Pomoc rodzicom w akceptacji kontynuowania ciąży po negatywnej diagnozie prenatalnej

Abstract

Human life begins at the moment of conception. According to science the fetus is a human being, and as such obtains the right to life and all the other human rights, from the very moment of conception. To respect these rights, it is crucial to prepare parents for their parenthood in mental, physical and financial aspects, both in their private life and in medical field. The vital aspects in perinatal care are: proper pregnant women care, access to professional examination, three-level prenatal care system as well as promoting healthy nutrition and life style. In case of perinatal diagnosis indicating a fetal disease, an attempt can be made to treat an ill child during pregnancy and to plan the child’s delivery in a highly – specialized medical centre, where the newborn can obtain appropriate help just after birth. If, however, the modern medicine is not able to help, the child’s parents should be well prepared for the bad ending of the pregnancy, including the baby’s death. According to current Polish law the woman (the mother) or both parents – are not allowed to make a decision to terminate pregnancy in case of congenital defect causing impairment or incurable disease in a child. Due to that fact, the parents’, especially mother’s acceptance of continuation of the pregnancy after negative prenatal diagnosis seems to be of vital importance. Child care is a basic test of human attitude towards one another. The right to life is the basic human right. It is not an issue of a worldview or a religious law, as some public opinion may claim. Helping parents in accepting continuation of the pregnancy in case of fetal defect involves professional medical as well as psychological, psychotherapeutic, pedagogical and spiritual help.

Keywords

• conceived child
• ill child
• negative prenatal diagnosis
• right to life