Facing a Difficult Choice: A couple in their mid-30s is pregnant with their second child after numerous unsuccessful attempts with artificial insemination. During a routine ultrasound at 28 weeks, the...

Facing a Difficult Choice: A couple in their mid-30s is pregnant with their second child after numerous unsuccessful attempts with artificial insemination. During a routine ultrasound at 28 weeks, the physician discovers that the fetus is anencephalic. The physician explains that anencephaly is a terrible condition for which there is no cure and no standard treatment. He informs them that the baby’s prognosis is extremely poor and death will probably occur within a few hours to days after birth. He explains that major portions of the baby’s brain, skull, and scalp will be missing. The baby will have no forebrain or cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The baby will be disfigured and the brain tissue that remains may be exposed to view. The baby will probably be blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. The couple struggles with the choice to terminate the pregnancy at this time or to carry the child to term. They know that if they decide to carry the child to term, they will need to make future decisions about the level of aggressiveness of treatment such as resuscitation, life support, and artificial nutrition.


Facing a Difficult Choice: A couple in their mid-30s is pregnant with their second child after numerous unsuccessful attempts with artificial insemination. During a routine ultrasound at 28 weeks, the physician discovers that the fetus is anencephalic. The physician explains that anencephaly is a terrible condition for which there is no cure and no standard treatment. He informs them that the baby’s prognosis is extremely poor and death will probably occur within a few hours to days after birth. He explains that major portions of the baby’s brain, skull, and scalp will be missing. The baby will have no forebrain or cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating part of the brain). The baby will be disfigured and the brain tissue that remains may be exposed to view. The baby will probably be blind, deaf, unconscious, and unable to feel pain. The couple struggles with the choice to terminate the pregnancy at this time or to carry the child to term. They know that if they decide to carry the child to term, they will need to make future decisions about the level of aggressiveness of treatment such as resuscitation, life support, and artificial nutrition.