence of limbs and Down syndrome occurs due to genetic disorders. The child will have the chances of developing birth defects. the child will also have the low intellectual ability which needs support throughout the life. So Dr. Wilson give the option of medical termination of pregnancy.

Mexican's culture is usually not allowed to terminate the pregnancy in most cases. Mexican's believes that everything is happened due to the will of God. So the aunt Maria forces the Jessica to continue with the pregnancy and believes the God will take the responsibilities of the child.

Jessica and Morca are working hard to hold their economic condition. If she continues with pregnancy, after childbirth she has to support the child from crawling to walking and in caring for the child throughout the life. He has to visit the physician and the therapist for her child frequently. Parenting a child with the birth defect will make the life more difficult and challengeable. Her financial crisis will make it difficult. So she is in the dilemma of her decision.

I agree with the choice of abortion which will reduce the burden in this situation. Finding the birth defect at early pregnancy will give the choices of terminating the pregnancy. The government also supporting legally in such cases. Further, proper genetic counseling and prenatal treatment will help them to have a healthy child in the future.