1990/06/01 by Robert P.S. Jansen · 1 citation
Medicine · Psychology · #Computer science #Medicine #Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics #Psychoanalysis #Psychology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1136/jme.16.2.61
openalex publication_date 1990/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
A fetus may survive an intentional interference with its intrauterine environment (1) if gestational age is mistaken and the procedure of induced abortion does not kill the fetus, (2) if a change of heart takes place after abortifacient drugs are taken and the abortion does not proceed, and (3) if a high-multiple pregnancy is reduced to a singleton or a twin pregnancy to improve the likelihood that the remaining fetuses will reach viability. In each case, through cause or coincidence, an abnormal baby may be born. The well-intentioned physician, responding to a patient's medical or psychological needs, risks a legal action in negligence or assault brought by a deformed surviving child. This hazard means that medical termination of pregnancy and selective pregnancy reduction put the practising physician at substantial risk in a way not usually associated with induced abortion.