Alderson, Priscilla; (2002) Prenatal counselling and images of disability. In: Dickenson, D, (ed.) Ethical Issues in Maternal Fetal Medicine. (pp. 195-212). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Preview

Text Alderson.Prenatal counselling_book.chapter.pdf - Accepted Version Download (280kB) | Preview

Abstract

Prenatal counselling and associated tests have become routine parts of prenatal care in many countries (Reid, 1990). The main intentions are to offer women the choice about whether to continue with a pregnancy when a fetus is impaired, and to contribute to reducing the incidence of disability with its attendant distresses and costs (HTA, 1998). This chapter reviews contrasting views about prenatal counselling, its advantages and disadvantages. Medical and counselling images of disability are compared with the views of adults who have conditions which are tested for prenatally. The evidence poses questions for bioethical reflection about the nature of disability (is it mainly physical impairment or social restrictions?) and about the possible impact of prenatal screening and counselling on maternal-fetal relationships. These questions include not only personal, mother-child relationships, but also the way that parenting generally, like pregnancy, may be becoming tentative and provisional, instead of unconditional acceptance of the child as a ’gift of God’: common in traditional rhetoric, at least, if not in practice.

Available Versions of this Item

• Prenatal counselling and images of disability. (deposited 29 May 2016 03:59)
  • Prenatal counselling and images of disability. (deposited 27 Nov 2017 10:21) [Currently Displayed]

Download activity - last month

Export as JSONCSVXML

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Archive Staff Only

View Item