is it right not to resuscitate a baby at 26 weeks?

Answer 1

such an impossible question to answer... as a nurse Id say no its not right depending on how unwell the baby is, but I think if it was my baby Id feel differently and want everything doing for my child! its a question where there will never be a right answer

Answer 2

No, every baby has to have an even chance at life regardless of how they came into this world, if we make a general rule of thumb as to when we can or cannot resuscitate we set a standard under which many babies that would have led a happy and fulfilled life will die.

My little boy was born ad 24 weeks and 3 days. We were told in the delivery room that he had a 5% chance of surviving the birth and would most likely be severely brain damaged. At birth my child did cry and breathe on hiw own, but due to his size (760grams) and gestation had to immediately be put onto a ventilator, he stayed on a ventilator for six weeks, moved onto CPAP for a further 8 weeks and then low flow Oxygen for 8 weeks. He was a classic textbook case of the baby they didn't believe could make it but he came home in May and is now a bright bubbly 11 month old boy. He is slightly small for his age but other than that seems to have no other complications he is bright, is meeting all his milestones for his corrected age and is a sweet loving little boy. However even if their had been problems with either his mental or physical development I would not have loved him any less.

We walk a very dangerous path when we start to debate a childs right to life based on the quality of life that child may have. No one suggests to parents of disabled children that their child may be better off dead! when a premature baby is first born there can never be any guarantees of what quality of life they will have.

Each case must be decided on an individual basis regardless of the childs gestation and the wishes of both the doctor AND the parents must be taken into consideration.

Answer 3

I saw the news story on TV and this really upset me.

Its OK for some Bureacrats in a office to make up this rule, but when its YOUR tiny fragile little baby lying there - all your hopes and dreams being dashed at the thought they might not survive it is ******* hard!!

I'm 37 weeks pregnant with a very long awaited first baby (tried unsuccessfully for years before getting pregnant) and it has been an utter terror the whole way through in case I went into premature labour etc - as I don't know if I will be able to get pregnant again - its not just a case of "oh you'll have others" - for someone like me thats not the case.

I consoled myself with the thought that if I had gone into labour prematurely, the doctors would do EVERYTHING THEY COULD to save my baby, and that babies born as young as 21 weeks have survived and grown into healthy children. to think that the doctor would say to me "Sorry Ms XXXX but your baby is not worth saving" - I don't think I could have handled it!!! They should at least TRY.

I actually know a little girl who was born at 21 and a half weeks gestation. She is 11 years old and the only problem is that she is very small (only the size of a 5 or 6 year old). But apart from that she is very healthy and happy (a talented dancer) and her parents' pride and joy. It took months and months of intensive care and several resuscitations to pull her through, but as a healthy 11 year old she proves it was worth it.

Under this new rule she would not have been allowed the chance to live.

I worry this is just another attempt to cut costs because the cost of sustaining a very sick prem baby is high and you know how they are always looking to save money.

I disagree with this ruling. Resus should only be withheld if the baby is very very sick and in pain and resuscitating would be cruel. Otherwise the doctors need to do what they are paid for and pull out every stop to save that little life. After all one day it could be THEIR tiny baby lying there at the brink of death. They might not be so matter of fact about it then.

OH and I agree w th Mark_gg_Daniels - its very wrong to suggest that if a person is going to be mentally or physically disabled they somehow are not worth saving! I have worked (dance therapy) with people who have both severe mental and physical disabilities and many of them still live very happy fulfilling lives and give their families much pleasure and happiness. You can't judge who "deserves" to live or not like that.

Answer 4

It is a formed being, therefore needs to be treated as such - and hope for the best. If in time, over a long period, the baby shows signs of not growing properly, not being able to function and there is a CERTAINTY that it will never have any standard of life, even breathe on its own, then maybe nature should be allowed to take its own course - this is if it can be proven by several specialists that the baby is in pain or is suffering.
This is a difficult topic, and even as I am writing this reply, I still am unsure if this really is my opinion. I really don't know, its a difficult one. Possibly the hardest topic that I have replied to so far. Having my own baby has really made me value precious life.

Answer 5

I am trying to understand both points of view here, however I have to say I find it completely impossible to find it acceptable to just let a baby die. I can't imagine how a doctor can stand by and watch that happen when it's his natural instinct to help people who are dying. Also, how do they know that the baby won't turn out fine anyway. I know it's a long shot, but there's a chance. However, I suppose on the other side of things, you could be saving this baby from an otherwise short and painful life.

Sorry - this one's just too hard for me to come up with an opinion.

Answer 6

Yes. Every child has a right to live life. I was born at 28 weeks and am here happy and healthy. The only minor problem is my Cerebral Palsy caused by this early birth. But it only affects my lower limbs and makes me have a little wiggle when walking and I am NOT mentally disabled in any way. I am in 3rd year at University doing a degree in HRM. For this reason I do not believe that it is right to say that all children born with disabilities have severe mental disabilities, or that they have physical disabilities severe enough for confinement to a wheelchair.

Answer 7

Baby's are kept alive if they are born after 22 weeks. At 26 weeks the survival rate is about 75%, so I dont know why the baby would not be resucitated.

Answer 8

life is life, and it should be preserved at all costs. A doctors main duty is care to his/her patients so he must resucuitate.

Also I hate this idea that ive been hearing that if the child may be disabled, it should not be resucitated. As a dicabled person myself I cant explain how bloody offensive this is. This basiclly means that disabled peopls lives are less valuable, and are expendable. This is a fascistic view, and I dont believe the media are even bringing it up quite frankly. It seems society wants to kill us off before weve even had a chance to live. And another point, disability is caused by societys treatment of us, not by our conditions.

Pah!

Answer 9

It is really up to you. Shame on any of you for deciding what is right for the family. I am a pediatric nurse and I see ALL TOO OFTEN the results of heroic efforts made on a premature baby. These children are sometimes institutionalized due to SEVERE mental and physical disabilities. IF the family is prepared to care for this child's ongoing needs then do what is necessary. If the family believes that the quality of life of the child is terrible, then choose not to. Not for the general public to decide what is right in this situation.


I FEEL I NEED TO EDIT THIS BECAUSE AS I'M READING YOUR POSTS, I THINK YOU HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD ME. THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT "WHO SAYS THAT IF YOU'RE DISABLED YOU'RE LESS OF A PERSON" THAT IS NOT WHAT WAS INTENDED AT ALL. I JUST GET TO SEE THE CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE DECIDED THEY ARE BURDENS AND HAVE BEEN CAST ASIDE AND INSTITUTIONALIZED. PERHAPS FOR THAT FAMILY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER DECISION TO NOT RESSUCITATE. IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE FAMILIES TO DECIDE, NOONE ELSE. THAT IS WHAT IS SAID IN MY POST.

Answer 10

baby's can survive at 26 weeks but with lots of difficulties and many unpleasant years. I think it is the parents who must decide with information given to them from the doctors.